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What To Consider When Purchasing
An Emergency Response System
WESTPORT, Conn., April 2, 2007 – Emergency
response systems (ERS), also known as personal emergency
response systems (PERS), are radio frequency transmitters
worn by elderly individuals (attached to a belt or worn
as a necklace or bracelet) that enable them to signal
for emergency help by pressing a button. The emergency
signal is broadcast to an emergency service—a hospital,
police station, physician, fire department or monitoring
agency, depending on the system—along with pertinent,
pre-registered information about the elder (address,
telephone number, medications, ailments, etc.). The
service responds either by calling the elder or another
designated person to check on her/his status or by sending
emergency help.
The cost of emergency response systems
varies; typically, a one-time fee is charged for the
transmitter and a monthly service fee applies thereafter.
Most insurance policies, including
Medicare, do not cover the cost of these systems. However,
some states allow Medicaid waivers for eligible Medicaid
recipients. Your insurance provider can tell you whether
and ERS is included in your coverage. Before purchasing
an emergency response system, be sure to ask the manufacturer/seller
the following questions:
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Who receives the call when
the emergency button is pressed?
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What action is taken once
the receiver is notified of an emergency?
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How much is the up-front
fee? How much is the monthly service fee?
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How much will it cost to
replace the unit if it breaks?
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Is the unit waterproof?
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Are there any fees charged
if an emergency call is accidentally triggered?
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How difficult is the system
to use? |
Be sure to get a demonstration of any
device you're thinking about purchasing. When buying
a system for a loved one, show her/him how to use it
and periodically have practice using the system together.
Emergency response systems aren't ideal for everyone,
so check with your doctor before purchasing one.
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Aging & Caregiving series was created for
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About LifeCare®,
Inc.
For 22 years, LifeCare has provided people with specialty
care services and customized care plans for all aspects
of their personal and professional lives, including
elder care and healthy aging, child care and parenting,
financial and legal matters, and more. LifeCare's Successful
AgingSM Services help individuals resolve
the full spectrum of mid-life and aging issues, including
adult caregiving, cognitive health issues, legal and
financial matters, and pre- and post retirement planning.
LifeCare serves 1,500 client companies with 4.5 million
individuals within corporations, health plans, government
agencies and unions. For more information, visit www.lifecare.com.
Media contact: Michael Civiello
LifeCare, Inc.
pr1@lifecare.com
203-291-4170
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