Why Your Child Needs a Medical Alert System

Kids would probably have the most difficulty calling for assistance or even realizing the need for it before it’s too late, especially the youngest of them. Add in something like diabetes or even a milder form of autism into the mix and the lives of parents can become unending days of worry and stress. However, there is a simple solution for this, one that doesn’t break the bank no less. Equipping a child with a medical alert system will help parents breathe a bit easierwhenever the child is out of sight.

What health conditions warrant the use of a medical alert system?

It’s tricky to pin down exactly what should be covered here. Consider this: is your child in danger of falling, fainting, or becoming otherwise incapacitated, confused, or lost? Comparatively mild conditions such as anemia more than warrant the use of an emergency button, especially one with fall detection, but so do genetic disorders like Down syndrome or physical and neurological conditions like a heart disease and epilepsy.

How does a medical alert button work?

While this depends on what equipment you choose, the basic principles are the same though: the button enables the wearer to immediately reach an operator who will send help. Be careful to subscribe to a trustworthy provider though, one that employs trained operators and has its own call center.

You will definitely need a mobile system with GPS tracking and make sure to consider what service would suit the situation best. For example, some companies do not store the medical history of the wearer, while others don’t let you customize your emergency plan. This would make things difficult if the child only needed a lift but got a team of paramedics buzzing around them instead.

There are providers that offer great caretaker tools online or as smartphone apps, too. Since the wearer is a child, the safest bet would probably be to go for an all-in-one system that allows them to communicate with the operator directly instead of carrying around a mobile station as well as a wearable button. Depending on their health condition, fall detection could be a good idea to invest in as well.

My child has a cellphone, isn’t that enough?

A cellphone can be perfectly adequate in allowing the kid to call for help when necessary. However, it should be enough for a teenager with diabetes or a physical disability to wear a medical ID bracelet, watch sleeve, shoelace piece, or whatever fancy accessory. But for younger children, a medical alert button is easier and safer to use. It doesn’t require them to fiddle around with their cellphones, struggle with time-consuming explanations in potentially traumatic situations, or knowing which number to call.

Simply pushing the button will put them into immediate contact with trained professionals, who will be able to quickly discern the type of assistance needed, even if the child cannot or will not talk.

If the equipment has fall detection, then the child will not even need to push the button at all. However, keep in mind that the sensor only works if the person remains motionless after the accident. Parents, teachers, paramedics, or the police can be alerted within a minute or two, depending on the situation.

My kid won’t wear the button. What should i do?

There are two viable solutions to consider. Either have them carry the pendant in their bag or pockets, although this will obviously not provide the same level of protection as wearing it.

The other option is to go for something trendy that they would not refuse, such as a smartwatch. Medical Guardian and MobileHelp both have great products for you to check out in this regard.