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Which senior medical alert system is best?
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Posted by subru (My Page) on Sat, Jan 5, 08 at 23:56
Hi, we are in the beginning stages of trying to find a medical alert system that will allow my elderly mother to live alone but with some emergency help if needed. Our heads are spinning from reading the ads on the internet. Does anyone have an opinion about where to turn? Can you refer us to a site where they impartially review these systems? There's alot at stake and I'm not comfortable relying on the folks trying to make a buck.
I haven't been on gardenweb for 3 years but LOVED the intelligent feedback I got on the Kitchen site.
subru |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Which senior medical alert system is best?
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| LIFELINE is the doctor, hospital, caregivers recommended alert system here - monitor plus the bracelet or necklace is available through any local medical supply company. Have personal experience with it with a 96 year old aunt who was still independent and in her own apartment. After going through a little rehab, one of the conditions of her being allowed to go back to her own home was to have Lifeline. In the two years it was in use - she managed to roll over on the necklace twice alerting the monitors who are on duty 24hrs. a day. The monitoring staff call the apartment/home first. If there's no answer, they contact whoever is on the client's contact list. In my case, I'd get the call, would run over and make sure everything was okay and reset the monitor which would let Lifeline know everything was okay. If a contact, etc. couldn't be reached, firemen or first responder team is sent to check things out. There's quite a bit of info on the internet and doctors and nurses you might come into contact with would be familiar with the system. Seems like the monthly fee was @$40 a couple of years ago. Well worth the peace of mind. |
RE: Which senior medical alert system is best?
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| Talk to your Dr or medical supply center or even a pharmacist. Your social service department at the hospital may help. Be aware of sales personal coming to the house as they will sell you their product only. You might even talk to someone at different nursing homes/assisted living facilities. Senior centers may have additional help. |
RE: Which senior medical alert system is best?
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| And BE SURE to find out where the call center is located. One of the really large, well-advertised companies USED to have their emergency center in my neighborhood. Guess where your emergency alerts are now routed and handled? Yep--India. And I've heard they're not the only ones who have outsourced that important job. I'm not sure I want to rely on someone in another country, who may have limited English, to get me the emergency help I, or a loved family member, need when seconds matter. |
RE: Which senior medical alert system is best?
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| We use ADT-- the security/alarm company. Mom and Dad's house is monitored with one of their alarms, so it was very easy to add this monitor too. So far Dad has fallen at least 3 times where he pushed the panic pendant around his neck and they sent the EMT's and called me immediately to tell me that he'd fallen. The negative- they can't communicate directly with the patient, definitely not like "On Star" where there's two way communication. Oh well, at least they're intelligent and speak perfect English. I'm sure that they're not located offshore. |
RE: Which senior medical alert system is best?
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| Hello: I picked up one of these for my Father-in-law from a company called Connect America. They have an A+ rating with the BBB and were recommended by Good House Keeping. So far so good and the system works as advertised. It's less than $30 a month and theres no cost for the equipment. They have a website if anyone is interested.
http://www.MedicalAlert.com Regards,
Pete |
Here is a link that might be useful: Medical Alert
RE: Which senior medical alert system is best?
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| Uh, Peter, you've made the same post for this company in several different threads. If you want to advertise for this company, whether you work for them or not, you need to contact iVillage about it. |
RE: Which senior medical alert system is best?
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| I use a company called MyEMT. What makes them so good is the fact that they have Certified EMT's that answer the phone and not just operators. They know exactly what to do in emergency situations and have a complete list of medical history, medications, etc. all on file. Hands down the best system out there!! I pay about 34.95 per month. check them out at www.myemt.net 1-877-546-9777 |
RE: Which senior medical alert system is best?
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| I've heard a lot of horror stories about ADT. I would recommend anyone but them. However, I do like the idea of security company monitoring. Get quotes from various security companies. You get to talk to a real person rather than internet ads. If you still want internet reviews, consumer reports has always been pretty reliable. |
Here is a link that might be useful: International travel insurance
RE: Which senior medical alert system is best?
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| Another spam post. You've been busy, Seniorscoot. |
RE: Which senior medical alert system is best?
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| I actually work for a security company and install medical alert systems. I've heard several horror stories about ADT security systems which is why I recommend a security company that is not ADT. |
RE: Which senior medical alert system is best?
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| So what does that have to do with International Travel Insurance? Looks like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, which is why I called it spam. ;-) |
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