When it comes to choosing the best medical alarms to have if you want to stay independent you are going to have to research several companies in order to find the medical alarm system service provider that provides you with the features that you are looking for at a price that you can be comfortable paying. Not all people have the same needs when it comes to living an independent life once we reach our senior years. Some have more needs than others and will need to look closely at their options in order to choose a company that can truly allow them to feel safe while at home. As you begin your search for the best medical alarms, consider the following important factors. After you have had all of your questions answered you will be ready to purchase and begin using your medical alarm as your way of staying independent.

As you are looking for the best medical alarm for you, keep the following points to look out for in mind. You are putting a lot of trust in your medical alarm and should know exactly what you will be agreeing to and receiving before making a commitment to a service agreement.

1. Know your payments up-front – Some medical alarm companies will ask for payment of the first several months up-front or will charge you extra for not fulfilling the term of your contract. Make sure you know what all of the charges and possible charges will be.

2. You get what you pay for – You do not want to base your decision to buy purely based on price. Not all medical alert providers offer the level of quality that you expect.
   

3. Is there a satisfaction guarantee? – It is not too much to ask that your medical alert system provider give you a trial period with the system. If a company is sure about the quality of their product and service team there should be no reason why this request cannot be met. (Note: if you choose a company that offers a trial period be sure to test out the system, see how quickly it takes for an operator to answer your distress call, make sure that the operator can be heard from all rooms of your house, etc.)

4. Ask about outsourcing – Some medical alert systems outsource either their monitoring center. There are excellent monitoring centers that are company owned and operated, and there are excellent third party monitoring centers that specialize in medical alerts. Any monitoring center should have multiple independent third party inspections , such as Underwriters Laboratories, Factory Mutual, Central Station Alarm Association, Department of Defense etc.
   

5. 24/7 customer and technical support – Just as local emergency support teams are available 24/7 your medical alarm team should have a 24/7 customer support line as well. It is never a convenient time when your system may stop working; make sure that the medical alarm company that you choose has an efficient way to handle any problems at any time.

6. Repair and replacement services – Different medical alarm companies will have different length warranties on their products. Some companies only offer 1 year warranties while others guarantee system repair and replacement as part of your service for as long as you are a customer. This service is just one example of how a medical alarm company might entice you with low monthly payments, but ultimately you are going to get cut short somewhere else.

You can call or look online to find a number of medical alarm companies that offer services in your area. Remember to weigh your decision carefully and to get all of your questions answered before committing to anything.

howard :: Mar.24.2008 :: Medical Alert :: No Comments »

Medical alarm systems are tricky to sort through and rate because each company that you look into is going to tell you that they are the best. While one company claims to be the “most popular” medical alarm system, another could claim to be the “top rated” medical alarm system. With such creative liberties in how companies promote their product, it is hard to look through the façade that each of them creates in order to really get down to what their company can offer you.

What may work for one person does not always work for another person. And even if there were one perfect medical alarm system out there, it may be too expensive to afford for everyone. What your review of medical alarm systems should really boil down to is, “What medical alarm system is the best for you?” It is ok if you do not know. It is common for most people just staring to look into a medical alarm system to be unsure of what exactly they are looking for. To help aid you in your search below you will find a list of characteristics and features that a good medical alarm system should possess.

What does it take to be a top notch medical alarm system?

You should not be required to pre-pay anything, nor should your standard monthly fees be variable.

• You should be given ample time to review and ask questions about anything that you are required to sign or verbally agree to. A good medical alarm service provider should have nothing to hide in fine print.
• Life safety services are not cheap, so if you think that the price that you are being asked to pay for your medical alert system is too low, you should be suspicious. When it comes down to life-saving devices you do not want to compromise quality for the sake of being frugal.
• Good medical alarm systems offer better and more diverse customer testimonials rather than solely investing their advertising dollar in paid celebrity endorsers.
• A good medical alarm system will offer a money-back guarantee and trial period. A money-back guarantee and trial will allow you to see first hand if your medical system is the right fit for you. If you are not satisfied, you should be able to turn in your system and get your money back without any kind of financial penalty. A company that stands by their product will be more than happy to allow you to see for yourself that they are the best.
• A top medical alarm system company is self sufficient. Although it is possible to find good medical alarm providers who outsource or have small operations, your best bet is going to be to find a company that has been in the medical alarm business long enough to have developed a name for themselves. Additionally, the level of service provided to the customer is far superior if all of the operations are managed by the same company.
• You should have the peace of mind that your medical alarm system will be operational and that your monitoring center will be adequately staffed 24 hours a day and 7 days a week and not just during the day.
• In the case of an emergency you need a well-trained group of individuals to help you. Look into the training process for the operators at the monitoring center and ask questions to ensure that you will be comfortable with who will be assigned to help you contact what could be life-saving assistance.

Of all the medical alarm systems available, the best way to find the right one for you is to review as many of your possible options as possible. After all, you will be glad that you took the time to make this decision carefully if you ever need to use your medical alarm system.

howard :: Mar.24.2008 :: Medical Alarms :: No Comments »

Medical alarm systems are systems that are designed to help someone get in touch with emergency services if an emergency renders them unable to get to or use the telephone.
Medical alarm systems are most commonly used by those who are above the age of 65 and want to feel safe while remaining independent in their own homes, rather than having to move to an assisted living facility.

Medical alarms have some common denominators that are fairly standard no matter what medical alarm system company that you choose to do business with. One key element to medical alarm systems is that there is some sort of portable button that can be carried or worn on your person at all times. When pushed, this button should connect you, hands free, with the monitoring service that connected your medical alert system. Two-way communication should take place between the operator and the customer in order to determine what sort of assistance is needed. This two way communication is facilitated by a voice-box transmitter that is another important piece of equipment that should come with every medical alert system. The operator at the monitoring center then contacts medical services or safety officers, depending on the nature of the distress call.

Not all medical alarm systems are exactly the same as far as the features that they offer. Some medical alarm systems come with all of the bells and whistles while others come with minimum features but correspondingly have a much more appealing price. For example, some medical alarm system pendant buttons are very small and lightweight, making them more comfortable to wear at all times. Other less expensive medical alarms come with bulkier or later model pieces of equipment. Some transmitters and buttons have long range capabilities. This means that you may be able to step out of your home to check the mail or to do some gardening and you will still be able to send a distress signal. Some companies have been in business for 20 years or more while other are brand new web only businesses . From just these few examples, you can see that although the concepts behind the use of a medical alarm system are simple, choosing which medical alarm system that is right for you is an entirely different challenge all together.

As you begin to take a closer look at medical alarm systems it is important to ask yourself what features are most important to you. Do you have a budget? Are you willing to spend more in order to get fancy features or a company that has made a name for themselves in the industry? Why are you getting a medical alarm system in the first place? Do you want more than just an operator on the other end of the voice-box that you have in your home? Some medical alarm systems offer the services of nurses (or paramedics) so that you do not have to wait for an emergency to get help, you can be counseled right through your medical alarm system without penalty or additional fees. Write down the specific needs that you have and make sure that you look to find companies that are able to accommodate you specifically. Realize that there may be no such thing as a perfect match, but make sure that you settle for the best medical alarm system that you can possibly afford.

By taking the time to look into medical alarm systems and to educate yourself on how they work and what features you are most eager to have, you can make a decision that you are confident with and that will allow for you to live an independent and worry-free life while still enjoying the comfort of your own home.

howard :: Mar.24.2008 :: Medical Alarms :: No Comments »

Many seniors lament their aging not because of their gray hair or bad hearing but because of their struggle to stay independent due to common senior safety concerns. However, there are some easy changes you can make in your home to help ensure safety with senior and elderly problems in mind. Here are just a few of the easy changes you can make:

Install a home security system. One of the common safety concerns for seniors is the fact that they are less able to defend themselves, and people prey upon them because of it. Most burglaries occur during the day. So, do a few of these things to reduce your chances of being a senior victim:

1. • Trim trees and shrubs to eliminate hiding places for thieves.
   • Keep the exterior of your home well lit.
   • Make it difficult for an intruder to enter.
   • Make sure windows are locked.
   • Secure the basement and attic windows.
   • Make your answering machine seem like someone else lives there.

Think slip prevention. One of the biggest safety concerns for senior is slipping. It is common for seniors to have more trips and falls. A lot of this comes as a result of decreased eyesight, and not as much mobility. However, slipping can cause fragile bones to break, and damage to occur. So, do some of the following simple things:

· Install grab bars in the shower and tub areas to help stabilize yourself in the slippery areas of your home.

· Do not use lotions or oils when in the tub.

· Have non-slip rugs near areas where there may be water, such as sinks and bathroom areas.

· Make sure any throw rugs are secured with double-sided tape.

· Wear rubber soled shoes that fit your feet well, and are easy to wear.

· Pick your feet up higher.

· Make sure lighting is good anywhere there are stairs, entry ways, etc.

Think Medical Emergency Preparedness. The fact is that as you age your chances of a medical emergency increase, and you do not want to find yourself lying on the floor helpless with no way to get help. The following are some simple things you can do in your home to help you think about and prepare for emergency medical situations:

· Keep a cordless phone on your person or near your person whenever possible. This way you are not trying to crawl across the floor with a broken hip to get to a wall mount phone.

· Install phones in every room so that should an emergency happen, you have access to help nearby.

· Consider using a medical alert system such as First Alert to protect you from being alone and helpless if a problem does occur.

· Make a list of all medications you take, and who your doctor is, as well as all other emergency contact information and keep it in your purse, in your home, in your car, etc. to help should an accident occur.

Many of the changes you can make in your home to help ensure safety as a senior are simple. They are things like making sure your furniture is easy to get in and out of, arranging it in a way that allows you clear passage through rooms even if there is poor lighting, putting reflective tape on stairs so you can see where one ends and another begins, etc.

howard :: Mar.22.2008 :: Senior Safety :: No Comments »

When you want to be safe at home as a senior, there are some things you have to consider. Problems that face seniors are very different from the problems that face others. So, to ensure your safety, go over this home safety checklist:

• Do you have poor lighting?

Good lighting on stairs, and anywhere the elevation changes can reduce your chance of falling. It is also smart to add bright strips of tape to the edge of each stair to help you see the stairs better. Another part of lighting is having access to lights. So you have switches in easy to reach places, at both ends of the hallways, etc.? Well you should. Consider putting a night light in the bathroom to make night trips to the bathroom easier.

• Do you have throw rugs?

While throw rugs can protect your carpet and look really nice, they are not great for senior safety, they are a tripping hazard. If you are not going to get rid of them, then at least make sure the edges are secure, and fastened down with adhesive, double-stick tape. If they slide at all, fix the problem, or get rid of them.

• Are walkways clear?

Clutter can be hazardous, even things like shoes, electrical cords, and the newspaper can be hazardous. Furniture too. Organize, rearrange, and make things easier.

• Are regularly used items in easy reach?

You are asking for trouble if items you use regularly are hard to get to. Make sure you have items you use often on shelves between hip and eye level.

• Are your floors slippery?

Do you have spills that go un-wiped? Do you have hard wood with rugs without non-slip pads? You want to make sure you have non-skid mats on the floor around sinks, tubs, etc. to keep them from being slippery.

• Can you get in and out of the tub easily?

Slips usually occur in the bathroom for seniors. So, install grab bars or handrails in the shower, on walls around the bathtub, where necessary. If mobility is difficult for you, then be sure to use raised seat and safety rails for toilet use.

• Do you have furniture that is difficult to get in and out of?

If you want to ensure safety and the ability to get to the phone if there is a problem, make sure you have firm chairs, with armrests, and good back support so you can get in and out easily.

• Are your phones easy to access?

If something were to happen to you, you would need to call for help, so make sure your phones are easy to get to. Consider a PERS (personal emergency response system). By pushing a single button, which you usually wear around your neck, you can summon help. This eliminates the worry of having an in-home injury without being able to reach a phone, and means not worrying that you may lie on the floor helpless and in fear.

• Are your shoes designed for fashion of function?

As you get older you are more prone to disorientation, slipping, falling, etc. So, wearing shoes that are supportive, properly fitted, non-skid, and rubber-soled means decreased likelihood of this.

There are many more things to consider:

• Use fireproof curtains on windows near the stove.

• Clearly mark the “off” position on stoves and ranges so a person with diminished eyesight can immediately tell if the element is off.

• When cooking, don’t wear loose fitting or flammable clothes. Long sleeves can catch fire easily.

• Be sure to tie your hair up before cooking with any open flames, or wear it short.

• Install smoke detectors in the kitchen and throughout the house.

• Keep a fire extinguisher handy and know how to use it.

• Set water heater thermostats or faucets so water does not scald the skin.

As a senior, safety should come first. If you want to continue to live in your home, and if you want to maintain your independence, then you need to make precautionary changes to your home and lifestyle so as to ensure your safety.

howard :: Mar.22.2008 :: Senior Safety :: No Comments »

A medical alarm system is many things. Technically a medical alarm system is a system that is installed in the home that includes a receiver and a mobile pendant or button. If there is an accident in the home the wearer of the pendant needs only to push the button and the operator on the other end of the receiver signal will be able to help to connect you with emergency services. A medical alarm is also a key reason why many older or disabled individuals are able to maintain their independence by staying at home. Medical alarm systems also provide peace of mind to the loved ones who cannot be there to watch their family member who has special needs or who may be more susceptible to accidents.

A medical alarm system – the technical definition

Although all medical alarm systems are not created equal, they are all basically the same in the way that they are operated. The resident of the home (customer) is given a pendant with a button that when pushed triggers a call to the monitoring facility. The monitoring facility then uses the base unit located somewhere in your home to communicate with you wirelessly. The operator asks you what your emergency is and connects you with the proper authorities. Of course, in the case that you are unable to speak or cannot communicate with the operator it is assumed that you are in need of emergency help and medical dispatch is notified immediately. Not only can a medical alarm system notify the proper authorities for you, but they can also help provide assistance teams with the personal, medical and contact information that can help to make the experience more efficient.

A medical alarm system – to help you feel safe and independent

Of course you want to be able to stay in your home and live each day as you please. But sometimes living alone can be frightening especially if you feel cut-off from the outside world. Accidents happen and it is a real fear that many senior citizens have that they will take a fall and not be able to call for help. Such worries can be enough to motivate someone to move out of their beloved home in order to safeguard their own life. Fortunately there are alternatives to living in a retirement community. A medical alarm system is designed to provide you with the access to help that you want and need in order to feel safe and independent. A good medical alarm will provide the user with 24/7 access to a monitoring center. So there is no need to bother family members or friends in the middle of the night if you are feeling unwell or uneasy for any reason. Constant access to a monitoring center is not only comforting in the case of a medical emergency, but your medical alarm can be used for other emergencies as well. This includes being able to notify the authorities in the case of a burglary or other disaster where your safety is compromised. A medical alarm is the reassurance that many seniors need to know that they can go about living their lives the way that they want to without fear.

A medical alarm system – it is the peace of mind that your loved ones are looking for

Medical alarm systems are the safeguard that many families are looking for when their older loved one insists on living at home. A medical alarm system is the answer to many family’s problems, fears and worries because a medial alarm can always be there for the older loved one at any time.

howard :: Dec.20.2007 :: Medical Alarms :: No Comments »