Work/Life Trends
A Primer on Emergency Response Systems and Service Providers

As the nation ages, Emergency Response Systems continue to grow in popularity. An Emergency Response System (ERS)—also known as a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)—is basically a radio frequency transmitter worn by an individual (most often a senior) that enables her/him to signal for emergency help by simply pressing a button. These transmitters come in several forms: necklaces, bracelets or as a small devices that can be clipped to a belt.

When the emergency button is pushed, a signal is broadcast to the base unit in the wearer’s home, which then sends the signal digitally over the telephone lines to an emergency service provider such as a hospital, police station, physician, fire department or monitoring agency. Typically, the emergency service provider has pertinent information about the person wearing the device (e.g., address, phone number, medications, ailments, etc.) and responds by calling the sender or another designated person to check on her/him.

The costs and options related to these devices and their service providers vary considerably. Following is a list of nationwide ERS resources, as well as a brief summary of their services. LifeCare does not endorse any of these companies or their products; we simply offer this information as a way to help you and your employees gain a better understanding of this subject.

As always, our specialists are available to counsel employees on these options and refer them to a wide range of related resources.

Alert One Services, Inc.
24 West 4^th Street
Williamsport, PA 17701
800-693-5433
www.alert-1.com

Alert One provides either a voice-to-voice system or a digital notification system. Calls go to the Alert One Services center. If there is no response for the voice-to-voice system, or no answer for the digital notification system, the call center will contact emergency personnel. The cost is $25.95 per month, plus a one-time shipping fee of either $8.95 or $19.95 (depending on the shipping option chosen).

1-800-MED-ALERT
359 San Miguel Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
800-633-2537
www.1800medalert.com

Med-Alert offers a wireless and base console, which is connected to the client’s phone line. Calls go to Med-Alert’s response center and, if there is no answer via the two-way speaker, the response center will contact emergency personnel. The two-way speaker also allows the client to state the nature of the emergency. The cost is $50.00 for the initial installation, and $30.00 per month for monitoring.

Pioneer Medical Systems, Inc.
3408 Howell Street
Duluth, GA 30096
800-234-0683
www.pioneermed.com

Pioneer Medical Systems offers a wireless and base console, which is connected to the client’s phone line. Calls go to Pioneer Medical’s response center and, if there is no answer via the two-way speaker, the response center will contact emergency personnel. The two-way speaker also allows the client to state the nature of the emergency. Pioneer Medical Systems also offers a “patient down” feature, which is worn around the waist. This feature has a call button that allows the user to contact the response center in the event of a problem and allows two-way communication within a limited range. The unit also has a sensor that identifies changes in gravity indicating that the wearer has fallen and, when triggered, the response center will send help immediately. Another sensor measures the wearer’s movement and, if he or she is not moving, emergency response personnel will be summoned. In addition, there is a “long range” unit, which can be used up to 1,500 feet from the base unit. Monthly monitoring fees range from $35.00 to $59.95 per month, depending on the options selected.

Health Watch
777 Yamato Road
Boca Raton, FL 33487
800-261-1390
www.health-watch.com

Health Watch offers a wireless and base console, which is connected to the client’s phone line. Calls go to the Health Watch response center and, if the client does not answer the telephone, Health Watch will contact emergency personnel. The cost is $50.00 for the initial installation, and approximately $35.00 per month for monitoring (may vary based on geographical location).

LifeLine Systems
111 Lawrence Street
Framingham, MA 01703
800-380-3111
www.lifelinesys.com

LifeLine offers a wireless and base console, which is connected to the client’s phone line. Calls go to the LifeLine response center, and if the client does not answer the telephone, LifeLine will contact emergency personnel. This company also offers a check-in feature with an assigned time that the client must push the button, notifying the call center staff that they are alert. The cost is $50.00 to $100.00 for the initial installation, and approximately $35.00 to $45.00 per month for monitoring (may vary based on geographical location).

Link to Life
297 North Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
888-546-5254
www.link-to-life.com

Link to Life offers a wireless and base console, which is connected to the client’s phone line. Calls go to the Link to Life response center and, if the client does not answer the telephone, Link to Life will contact emergency personnel. This company also offers a check-in feature with an assigned time that the client must push the button, notifying the call center staff that they are alert. The cost is $50.00 for the initial installation, and approximately $34.95 per month for monitoring plus a leasing fee of $10.00 per month for equipment. The equipment can also be purchased for a one-time fee of $359.40.

American Medical Alert Corporation
3265 Lawson Boulevard
Oceanside, NY 11572
800-645-3244
www.amalert.com

American Medical Alert offers a wireless unit and base console, which is connected to the client’s phone line. Calls go to American Medical Alert’s response center and, if there is no answer via the two-way speaker, the response center will contact emergency personnel. The cost varies based on geographical location.