The main reason people purchase a home security system is because they seek to protect their property and valuables. But sometimes the most precious thing is your relative’s well-being. Medical alert services excel when it comes to fast and professional reaction, and having a state-of-the art personal emergency unit in an elder’s home puts the mind of seniors and their family members at ease. But is it really necessary to have a home security and medical alert system in one household simultaneously? Does one substitute the other? Or is it enough to simply own a panic button? This article might shed some light on these questions.
The quick answer is: no. A common misconception that medical alert services and home security systems are basically the same, only the equipment differs. It’s true that both of them operate a monitoring center where skilled operators are being contacted in an emergency, and the staff also dispatches the police or paramedics if the situation calls for it. But just because a security company claims they help in medical-related issues too, doesn’t mean that their service is capable of providing quality eldercare.
Medical monitoring is much more than just having an operator to call the emergency personnel instead of you. Their monitoring staff is specially trained in medical terminology, and they learned how to approach life-threatening scenarios. Most medical alert companies also store your personal data on file, and they share it with the paramedics to ensure they arrive prepared.
There is also a significant difference in the equipment features. Home security companies only present a simple panic button, which is the equivalent of the standard help button. But most medical alert companies also fitted their help button with fall detection technology that senses when the carrier suddenly collapses, and automatically sends a distress signal. Falling is one of the most common dangers that can easily occur while elders are having a shower or taking the stairs, and losing consciousness after the fall could prevent someone from pushing the panic button.
In case you wish to protect your aging relative or recovering family member, but also want to defend their home, the wisest choice is to search for a security company that specifically states to have medical monitoring expertise. Providing a panic button is not enough, the important factor is the monitoring service. Fortunately, there are a number of companies that branched out to medical alert care. Monitronics and AlarmForce are two examples.
Monitronics offers two systems: HomeTouch Care is the basic version where numerous home security solutions are tied together with medical alert monitoring. The help button doesn’t have fall detection, but this flaw can be ironed out with the HomeTouch Care Plus, where an indoor video camera and two-way voice capability can help the person to request help. AlarmForce is a home security company that created AlarmCare as a means to help elders. It has two deals, and the monitoring center is claimed to be designed for medical alert purposes only. The advanced alert plan includes a fall detection pendant, and the base console is providing the residents helpful voice prompts.
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