Do Medical Alert Systems Really Work
Do Medical Alert Systems Really Work? Evidence and Real Results
Help Now Medical Alert Systems
What a medical alert system does in an emergency
When the button is pressed the device opens two way voice to a trained monitoring center. Staff confirm the situation and follow the user plan. That plan may include calling family, neighbors, or 911. For homes with a lockbox, paramedics enter quickly without damaging a door.
- At home systems connect through a base with a loud speaker and sensitive microphone.
- On the go systems work wherever there is cellular coverage and include GPS to guide responders.
- Fall detection pendants can start a help call when a person cannot press the button.
Why time matters
Falls are common for older adults. The CDC reports that more than one out of four older people falls each year. Source
The danger increases when a person remains on the floor. Prolonged time on the floor is associated with dehydration, hypothermia, pressure injuries, rhabdomyolysis, pneumonia, and higher mortality. Classic research on people found helpless at home in the New England Journal of Medicine shows worse outcomes with long delays. Source
Evidence that medical alert systems work
In independent product testing of systems with fall detection the average response times ranged from about 28 seconds to about 62 seconds during simulated falls. Source
In a large PERS dataset with more than 211,000 alert calls, 53 percent of alerts were due to falls and 42 percent of users were assisted on site without hospital transport. This shows many events are resolved quickly with targeted help. Source
Survey data show that among older adults who had fallen and did not use a device, about 17 percent waited over an hour for help and about 16 percent required medical care for injuries. Source
Direct two way voice removes the need to reach a phone or dial a number. This cuts the interval between a fall and first aid or EMS dispatch.
Pairing a device with balance practice also helps. See easy balance exercises for seniors for routines based on Matter of Balance, Otago, and Tai Chi for Arthritis.
How accurate is fall detection
Automatic fall detection looks for patterns of movement and sudden changes in acceleration. It is designed to detect many hard falls but not every fall. False alarms can occur when movements mimic a fall. The feature is most helpful when a person may not be able to press a button after a fall. Test monthly and keep the pendant centered on the chest for best performance.
Who benefits most
- Adults with a history of falls or balance concerns.
- People who live alone or spend long periods alone each day.
- People taking medicines that affect balance or blood pressure. See the NCOA overview of medications that increase fall risk. Source
- Families that want a simple way to coordinate response and get updates.
How to choose a system that will work for you
- Coverage Choose at home if you are mostly indoors. Choose on the go if you leave the house often.
- Wearability Pick a pendant or wrist option you will wear from morning to night and while bathing if water rated.
- Fall detection Add this if you have a history of falls or conditions that may limit your ability to press a button.
- Lockbox Add a lockbox and share the code with the monitoring center.
- Training Do a live test during setup and repeat monthly so everyone knows what to expect.
See plans and devices on the Help Now comparison page. For home safety basics read our post on home safety upgrades for seniors living alone.
What real success looks like
- A user slips in the bathroom. The pendant is pressed. An agent answers through two way voice within seconds and dispatches EMS. Family is notified and meets responders at the door using the lockbox code.
- A user becomes dizzy outside. The on the go device connects with GPS location. A neighbor on the responder list arrives before EMS to provide support and guide responders to the spot.
- A user with neuropathy falls and cannot press the button. Fall detection starts the call. Help is sent and the person receives treatment quickly which limits complications.
Sources and further reading
The take away
Medical alert systems work by removing delays. Fast contact, clear voice, and a prepared plan lead to faster care and better outcomes. When paired with home safety steps and simple balance practice the result is more time living independently.
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