Medical alarm is a system or device that has been designed to signal any hazard that may require attention or may need summoning emergency medical personnel.
Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) and medical alert are also terms that are used for medical alarms. These systems consist of a wireless transmitter which in any emergency situation can be activated. After the activation of this medical alarm the signal will be transmitted to the central station of the alarm monitoring company’s or any other emergency agency. The signal can also set to be transmitted to programmed phone numbers if required. After the signal transmission, medical personnel or team can be dispatched to the location of the alarm activation to check and handle the situation. These medical alarms are most commonly used and suitable for disabled people or elderly people living alone.
Types of medical alarms
There are different types of devices available that can be used for triggering an alarm. These types are stated below:
- Medical alarm wireless pendants that can be worn by the person around the neck
- Wrist bands fitted with medical alarms
- Motion detectors installed in the house
- Belts containing a small device acting as a medical alert system
- Radar based detectors that may placed in a room
- Medical alarm in a smart phone
Two types of devices are there including an active device and a passive device. In case of active devices the people using it needs to trigger the device to transmit a signal about the alarming condition whereas it is not the case of passive devices. These devices monitor the person using them and transmit the alarm signal on the basis of an algorithm such as a drastic change in the heartbeat of the user, lack of activity or a fall etc. However the user needs to wear both the active or passive devices for them to work properly. The systems that are installed in the rooms or houses usually are difficult to deploy and may be more expensive.
Types of providers of medical alarms
Various facilities provide medical alarms to the users. Some of these include:
- Volunteers operating hospital programs for seniors
- Different companies providing for elderly or disabled people in their homes
- Full service providers that handle the installation, and periodic testing programs
- Individually coordinated services relying on smart phone apps for communicating alerts to a personal contact
- Closed systems run by a university organization or CCRC. [i]
Best Medical Alarms for Seniors
Medical alarms or Personal alarm systems are small wearable wristwatches, pendants or belts that can be worn by an older person and help them to get assistance if they feel ill, fall, need help, get lost, or have any other problem. So the medical alarms simply for the elderly to press a big and clear button at any time either day or night when they want help. Pressing this button will alert other people either living in the same area or a monitoring team that work 24/7 and are trained in finding out problem and arrange for the solution.
These alarms allow the elderly to remain independent as well as safe at their home. Especially during a pandemic you can make sure that your parents or elderly relatives fine and well without being present with them. The alarm devices are designed such that their set up and use is really easy and simple.
Some of the best rated medical alarms for seniors include:
SureSafe
SureSafe is a leading medical alarm provide for eldery that is offering a broad range of medical alert systems with the goal of helping seniors to live their lives fully, independently and safely. Over 170,000 people of the United Kingdoms use the services of SureSafe which are connected to two monitoring systems in UK that work daily for 24 hours.
98% of the SureSafe customers have recommended their medical alarms for others and given them the reviews of having best quality and services. They are also rated excellent for the customer experience. Their alarms provide the benefits of standard boasting fall detection, the ability to talk to alarm responder and mobile technology which allows the alarm to be used anywhere (in or out of the home).
- Taking Care
Taking Care is another personal medical alarm service. They also provide the Age Co alarm exclusively. They have been working since 2008 helping about 170,000 individuals to stay safely in their homes and supporting seniors and their families.
Taking Care provide a broad range of alerting products which can be utilized at home or out of the home, medical alarms with fall sensors and those having GPS alarms. Their alarms are associated with UK-based Emergency centers that provide 24-hour monitoring. The average response time to alarm alerts has been recorded to be about 6.2 seconds, thus you can be sure that the help will be available to you within time.
Lifeline24
Another medical alarm brand is the Lifeline24. They provide life-saving services for most elderly and disabled individuals of UK. Their products are simple, easy to use and affordable. Their 24 hour operating response centre is located in the UK. You can avail their services all 365 days of the year. Lifeline24 has maintained a 5-star rating from more than 5,000 customers.
Telecare 24
Telecare24 is a provider of national careline alarms. They are committed to allow you to have a peace of mind by keeping you safe and your close ones ensured about your safety. Most customers of Telecare 24 have given positive reviews for their medical alarm systems. Personal alarms from this company have the features of being easy to use, comfortable to wear, and lightweight. The user can have the help available by just pressing a button. The device also has a fall alarm plan in which the device can sense if the wearer falls and automatically calls for help.
SECOM CareTech
SECOM CareTech provides medical alarms that are simple, durable, and reliable. With these alarms, a predetermined family or neighbour’s list will automatically be contacted on pressing the button. In case no one responds SECOM’s monitoring team will be contacted. SECOM CareTech’s alarms can be rented, thus the user only has to pay monitoring costs and repairs or replacements are free. [ii]
[i] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_alarm
[ii] https://www.agespace.org/personal-alarms-for-the-elderly
