Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
(Click on a question to go directly to the answer)- What is a Personal Emergency Response/Medical Alert System?
- Why would I want a Personal Emergency Response/Medical Alert System?
- Can I wear the help button in the tub/shower?
- What happens if the power goes out?
- Can I bring the system with me if I move?
- How will a Personal Emergency Response/Medical Alert System effect my independence?
- How do I hook it up?
- I have DSL Internet, will that pose any problems for the service?
- Will your emergency response system work with my Comcast, Metrocast, Time Warner, Cox, Charter or Vonage Digital/Voice Over IP (VoIP) Phone System?
- I only have a cell phone, can I still get a system?
- Is a Personal Emergency Response/Medical Alert System complicated to use?
- Do I have to be in the same room as the communicator for it to work?
- What if the monitoring center is unable to hear me?
- What if I press my button by mistake?
- If the ambulance is dispatched and my home is locked, how will they get in to help me?
- What is a responder?
- Is it expensive?
What is a Personal Emergency Response/Medical Alert System?
A Personal Emergency Response System (or PERS) is a marriage of modern communication and computer technology with specially trained response personnel. Your home is monitored electronically by a button worn on the wrist or around the neck. When the button is pressed, it sends a radio signal to a base unit which sends an emergency signal through your phone line to the monitoring center. There, a trained professional receives the call and responds via the base unit which functions as a speaker phone. If you cannot respond or respond by asking for help, local help is dispatched immediately.
Back to TopWhy would I want a Personal Emergency Response/Medical Alert System?
Think of it as insurance. You may never need it, but if you do you'll be glad you have it. It is reassuring to know that if you have a sudden illness or injury, help will be on the way in a matter of minutes, even if you cannot move or speak. Even if you have a neighbor or family members or a visiting nurse checking in, you are still left unprotected when they are not there. A fall could leave you alone and without help for many hours. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that people found within one hour of a fall are five times more likely to survive than those who remain helpless.
Back to TopCan I wear the help button in the tub/shower?
Yes. The personal help button that you wear around your neck, or on your wrist is waterproof. You can wear it in the tub or shower or whenever you are working around water. Many falls happen in the bathroom, so we recommend that you keep your personal help button on at all times.
Back to TopWhat happens if the power goes out?
Our Personal Emergency Response Systems are equipped with a back-up battery so that if the power goes out, they will continue to function up to 96 hours. Once power is restored, the unit battery will recharge. In addition, should the power outage extend long-term, the Personal Emergency Response System will automatically notify the monitoring center when the back-up battery becomes critically low.
Back to TopCan I bring the system with me if I move?
Yes. If you move, simply unhook the equipment and bring it to your new residence. Give us a call and we will have a Service Representative come out and hook-up the system and get updated information for the new address.
Back to TopHow will a Personal Emergency Response/Medical Alert System effect my independence?
If anything, a PERS will enable you to preserve your independence by giving you the ability to live in your own home even as you age and acquire health problems. We can help you do that safely. You and your loved ones will be able to rest easy knowing that whenever you need help, we will be there. You are able to press your button whenever you need help, and you can tell us who you would like us to call. You are in complete control.
Back to TopHow do I hook it up?
You will not need to. Within 24-48 hours of placing your order, one of our professionally trained service representatives will deliver the system to your home, hook it up, test it and show you how to use it. They will also collect all the personal and medical data for the monitoring center. This information can be changed or updated at any time.
Back to TopI have DSL Internet, will that pose any problems for the service?
As long as you have the proper filters installed (contact your Internet Service Provider regarding any questions on DSL filters and their installation), you should have no problems with your emergency response system.
Back to TopWill your emergency response system work with my Comcast, Metrocast, Time Warner, Cox, Charter or Vonage Digital/Voice Over IP (VoIP) Phone System?
Digital/Voice Over IP (VoIP) phone systems have been increasing in popularity, mainly due to their cost savings over traditional landline-based phone service. While traditional landline-based phone service is the ideal service for a Personal Emergency Response System, we have been able to make adjustments to our systems so they will work with Digital/VoIP Phone Systems. The main concern with Digital/VoIP service at this time is that if the power goes out you will lose phone service. Without phone service, the Personal Emergency Response System is unable to contact the monitoring center. Some Digital/VoIP modems have an 8 hour back-up battery (check with your digital phone provider to see what you have at your home), but after that battery drains, phone service will be lost and your emergency response system will no longer be able to reach the monitoring center.
Back to TopI only have a cell phone, can I still get a system?
Many people are electing to discontinue their traditional or digital-based phone service in favor of cell phones. To address this growing market, we have recently added a Cell-Based Emergency Response System to our product line. This system functions exactly like a traditional PERS, however it connects to our monitoring center via cellular technology. Visit our Products page for more information.
Back to TopIs a Personal Emergency Response/Medical Alert System complicated to use?
Not at all. Our service representative will show you how to use your system and answer any questions you may have. All you have to do is press the help button that you wear on your wrist or around your neck. Your base unit dials the monitoring center and within seconds a trained professional is speaking to you over the unit.
Back to TopDo I have to be in the same room as the communicator for it to work?
No. You can be in a different room, on a different floor or in many cases even outside in your yard. Our service representative will test the system both indoors and outdoors to show you exactly how far your coverage extends. Your button is completely waterproof so you should keep it on at all times, even in the shower or bath.
Back to TopWhat if the monitoring center is unable to hear me?
We treat ALL signals as emergencies whether or not we are able to hear someone over the system. A common example is: A person goes outside to their mailbox, they fall in the driveway and are unable to get up. They press their button and activate their system. We get a signal at the monitoring center, but no response over the base unit. Our protocol at that point is to phone the home to rule out a accidental activation or in case someone else is at the home who can investigate further. If we do not get a response from the phone call, we will then start calling responders until we get someone out to the home to make sure that everything is okay. We can work with you to set-up a call order that best suits your needs.
Back to TopWhat if I press my button by mistake?
It is not a problem. The first thing the monitoring center does is to contact you over the speaker in your base unit. Simply tell them it was an accident. Buttons are always being pushed accidentally by our clients - or by pets or grandchildren! The operator will just check-in with you and then if all is well, sign off. All the signals are sent via an 800 number, so there is never any charge.
Back to TopIf the ambulance is dispatched and my home is locked, how will they get in to help me?
You have several options. You can give one of your responders a key and we can arrange to have them meet the emergency services at your door. Alternatively, you can disclose the location of a hidden key to us and our monitoring center can let the emergency services know where this is when they arrive. We also offer lockboxes for purchase or a small additional monthly fee. A lockbox is a heavy-duty strongbox that attaches to your doorknob. A four-digit combination lock opens a compartment that houses a spare key. We can provide the combination code to the emergency services when they arrive. Please see our Products page for more information.
Back to TopWhat is a responder?
A responder is typically a relative, friend or neighbor who lives within 15 minutes of you, is willing to help you if needed and could get to you in the event of an emergency. For example, if you fell in your kitchen and were unharmed, but needed help getting back up, you could push your button and ask the response center to send your next door neighbor over to give you a hand.
Back to TopIs it expensive?
The service is very affordable, little more than a dollar a day. We do not charge for repairs or any maintenance that the unit may require. There is no limit to the number of times you may press your button. There is no long-term contract. If for any reason you wish to discontinue service, we will send out one of our service technicians to pick up the unit.
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