What to Consider Before Purchasing a Medical Alert Device?

Healthcare Tech Outlook | Tuesday, August 31, 2021

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It's natural to experience some fear about the safety of parents and loved ones as they age. Medical alert systems are an excellent way to alleviate such concerns and minimize the risks of living independently.

FREMONT, CA: Medical alert systems are personal medical gadgets that connect consumers to medical providers or their loved ones swiftly and efficiently. They significantly increase the likelihood that seniors will receive the assistance they require in an emergency, especially if they live alone. While the systems are primarily utilized for medical emergencies, they can also safeguard elders in a fire or house invasion.

Consider the following before purchasing a medical alert device

• Make contact with emergency services or family members. Users can contact an emergency monitoring centre or preprogrammed contacts via their help buttons.
• Locate a family member in the event of an emergency. Numerous mobile devices utilize GPS and other location services to send the device's position to EMTs responding to an emergency or carriers on-demand.
• Detect and monitor movement and activity. Specific devices have motion detection technology and will automatically summon assistance if a fall is detected. Others may request a check-in if there is an absence of movements to assure that all is well.
• Assist with drug compliance. If a loved one has to take prescriptions daily, check for options like medication reminders and automated dispensers.
• Enable caregiver surveillance. Certain firms offer caretakers the ability to view the location of a loved one's device, as well as their activity and call history.

Consider the following features before purchasing a medical alert device

• Resistant to water. Is it possible to wear the wearable device in the shower or get it wet in the rain?
• Life of the battery. Does the device require charging? How long can a user go without being charged?
• Battery backup. Is a backup power supply available for the base unit in the event of a power outage?
• Range. How far away from the base unit can the users is and still have the device function properly?
• Detection of falls. Is the device equipped with motion detection to automatically notify the monitoring centre in the event of a fall?
• Connection through landline or cellular phone. Is it necessary to connect the base station to a phone jack, or can it connects via a cellular network?
• Units can be installed in-home or on wheels. Is the device functional outside the home?
• App for mobile devices or an online portal. Are there any additional features available for smart phone users or caregivers?

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