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Medical Alarms
When elderly people live alone, a medical
alarm can provide peace of mind for the user
and their family. In the event of a fall,
sickness or other emergency, an elderly person
can use a pendant button around their neck
to summon help.
The leading medical alarms have
simple, easy-to-install
base units that sit on a bedside
table and
plug into the phone line. When
an emergency
occurs, the elderly person presses
the button
on the pendant from anywhere
in the house
and a wireless signal similar
to a TV remote
activates the alarm base unit.
The base unit
automatically dials the medical
alarm company
and sends along an ID code that
identifies
the person and where they live.
A loud, clear speaker on the
base unit operates
like a speaker phone and can
be heard throughout
the house as the representative
from the
alarm company attempts to make
contact and
ascertain the problem. The speakerphone
is
very sensitive, allowing the
alarm representative
to hear an injured person even
if they are
in another room. Based on their
findings,
the alarm company notifies family,
police,
fire or ambulance and stays on
the line until
help arrives.
Features to consider when shopping
for a
medical alarm include:
- The alarm base unit should have a battery
backup in the event of a power
failure.
- An emergency button on the base unit to allow
activation in case the remote
pendant doesn't
work.
- A large test button to verify easily that
the unit is operating.
- A flashing light that is set off simultaneously
with the alarm to help direct
emergency personnel
to the right house as well
as alert a passerby
to trouble in the event that
the phone line
is out.
- A check-in service, where the alarm company
calls on a daily basis. This
both tests
the unit and provides a daily
check. In the
event no response is heard,
the alarm company
notifies family or emergency
services.
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