FAQ"s - Personal Emergency Response System
The market place is exploding with new products to help seniors remain at home.
The "push the button for help" unit is one such product.
Many people think all the "push the button for help" systems are the same.
The fact is that they all vary and the customer needs to understand the differences to determine which product will meet their needs.
The following FAQ's will explain some of the differences and will provide the consumer with the information to help determine what product is best for their situation.
Why should I consider such a system; I haven't fallen yet? A study conducted by AC Nielson shows that people who have a PERS (Personal Emergency Response System) live in their homes six years longer than those who do not.
All systems basically cost the same; don't they? Depending on the "bells and whistles" there will be a wide range in cost.
Some units are the simple "plug & go" which are the least costly units.
Some units can be programmed to dispense medications, send alerts such as for CO2, and smoke alarms; these are the more costly units.
Do all systems call 911 when activated? Some of the basic "plug & go" units can ONLY call 911; some can be programmed with phone numbers of neighbors or friends.
The more advanced units will talk with the caller via speaker/phone unit and will call 911 when requested and/or call a person on the call list.
Do all systems come with only one activation button? Most systems provide only one button.
You can request additional buttons.
The cost for the additional buttons can be a one-time charge or a monthly charge.
Some units come with an additional button at no charge.
Why should I get an additional button? At night most people are not comfortable sleeping with the activation button on and will lay it on a table or on the bedpost.
If you do not feel well in the middle of the night, most people head for the bathroom (without the activation button).
The second button is usually placed in the bathroom at floor level in case of a fall.
Why should the unit have a back-up battery system? Your unit will not operate if there is a disruption in AC power.
Most back-up batteries will last for 12-36 hours.
Most systems will send an alert when the back-up battery is running low on power.
What about "hidden" costs? Read the fine print for additional costs such as maintenance, battery replacement, and lost/damaged equipment.
The "push the button for help" unit is one such product.
Many people think all the "push the button for help" systems are the same.
The fact is that they all vary and the customer needs to understand the differences to determine which product will meet their needs.
The following FAQ's will explain some of the differences and will provide the consumer with the information to help determine what product is best for their situation.
Why should I consider such a system; I haven't fallen yet? A study conducted by AC Nielson shows that people who have a PERS (Personal Emergency Response System) live in their homes six years longer than those who do not.
All systems basically cost the same; don't they? Depending on the "bells and whistles" there will be a wide range in cost.
Some units are the simple "plug & go" which are the least costly units.
Some units can be programmed to dispense medications, send alerts such as for CO2, and smoke alarms; these are the more costly units.
Do all systems call 911 when activated? Some of the basic "plug & go" units can ONLY call 911; some can be programmed with phone numbers of neighbors or friends.
The more advanced units will talk with the caller via speaker/phone unit and will call 911 when requested and/or call a person on the call list.
Do all systems come with only one activation button? Most systems provide only one button.
You can request additional buttons.
The cost for the additional buttons can be a one-time charge or a monthly charge.
Some units come with an additional button at no charge.
Why should I get an additional button? At night most people are not comfortable sleeping with the activation button on and will lay it on a table or on the bedpost.
If you do not feel well in the middle of the night, most people head for the bathroom (without the activation button).
The second button is usually placed in the bathroom at floor level in case of a fall.
Why should the unit have a back-up battery system? Your unit will not operate if there is a disruption in AC power.
Most back-up batteries will last for 12-36 hours.
Most systems will send an alert when the back-up battery is running low on power.
What about "hidden" costs? Read the fine print for additional costs such as maintenance, battery replacement, and lost/damaged equipment.
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