Millions of people rely on medical alert systems to call for assistance in emergencies. This is a lifeline that is vital regardless of age group or gender.
Unfortunately, because there are a number of different medical alert systems to consider, it can be difficult to determine which is most appropriate for you.
Here are just a few of the most popular options and the benefits they can offer, depending on your circumstances.
Home Systems
This is the most widely used type of medical alert system and is available to the majority of people, so long as you have a landline phone connection available.
The system itself will be linked to your phone line, but does not require that you are tethered to it physically. Instead, a small, portable call button is kept on your person so that if a problem arises, you can be put through to an emergency operator in under a minute without having to get to the handset or base station itself.
The limits of such a system are obvious since it will only work within your home. If leaving the house is not something you do regularly, this can be effective and inexpensive.
Animal Solutions
Animals trained to help those with chronic illnesses are increasingly common. Having a medical alert dog, for example, can provide a range of benefits that go beyond merely getting the assistance you need in a dilemma.
Dogs can be directed to look out for the telltale signs of a problem arising with their owner, even before they are aware of it themselves. This can prompt them to take swift action, or even give the owner a reminder that they should seek treatment if they are able to do so.
Service animals are not just for medical emergencies, but can also help with other issues, including mental illnesses that result in potentially problematic episodes.
The downside with an alert dog or another service animal is that it is impossible for them to keep watch at all times, since they are limited by their physical capabilities. They work best when used in conjunction with an electronic solution.
Mobile Systems
For people who want to remain active and still have a safety net in the event of an emergency, it is best to take advantage of a mobile medical alert system.
Contemporary services make use of mobile phone networking as well as global positioning satellite connectivity so that it is possible for responders to pinpoint your location and reach you if problems occur when you are on the move.
For both home-based and mobile systems, another consideration that should shape your purchasing decision is whether you want to opt for a fully monitored solution or not. A subscription fee may apply for systems that are linked to operators around the clock, while unmonitored systems can automatically call friends or relatives without the guarantee of receiving a reply.
Medical alert systems have been shown to offer benefits to patients, with annual sales topping $20 billion. This explains the great interest and rapid evolution within this industry.
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