Home Medical Alert Systems - Keeping Your Aging Parents Safe

Do you have aging parents that live alone? If you do, then chances are you have found yourself worrying about them. You worry if they are ok by themselves. You worry about what they will do if they have a problem and can't get to a phone. For these and many other reasons, you may have considered one of the many home medical alert systems on the market as a way to keep your elderly loved one safe.

Do your aging parents need a home medical alert system?

Part of the aging process includes increased frailty, and increased chance of accidents. All it takes is one fall for an elderly person to end up with months of hospitalizations, medical bills, rehabilitation, and more. In addition, the elderly are more likely to have medical issues that may require immediate attention. And there are, of course, a host of other problems that can come up as well, from a furnace going out in the middle of winter, to a tree falling due to a thunderstorm. They may need help, and not be able to reach a phone. Whatever the reason, it is easy to see why your aging parents need to be able to contact help quickly if needed; the kind of help that home medical alert systems can provide.

Choose a home medical alert system that is right for your senior

Trying to sort through the hundreds of home medical alert systems can be overwhelming and confusing. Careful research of all of the features of the systems being considered is an important first step in choosing the best one for your aging parents. The best way to start is by learning how these systems are designed to work.

You will find that most home medical alert systems fall into two different categories: those that come with 24/7 monitoring services, and those that provide equipment only, but no service.

Home medical alert systems with monitoring service

Home medical alert systems that provide a monitoring service will usually include a service agreement between the customer and the monitoring company. These types of systems work like this: if the alert device is activated, the monitoring system is notified, and they in turn, contact the designated people and/or emergency personnel.

An important consideration when choosing a system with monitoring is that they are typically more expensive than products without. There will be a monthly fee charged for this service, which can be in the range of $30-40 per month, in addition to an installation or activation fee.

Home medical alert systems without monitoring service

Does your elderly loved one need a 24/7 monitoring service? For many seniors, the answer to this is "no", and for them, home medical alert systems that do not involve a monitoring service are perfectly fine. This is certainly a more affordable option, as there is no monthly service fee, so for anyone who needs to think about cost, this will be an important consideration. Once the basic equipment is purchased, the only cost would be replacing batteries as needed.

In a system that does not include monitoring, when the device is activated, the call will go directly to the numbers that have been programmed: depending on the system chosen, family, friends, or possibly emergency personnel.

Home medical alert systems certainly cannot take your place, but they can provide security to the elderly person and peace of mind for the family of aging family members who worry about their safety.

N. Bobby was the caregiver and advocate for her elderly parents for nearly a decade. In that time, she personally experienced first hand, many of the physical, emotional, and financial challenges of adult children who care for their aging parents. She discusses many of these issues on her blog, Aging Parent Conversations. While worrying about the safety and security of your aging parents may keep you up at night, a good emergency response system can provide you peace of mind, and help for your elderly loved one if needed. Before you make a decision, learn more about the different home medical alert systems that are available.