Q: My sister lives alone and recently fell and broke her hip. Thankfully someone was there at the time, but it got me thinking about emergency lifeline buttons. How do I know how to select the right one for her?
A: Lifeline is a brand name for what is called a personal emergency response system (PERS). This is an at home medical and emergency alert company that provides response from the touch of a button. Typically, the person wears the button on a bracelet or necklace.
If a person needs help, they press the button. The company will have a 24/7 monitoring system and will respond via a speaker phone to ask if the person needs assistance. Depending on the response they will either call the police, the paramedics, your emergency contacts, or a combination. If you are not able to respond they will automatically call for a first responder and then notify your emergency contacts.
While Lifeline was the first main company to offer this type of service, there are now many companies with these types of products. The products also range in what they offer. They should all be waterproof so that you can continue to wear it in the shower for protection. Some offer fall detection, GPS monitoring on the go, and some only work inside your own home radius.
They all should offer 24/7 monitoring. The billing is either monthly or they may offer a discount if you pay for 6 months or a year in advance.
One thing to note is that I often hear people consider getting one for a loved one who has dementia. They may feel a sense of security if the person wears this device while home alone. I do warn people that often someone with memory loss who needs help will not remember or understand that they can push the button to get help. It is often a false sense of security. However, if it offers GPS tracking it may still serve a purpose in tracking your loved one should they wander or get lost.
When examining which device to purchase consider the main concerns you hope to address. Are you someone who is mostly home and always accompanied by someone when out of the house? If so, a home only device may offer enough to meet your needs.
If you are on the go a lot or taking walks outside the home, then a mobile option that offers GPS tracking is a better choice. That way if you have an emergency they can detect where you are to send emergency response.
Some devices offer fall detection. This is a great added feature, but it has its limits. The technology is not perfect and may not detect a fall if it happens slowly or may erroneously detect a fall if you drop the device or make a sudden movement.
When purchasing a device make sure to ask about the activation and cancellation fees. Ask for any discounts or coupon codes.
While a PERS device will not prevent a fall or injury, it is an important part of a safety plan for aging in place. Accessing help quickly can make a big difference in your medical care and recovery. One out of every four older adults will experience a fall each year.
The thought of being hurt and unable to reach the phone for help is daunting. Taking the time to research and purchase a device will ease anxieties and ensure help is just the press of a button away.
Martha Shapiro can be reached at Senior Concerns at 805-497-0189 or by email at mshapiro@seniorconcerns.org.
