Emergency Alert Systems: How to Choose the Right One

Emergency Alert Systems (EAS’s) can give you and your parents peace of mind. They allow the person to live independently but still have access to emergency services if necessary. If you’ve decided that this is what your parent(s) need(s), then you might be wondering how to choose the right one. Following is some information that may help.

EAS Types

First of all, there are various types of EA systems. Most of them consist of a central monitor that looks like a router or baby monitor. Then the person wears a belt clip, necklace, or wristband (sometimes all three) to allow him or her immediate access to emergency services.

* “Panic Button” – These types of EAS’s require you to push a button to get help. This can be ideal in the event of a fall, burn, or other problem. However, the user must be conscious and able to push the button, and he or she must understand how it works. For people with dementia or Alzheimer’s, learning new information like this can be nearly impossible. Also, if the person is unconscious, he or she cannot push the button, obviously.

* Personal Emergency Response Systems – Not unlike the call button in a hospital room, these types of EA systems respond to callers by routing them to a monitoring center. The staff at the monitoring center determine whether or not help should be called, and what sort of help is necessary. For instance, the staff try to talk to the caller to find out the problem and respond accordingly. If there is no answer, the monitoring center will send emergency services to the residence.

* Direct Calling to 911 – With this type of system, the elderly person uses the EAS to call directly to 911. This may seem ideal at first, but bear in mind that a “middle man” (monitoring center) can help a lot in determining the right kind of help that’s needed. Also, a monitoring center can contact family members to let them know what’s going on. EAS’s that call directly to 911 may help the user get help faster, though.

Other Things to Consider

As you look around for the right EAS, find out what the company’s cancellation policy is. Some companies have a contract, not unlike cell phones.

It’s also a good idea to find out where the call center/monitoring center is located. If it’s located overseas, there could be a language barrier that could affect your loved one’s ability to communicate to the staff and understand what’s being said.

Cost is, of course, another factor. You will find that most EAS’s cost between $25 to $35 each month, but you may be locked into a contract.