If this is your first visit to this site, be sure to check out my my free special report, 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Medical Alert. It’s short (just 4 pages) so you can read it quickly.
Life alert systems are easy to set up in your home.
And just to clarify, life alert and medical alert are both terms that are used to describe devices that can call for help if you can’t reach the phone. Life Alert is a specific brand. (Do you remember the TV ads? “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.”)
Young people like to laugh at this, but for elderly people or those with serious medical conditions, knowing that someone can come and help you is a big source of security.
My grandmother fell and broke her hip at age 95. It was late at night. She was walking down the stairs when she tripped. Since she like to be independent, she was in the house alone. She broke her hip and had to spend the night on the landing of the staircase. She couldn’t get downstairs to the phone and had to wait until the following afternoon, when someone came to visit, until she was able to get medical help.
You don’t want that to happen to you.
A life alert or medical alert system is really pretty easy to set up.
The system consists of two parts. The first is a base station that you plug into your phone and into an electrical outlet. Make sure you get a unit with good battery backup, of course, and check the batteries every few months. Some base stations are automatically set up to dial a particular monitoring center, and you’ll pay monthly for the monitoring service and peace of mind this provides. Other systems can be programmed to dial any number you choose in advance. Most of these types will dial up to 4 or 5 numbers in case the people you’re trying to reach aren’t home.
The other part of the system is a button that you wear or carry around. This button is set up to communicate with the base station (and not with your neighbor’s!). There’s nothing you need to do to set it up. But you will want to check the range of the button to make sure it works from everywhere you’ll be.
Make sure to test the system every month. The unit will have instructions for doing this. You don’t want to get caught with a dead battery at the time you need it most!
Do you need to have the system professionally installed?
I don’t think so. A few companies offer this, but they tend to be overpriced. Installation is very simple.
I’m beginning to wonder why i need two security systems.
One for personal assistance (need help getting up) and another for police assistance (being attacked).
Andy, I’m not sure I understand the comment. Your home security alarm works whether or not you’re aware of a problem (for example, you are asleep or away). The medical alarm is for a personal emergency, though it can also be used to call for help if there’s a fire or break-in. The two systems do different things. But if I misunderstood your point, please clarify. Thanks!
Do all Medical alert system need a home phone line? My mother does not have a home phone, only a cell.
Great question. All medical alerts need some kind of telephone line, but it doesn’t have to be a land line.
If you don’t have a land line, then you need to buy a model that works on a cell signal. The trick is, it’s a different cell signal than your mom’s phone. The base station (or pendant unit, depending what style you choose) has its own SIM card. You have to be sure to position it in a location with a good cell signal. Expect to pay $10 to $15 more per month to cover the cost of the cell service.
Did that clear it up? If not, ask for clarification.