Medical Alert Devices

New Technology Makes Monitoring Easier

There are plenty of medical alert devices available on the market today, but some of the best utilize new technology to help you track and keep your loved one safe at all times.

One of the disadvantages of traditional push button medical alert devices is that they often do not work if your loved one is mobile and able to go outside, to the grocery store or senior center or even just take a walk.

New technology has provided us with new options to keep our loved one's safe no matter where they are at. Don't let the technology hold you back. These systems are easier to set up and use and most companies will provide adequate training so you are both comfortable

Some of the best new medical alert devices include passive monitoring, GPS tracking and video monitoring. Used alone or in combination with other types of alert systems, new technology has taken keeping our elderly safe to a new level.

These devices may be a little more expensive than the traditional alert systems, but more often than not, the additional expense is well worth it in the event your loved one gets lost or has an event that prohibits them from utilizing a help button.

Passive Monitoring

A passive monitoring system is able to detect changes in movement, patterns and behaviors that could indicate that someone is in trouble.

Passive medical alert systems can utilize pendants than can detect a fall, sensors that can indicate how long someone is in bed and even motion detectors placed throughout the house to track movements. Any deviance will alert the center that there is a potential problem.

The advantage of the passive systems is that they do not require the person to remember activate a button or call for help.

Some of the most devastating events that can happen are a fall, a heart attack or a stroke. A passive system would help get assistance to your loved one much faster than traditional systems that may not even be activated unless the person can remember to call for help.

Two systems that won awards in 2010 and 2011 are BeClose and myHalo. Both effectively use new technology to passively monitor people and encourage aging independence.

Video Monitoring

Some of the new medical alert devices include 24 hour video monitoring. You will be able to check and monitor the video on a computer or even on your cell phone.

ADT Pulse has a good system and is a reputable company. But there are other systems on the market as well, so review what you are trying to accomplish both now and in the future.

There is another company called ResCare that was featured on National Public Radio. With this system, multiple cameras are placed throughout the house and are monitored by a centralized center. "Telecare workers" can check in and visit through a computer placed in the house.

This system is effective for monitoring the elderly living in their own home and can help monitor the quality of care provided by any hired help that comes into the house.

There are obviously some privacy issues concerned, but you can chose where the cameras are placed. In the event of an emergency, trust me, both you and your loved one will have forgotten any privacy concerns.

GPS Tracking Systems

This is another technological advance that has effective uses in monitoring the elderly and keeping them safe.

One of the biggest concerns with any elderly person that has any type of dementia is wandering and getting lost.

With the use of a GPS monitoring system, such as a GPS tracking watch, you would be able to immediately locate and rescue your loved one.

GPS technology, such as a Brickhouse Child Locator Watch, is great for continuous monitoring of your loved one's location. It has a locking wrist band that will alert you if it is removed and if the batteries are running low. You can also set up perimeter alerts that can notify you if your loved one leaves a preset area.

With statistics showing that up to 60% of dementia patients wander away from home or a care facility, this is the type of device that will have huge benefits not only to the elderly population, but also for the peace of mind of care givers.

Some of the best medical alert devices take advantage of new and changing technology.

They may be slightly more expensive to initiate, but the peace of mind that comes from passive monitoring, video monitoring and GPS tracking can save lives.

When you are choosing the best medical alert devices for your specific situation, make sure to look into the future. Just because mom is in the early stages of dementia does not mean she won't have an issue with wandering, or forgetting to turn off the stove, or falling in the future.

If you are having problems choosing which of the medical alert devices would be best for your particular situation, take advantage or our

Free and Confidential Evaluation.

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