I have a daughter who is physically handicapped and lives alone.  She is not a senior but I think could benefit from having an alarm in case of an emergency.  Could she use your system?

Rachel
Bozeman, Montana

Hi Rachel,

Absolutely. Our medical alert system can be used by anyone who could benefit from the service and we have users of all ages. It can be great piece of mind for you and your daughter.

I hope this helps,

Noah

Many senior citizens may be suffering from Parkinsons, Alzheimer’s or other debilitating diseases. These conditions can make it hard for them to continue to live independently because they could be at a real risk for serious injury or even death if they should fall.

A medical alarm system can truly be a lifesaver for a senior who wants to keep that independence. With the medical alarm, a senior can simply wear a waterproof necklace or wristband with a help button. If they should ever have an emergency of any kind, all they would need to do is press the button and help would be on the way.

It can be difficult to get older, but you don’t need to lose your independence.

My mother lives near me in New York half the year but lives in a condo in Florida for the other half. Can we use your medical alert at both locations? If so, are there any additional charges?

Ann
Valley Stream, NY

Hello Ann,

Absolutely! We’re a national company and service every state in the country. All you’d have to do is unplug the box in New York, plug it in when she arrives in Florida and give us a call to inform us of the new location. It’s that simple!

There are no additional charges, no matter how many times you move the unit.

I hope this helps,

Noah

I need to find an alert system for my mother who is legally blind and who can’t dial a phone number. Would your system work for her?

Mary
Belle, Missouri

Hi Mary,

Our medical alert system will definitely work for your mother. If she needed help, all she’d have to do is press her help button and one of our operators would come over the speaker box and be able to talk back and forth with her, no matter where she is in the home, without her having to get up, move or touch the phone.

She could ask for us to call you or anyone else or, if it’s more serious or if we don’t get a response from her, we’d immediately contact the local paramedics. She would always be protected wearing our medical alert.

I hope this helps,

Noah

As we head to the start of summer, now is a good time to help your loved ones who are elderly and live alone with fall prevention. One third of Americans over the age of 65 fall every year and falls are the leading cause of injury and/or death in adults of that age. There are simple things you can do to help prevent your loved ones from a fall.

These include a regular exercise program, making the home safer by eliminating any hazards that might cause a fall, having your doctor review your medications and having your vision checked.

Of course no matter how hard you prepare, sometimes a fall can’t be prevented. In those instances, a medical alarm system can protect a senior and get them the help they need.

My mom only speaks Russian. Could she still use your senior alarm?

Maria
Las Vegas, NV

Hi Maria,

We have many customers all across the country who don’t speak English or can’t speak at all. With our system your mom would always be protected, all she needs to do is press the help button and we’d be able to quickly send help and contact you as well, even if we can’t hear or understand her.

She’d always be protected!

I hope this helps,

Noah

Will your senior alert work when my mom is away from the home and doing errands nearby in town?

Rachel
Danville, CA

The medical alarm is designed for a senior who is living at home independently and works in and around the home. It will work within approximately 3000 square feet inside the home and up to 400 feet outside the home.

When your mother is outside of her home area doing errands, I’m assuming there will be people who could call for help in the event of an emergency. You could also have her carry a cell phone.

I hope this helps,

Noah

My mother is stressed out about hitting her button without meaning to. I’m worried that she may not press it in a life saving situation if she is so worried about this. What should I tell her to do if she accidentally presses her Alert Button?

Regina
Dallas, TX

Hi Regina,

Let your mother know that the best thing to do if she accidentally presses her Alert Button is to wait for one of our operators to come over the speaker box and talk to them. At that point, she will be able to tell them that she didn’t press the button on purpose. It’s as simple as that!

Chances are that if she were unaware that she pressed the Alert Button, she would hear the loud speaker box and be able to respond. If we weren’t able to communicate with her, our operator would call the home before dispatching paramedics.

Your mother has nothing to worry about. Accidentally pressing the button happens rarely. We do not mind dispatching in these circumstances and EMS personnel don’t mind either. They’d rather save a life than be sorry!

I hope this helps,

Nic

I am looking into this for my ailing Father. He is oxygen reliant/home bound and the power goes out at his home, which leaves him without a phone… he uses a cordless phone.

In the event of a power outage and his portable phone was out, would your system work for him regardless of where he was at in the house?

Thank you for your time!

Martha
San Diego , CA

Hi Martha,

Our medical alert has a 24 hour backup battery in case the power went out or the cord was accidentally unplugged. Even if your portable phone isn’t working because of the electricity being out, as long as the phone lines are still up, the unit will be able to access our monitoring center and get your father the help he needs.

I hope this helps,

Noah

If I order a Senior Safety medical alarm for my father and something breaks or malfunctions with the system, how can I get it fixed? Would I have to pay anything?

Thanks,

Glenn
Rosenburg, Oregon

Hi Glenn,

If there is a service issue with your medical alarm unit or pendant, we would easily take care of it by sending you out a replacement and there would be no charge at all to you. All service issues are covered when you sign up.

I hope this helps,

Noah

I’d like to get a medical alert for my home. I do have a land line but I only have one jack in the kitchen where I keep my cordless phone. Will I still be able to use my phone with the alert?

Lana
Greenbelt, MD

Hi Lana,

You definitely still use your phone with our medical alert. No second phone jack is required. All you need to do is plug the system into the phone jack and your phone can easily be plugged into our unit and will work perfectly.

I hope this helps,

Noah

I live in Ohio and my mother is in Arizona. What sort of information do I need to give when I order a medical life alarm for her? Do you need her medical information on line? Just trying to be prepared for when the time comes.

Terry
Columbus, OH

Hi Terry,

Ordering with us is easy. The most important information is your mother’s address and home phone number. We also need to know what type of phone line she has in the house: whether it’s DSL, Cable or a standard land line. Ask your mother what company provides her phone service; this information determines what equipment we will send you.

We will also ask you for your mother’s Date of Birth. You need to know whether she wants to have a necklace or wristband transmitter and what she wants to choose for our current free gift offer (an extra transmitter or a lockbox).

We provide decals for the Vial of Life Project with your order. This is a smart way for your mother to have her medical information in her home. That info could save her life so I hope she does this! We will not need to have her medical information in our office at any point though.

Quickly look over our order form online. The rest of the information that we will ask for can either be researched on our end or provided by you at a later date.

I hope this helps,

Nic

I’m thinking of ordering this soon. How much do you charge for shipping? How long does it take after ordering to get the system? Can I connect it immediately? Thank you.

Denise
Casper, WY

Hi Denise,

We ship to you free of charge through Priority Mail. This generally takes anywhere from 2 -3 days to get to you anywhere in America. If you need it sooner, we can overnight the system to you. But that involves a 45 dollar shipping and handling fee.

We take pride in getting out each order in the mail the same day it is received, no matter what it takes. And we know what that effort means to our new customers. Yes, you can connect your system as soon as you receive it. It’s easy to set up and you can test the medical alert right after to make sure that it’s working properly.

I hope this helps,

Nic

I have your medical alert service in my house. Can I use the alert button in any emergency situation? What if I have a fire and need you to contact fire rescue?

Carlos
Stillwater, OK

Hi Carlos,

We are a full-certified Medical Alert company. Although most of our clients use our service in medical emergencies, we will be able to get you help in any emergency situation. Anytime that you need help and cannot make it to a phone we want you to press your alert button.

In an emergency we would call your local EMS rescue number. For most areas, EMS and Fire rescue dispatch from the same call center. If they didn’t, they would immediately patch us through to the correct operator for your type of emergency. Rest assured, when you press your alert button, we will get you help.

I hope this helps,

Nic

I live down the street from our fire station. If I am having a life threatening emergency, is that who you would call if I press my help button?

Charles
Clearlake, California

Hi Charles,

If you pressed your button on your medical alarm and needed help to save your life, we would dispatch the local paramedics, the same people who would be sent if you called 911 from your phone life. It very well may be from your local fire station!

I hope this helps,

Noah

I would like to purchase your senior alarm for my mother but I am concerned about her accidentally setting off the alarm while she sleeps as she tends to get up a lot during the night.

I don’t want the paramedics to be dispatched if she’s not having an emergency.

Rachel
Richmond, VA

Hi Rachel,

Pressing the help button accidentally is not something we find to be a usual occurrence among our customers.

However, if she somehow did press the button by mistake, it would set off a loud tone on the speaker box, followed by an operator from our monitoring center coming over the box to ask if she’s having an emergency. The volume on the speaker box is set to a high level to ensure the voice covers the entire home.

At this point your mother would have an opportunity to say that it was a false alarm. Even if your mother didn’t hear the operator, they would still attempt to call her on the home phone before they dispatched any paramedics or called any contacts.

I hope this helps,

Noah

How long has your company been around? We want to make sure that we sign up with a good medic alert system that will be around for a while. My father still has many years ahead of him!

Jake
Castle Dale, UT

Hi Jake,

We have been around since 1996. We’re going on 15 years now and we’re going strong!

Despite a tough economy, business is great. We intentionally keep our prices low. We don’t think a medic alert system service should cost an arm and a leg, and our low prices and great service lead to a lot of happy customers. Don’t worry Jake, just like your father we will be around for many years to come!

I hope this helps,

Nic

I have an alert system from another company. I am unhappy with the service that I’m getting, but I signed a contract until the first of November. Do you have any tips to get out of this contract?

Howard
Concord, NC

Hi Howard,

Each company tends to be different. Unfortunately, I don’t have any advice for getting out of your contract. Some companies even require a death certificate in order to break a contract. First off, it’s important to find a medical alert company who does not require a time commitment in the first place.

Our alert service has no time commitments. Not only are you able to cancel at any time, but we prorate monthly. If you were to sign up for a year of our service and only use 6 months, you would get the unused months payment back.

Come November, make it your first priority to call every company that you are researching. This is a great way to get a feel for the quality of customer service that you will be getting as a customer. We’d love to hear from you then!

I hope this helps,

Nic

My daughter has been trying to convince me to get a medical alert because I live alone now that I am recently widowed.

I want to know why I can’t use my portable cell phone instead to alert the emergency services during an emergency where my life might be in danger.

Roz
Toms River, New Jersey

Hi Roz,

There are many advantages to having a medical alert device as opposed to a cell phone. In case of a life threatening emergency you may not be able to dial for help with your cell phone or it may not be reachable. And it can’t be used in the shower or bath. You also may not be able to speak.

With our medical alert system, all you would have to do is press a button that is worn around your neck or wrist and help would be on the way, whether you could speak or not. And the help pendant is waterproof so you could wear it all the time. The medical alert adds that extra piece of mind that could very well save your life!

How far does the Medical Alert necklace or wristband transmit? Would this work outside the home?

Norma
Fort Wayne, IN

Hi Norma,

Our system works well in up to a 3000 sq ft home. The pendant or wristband transmits around 400 feet away from the speaker box. Your system would work outside, but we wouldn’t be able to communicate with you over the speaker box. Luckily, that communication is secondary to us getting the signal from your Medical Alert necklace. We would get the signal that you need help and send paramedics to the house.

The best way to be sure of the range is to test the system out. When you get your system, you can do what we call a Pendant Distance Test. You’d walk to your mailbox, garage and through your yard and our system would beep, confirming that it is receiving a signal from that range.

I hope this helps,

Nic

Do I have to provide the dispatch number for EMS in our area? With your emergency response system can I request that they take me to the hospital of my choice if anything were to happen?

Cho
Brooklyn, NY

Hi Cho,

We research the appropriate dispatch number for you the same day that you order with us. We also call the dispatch number and speak with one of their operators to verify that they are the correct number for your address. We do this to make sure that everything goes as smoothly as possible if you were to have an emergency and use your emergency response system.

No. Unfortunately, you cannot request through us that the paramedics take you to a certain hospital. That is up to your local paramedics. Our main priority is to call emergency services quickly and get you help. The paramedics choose which hospital with your location and safety in mind, and we don’t want to get in the way of that.

I hope this helps,

Nic

What if I’m talking on the phone and have an emergency and then press my senior medical alert? Will it still be able to make the call to your monitoring center?

Jane
Reston, VA

Hi Jane,

If you press the help button while talking on the phone connected to the medical alert, the alert will automatically seize the line and connect to our monitoring center for help.

If you are using a different phone in the home that is not attached to the medical alert, then it won’t be able to call out unless the phone is hung up.

I hope this helps,

Noah

I just celebrated my 80th birthday yesterday and while I still get around on my own and consider myself independent, my family is worried about me living by myself and wants me to get an elderly medical alert but I am skeptical. What are the main reasons I should get one?

Ronald
El Cajon, CA

Hi Ronald,

First off, happy birthday! Getting a medical alert system can be a difficult decision for anyone and it’s understandable that you are skeptical. There are multiple reasons why this service could be a good choice for you.

There are times where you may not be able to reach a phone in an emergency to dial for help. Getting help at the press of a button at any time of the day or night can save your life.

An elderly medical alert can also give more independence to someone living alone. You can have the piece of mind to know that you will always be protected, even in the shower or on the porch. Of course giving piece of mind to your family and friends is an added benefit as well!

I hope this helps,

Noah

My mother is 75 and is in need of a fall alert system. She’s concerned about it going well with her wardrobe though. What color is the button?

Anna
Washington DC

Hi Anna,

Your mother can choose either a necklace or wristband for her alert button. The necklace is off-white on a plastic break-away chain. This type of chain is important just in case the necklace were to get caught on something if she were to fall. The wristband is black and resembles a wristwatch. Both buttons are 1 ½ inch tall by 1 ½ inch wide and are ¼ inch thick.

While our President, Roni, likes to joke with our customers that the buttons are a fashion statement, they’re so much more. A fall alert system is a smart way for your mother to stay living independently. I hope she realizes that and wears the button with pride!

I hope this helps,

Nic

I’m interested in a senior medical alert for my husband who is prone to falling but I’m afraid of getting locked into a long term commitment like some companies require. Do you have long term contracts?

Sarah
Ashland, OR

Hi Sarah,

You sign a liability agreement but there are absolutely no time commitments. You may cancel at any time, and there is also a 30 day money back guarantee.

I hope this helps,

Noah

If you do a simple internet search for an elderly medical alarm, you’ll immediately realize how many different choices that are available. I talk to people every day who are confused and frustrated trying to make a decision for themselves or their loved ones. And I understand how daunting the process can be. How exactly does one decide on which company is the best?

In the end it’s a personal decision but here are some things you should look out when you are comparing companies:

Commitment/Contracts - Does the company ask you to sign a long term contract where you are committed to a certain time frame for service? You should be able to find a company that doesn’t ask for a commitment and will allow you to cancel at any time.

Sales Pressure - When you talk to a certain company do you feel pressured to buy? It’s a difficult and potentially life saving purchase to begin with, you shouldn’t have to deal with someone trying to pressure you into a sale.

Fees - Does the company charge an “installation” or “setup” fee? Do they charge you for postage to send the unit out? Do they charge you if you need to change your address or need a replacement unit or pendant for a service or low battery issue? Make sure you are not paying any hidden fees.

Company History - There are new companies popping up each day but only a select few have been around for a decade or more. Do some research into when the company started. A good way is to check them out on the Better Business Bureau website. You can also do a search on the internet for complaints of the company.

Monitoring Center - Does the monitoring center have UL Listing, or FM certification, or are they Department of Defense cleared? We feel the most important approval is UL Listing. How are the operators trained?

These are great questions to start during your search for a medical alarm company. Feel free to browse through Senior Safety’s website and don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and talk to us.

We’d love to hear from you!

I am worried about my grandfather who lives alone and recently suffered a stroke. He always locks his doors. If she should press his alert button, how will the EMS get into the house without breaking the door down?

Tim
Clearwater, FL

Hi Tim,

If your grandfather presses his medical alarm button and the paramedics are dispatched, they will force entry into the home if the doors are locked for his safety. Of course this can waste valuable time in an emergency and be extremely costly to fix after.

This is why we recommend using a lock box with our service. With a lock box you can store a secure key and if our monitoring center dispatches the paramedics we would tell them the location and combination of that lock box.

We do offer a lock box as a free gift with each order and I highly recommend it!

I hope this helps,

Noah

I live in a rural town outside Akron in Ohio. I also have a friend who needs an alert that lives in Missouri.

What areas of the country does your medical alert service cover?

Debbie
Greensburg, OH

Hi Debbie,

The American Senior Safety Agency cover the entire United States, including Alaska and Hawaii! As long as you have a phone line, you can be protected by our medical alarm.

I hope this helps,

Noah

Does the call center test the elder monitor system weekly/monthly to ensure the system is working?

Erin
Harrisonville, MO

Hi Erin,

Our monitoring center does a weekly test on their end. However, that test can only tell us so much. We recommend that our customers (or their family) test the elder monitor system monthly to ensure that it’s working properly in the case of an emergency. This also helps to make our customers comfortable with pushing their help button and using the equipment.

I hope this helps,

Nic

You have an option for an extra help button with the order. What would be the reason for needing an extra help button?

Mona
Golden Valley, MN

Hi Mona,

When you order with us you do get a free gift. You can choose either the extra help button or a lockbox.

Choosing the extra help button comes in handy for people who may need a spare. You may be forgetful and misplace the transmitter. Or maybe you have two people in the household that will be using our service. If you were to lose your help button down the road, there would be a one-time $35 fee to replace it. This fee covers both the shipping and handling of the transmitter and the cost of the lost equipment. Having the extra transmitter prevents that situation from happening.

Unless you already have a plan in place for how paramedics would get into your home (a hide-a-key or a key under the mat), I usually recommend choosing the lockbox. You would have your key locked inside there, and, at the time of dispatch, we would give the combination and location of your lockbox to the paramedics. Having a plan in place like this is smart. Otherwise, the paramedics would rely on one of your first responders meeting them at your house with a key, or they’d have to break down a door.

Depending on your situation, either choice could come in handy!
I hope this helps,

Nic

Working at the American Senior Safety Agency, I’m often asked why a healthy senior would need a medical alarm, especially someone who has no history of major medical issues or falling.

My answer is always simple.  A medical alarm is about safety.  Unfortunately some people wait to set up an alert system once they have had a serious medical scare or fall and couldn’t get the help they need.

In 2007, the National Safety Council stated that “more than more than 21,700 Americans died as a result of falls and more than 7.9 million were injured by a fall including over 1.8 million older adults who had a fall-related injury that resulted in an emergency room visit. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among older adults 73 and older and the second leading cause of death from ages 60-72.”

There are many things you can do as a senior to help prevent a fall including staying healthy and fit to maintain balance, removing hazards from the home, securing cords and small rugs and making sure outside walking areas are well lit.

But even the best prevention in the world sometimes can’t prevent a fall. And that’s where a medical alarm comes in. If you should fall, help is just the press of a button away. And pressing that button could save your life.

In the end, that’s the best reason I can think of for someone to have one.

My mother is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, and she needs a medical alert. Do you think she’d be able to press the Alert Button in an emergency? I’m worried about this but don’t think we have many other options right now.

Thomas
Glenwood Springs, CO

Hi Thomas,

My heart goes out to your family. It can be a big challenge when a loved one has Alzheimer’s. Whether she is capable of pressing the button usually varies from individual to individual. Of course, we do have other customers who have Alzheimer’s who are able to use the system properly. If you decide to order the alert button, I’d suggest trying to work the system into her routine quickly. Regular testing will help her to feel comfortable with the system and will help build the habit of pressing the button if she needs help.

Eventually, your mother will need more care than our service is able to provide. It’s important for you to be able to realize when that time comes and address that need.

I hope this helps,

Nic

If we purchase your senior medic alert for my mother will it work if if she passes out and cannot respond to push a button?

Debbie
Bartlesville, OK

Hi Debbie,

The medical alarm will not work if your mother cannot press the button to alert our monitoring center. However, we have found that most people before passing out start to have a funny feeling and if they do, that’s the time to press the button.

As long as they press it once, we’ll be able to send help, even if they are unconscious afterward and can’t respond.

I hope this helps,

Noah

I’m considering your senior medical alert for my mother who lives alone.

I’m concerned because she has many medications and medical issues that would be necessary for the paramedics to know before treating her in any emergency. Does your system cover this information?

Mya
Springfield, OH

Hi Mya,

The American Senior Safety agency sponsors a charity called The Vial of Life Project. The Vial of Life is designed to speak for your loved one when they can’t speak for themselves during a medical emergency.

The Vial of Life is two UV coated decals, one that goes on the front door alerting emergency personal that another decal is on the refrigerator door. There a plastic baggy is attached to the other decal. Inside the baggy is the Vial of Life form, where you fill out all your medical information. You can also include a picture, insurance info, or any other information you feel is important.

A Vial of Life kit is included with each medical alarm order. It saves time and lives during any emergency and can give you and your loved one great piece of mind!

I hope this helps,

Noah

I live in a two story house. I live upstairs and my daughter lives downstairs but we only have an exterior connecting door. Could your alert system for elderly work for us if she had the extra pendant? The square footage of both is less than 2000 sq ft. I don’t think we can both afford a separate alert system. Thanks.

Luanne
Meridian, ID

Hi Luanne,

Your living situation is unique, but our alert system for elderly will still work for both you and your daughter. Our speaker box is extremely loud and has a sensitive microphone. We have many clients who live in two story homes and can hear us accurately from both stories. In the case that you cannot hear us, rest assured that we will get the signal from your alert button and we will get you the help that you need.

As for the location of the speaker box: it has to plug into a wall phone jack and an electrical outlet. Ideally, you could find a spot for it that is towards the center of the house. Either floor would work fine for this.

While our $24.95 monthly cost will cover both of you, we would need to get you an extra pendant for your daughter. Luckily, we do have a free gift offer with your order and an extra pendant is one of the options.

I hope this helps,

Nic

I’d like to order a medical alert pendant for my grandmother who lives alone in another state and recently had a fall that scared us both. What information would I need to set up the order and send it to her as soon as possible?

Rachel
Haverton, PA

Hi Rachel,

To set up an order all we need is some basic information about your grandmother (address, phone number, what type of phone system she has) and the initial billing info. If you have the list of emergency contacts available we can take that information as well at the time of order, otherwise it’s easy to fill out once we send the medical alarm.

You can order online or over the phone. You can pay with any major credit card or with a check online or over the phone. It’s a quick and easy process… As soon as we get your order, we’ll ship out the medical alarm the same day!

I hope this helps,

Noah

Are there any senior medical alarm companies that can operate either through a “Magic Jack” internet line, complete with separate phone number, or a cell phone line?

I very much am in need of your service, but do not have access to a land line.

Please help!

Rich
Millington, MI

Hi Rich,

We have had some luck with bundled cable packages, although certain systems like AT&T’s U-verse, are not compatible at this time with any senior medical alarm. We would be afraid for your safety with Magic Jack…and a cell phone definitely won’t work.

You might consider ordering a plain old telephone line, no long distance necessary…that would be your best and safest bet.

I hope this helps,

Noah

I am looking for a personal alarm for my mother in Lynwood, CA.

She recently had a stroke and now suffers from a motor speech disorder called dysarthria and at times, has a great deal of difficulty talking or can’t speak at all. How would your operators handle that situation?

Thanks,

Janet
Phoenix, AZ

Hi Janet,

Many of our clients of our personal alarm systems have difficulty speaking at the time of their emergency or can’t speak at all…if we can’t understand her, we will immediately dispatch 911. As long as she can press the button, she’ll get the help she needs!

I hope this helps,

Noah

My mother has lost 99% of her hearing. Can she still use your senior alert system?

Don
Reno, Nevada

Hi Don,

As you can imagine many of our customers have hearing difficulties or can’t hear at all. The voice to voice aspect of the medical alarm connection is the least important part to getting them help and is not necessary for them to be protected. All they need to know is that if they press the help button, even if they can’t talk or hear, help will be on the way.

I hope this helps,

Noah

I’m looking for an Emergency Button for my mother. She is turning 90 this year. Based on your website, your company seems to be warm and fuzzy. Is it really like that?

Rob
Fletcher, MI

Hi Rob,

My coworkers and I consider ourselves lucky to work for a company that cares this much about its customers. We try our best to do right by our clients and their families, and we always have their safety in mind. While warm and fuzzy is a funny way to put it, we do like to approach things in a positive way. The glass is definitely half full here, and I’m sure glad our website reflects that!

The Emergency Button Industry is full of a lot of companies, and there are other good ones out there. The best way to find the right one is to call every company that you are considering. That way you’ll be able to hear the warm and fuzzy in their voices. I hope this helps!

Good luck with your search,

Nic

My 83 year old mother lives alone. Since hip surgery she hasn’t been steady on her feet and I worry about her constantly. We’ve had several conversations about this, and she is having trouble admitting that she needs help. Should I just order this? What should I do?

Susan
Scottsdale, AZ

Hi Susan,

First off, before ordering a Senior Medical Alert it is important to have your mother on board with the idea. Otherwise, she may never feel comfortable with the system and may not even wear the help button or use it in an emergency.

Talk to your mother again. Make sure she realizes that having a Senior Medical Alert is not about losing her independence. It is a wonderful way to continue living independently for many years! If you think it would help, have your mother give us a call. We’d be more than happy to talk with her and answer any questions or concerns that she may have.

I hope this helps,

Nic

We are planning to order an emergency alert button for my mother but we are concerned because she has a cable phone system in her senior complex.  Is your system compatible with cable phones?

Laura
Honesdale, Pennsylvania

Hi Laura,

Our medical alarms are compatible with most cable or internet phone systems, however the functionality isn’t as consistent as with a regular land line from the phone company. It’s the inherent risk of a cable phone system. This is because if your cable goes out so will your phone system so when you press the help button, it won’t work.

With a land line, even in the case of a power failure, the emergency alert will still work with our 24 hour backup battery as long as the phone line is working.

If you do have a cable/internet phone system, please let us know when ordering so we can send you a specific speaker box designed for your system.

I hope this helps,

Jeff

I am considering a device costing about $200 that allows programming three target phone numbers plus 911. What disadvantages would this have compared to your elderly alarm system?

Greg
Azusa, CA

Hello Greg,

A 911 dialer system is definitely better than having nothing but I would not feel comfortable with my mother’s medical alarm system not having a monitoring center.

Monitoring centers are highly trained to react to various situations and they also have access to critical information relating to your loved one, including access into the home. Not only can they dispatch the local paramedics when needed, but they can also alert any of your contacts if you don’t need to call any emergency personal. Furthermore, some 911 services will not respond to a taped message, you’ll have to check in your community.

I hope this helps,

Noah

With your service can I cancel at anytime or am I locked into a contract?

Dawn
Sarasota, FL

Hi Dawn,

When you order our Elderly Medical Alert system there are no time commitments. I know how quickly situations can change, and I’m glad to say that our customers don’t have to worry about being locked into a specific time frame on our service.

We don’t think that this sort of service should have commitments. In fact, we prorate monthly. So if you were to sign up for six months and cancel after only three, you would receive the cost of the three unused months back.

I hope this helps with your decision!

Nic

My mother is almost 88 and lives alone in a two level house. Where would the best place be for her to plug in her personal alarm system: her bedroom, near her bathroom, not far from the steps or downstairs in the middle of the home?

Thank you,

Beth

Hello Beth,

Personal alarm systems work best at a centralized location inside the home. The range of the unit is approximately 3000 square feet.

When you plug in your unit, you can immediately do a distance test with our operator and walk through each area of the home to test the range. And remember, even if we can’t make a voice connection with your mother, as long as we pick up the signal when she presses her help button, help will be on the way.

I hope this helps,

Noah

We live in New York and you are based in California. How effective is that? Shouldn’t we go with a medical alarm company closer to home in order to get the best care?

Dave
Valley Stream, NY

Hi Dave,

New York is one of our largest states for customers.  All of the large national monitoring companies have a single large monitoring center for senior medical alert systems which allows control of the quality of service. Some of the better ones have a second redundant and backed up location; ours is in Texas.

Really you are speaking about a telephone call…it doesn’t matter where you are in the US including Alaska and Hawaii.

I hope this helps,

Noah

I am interested in getting a medical alarm for my elderly mother.  We live in an area that tends to have many power outages so I’m worried that she won’t be protected in case of an emergency if there is no power.

Does your unit have a battery backup and how will I know when it’s being used?

Rachel
Metairie, Louisiana

Hello Rachel,

Our medical alarm systems come equipped with a 24 hour backup battery in case there is a power loss or the system is accidentally unplugged.  So even with a loss of power, she will be fully protected during that time.

When the system switches to battery power we will get a signal in our monitoring center to alert us.  We will then call your mother and/or yourself to let you know that the system needs to be checked and tested.  It’s all part of our job and one that we take pride in.

I hope this helps,

Noah

I’m shopping around for my mother and feel overwhelmed by all the different choices.  What are the differences in medical alert systems equipment?

Debra
San Francisco, CA

Hi Debra,

The basic equipment that you receive when you order a medical alert system is very similar, no matter which medical alert company you choose.  You will receive a base unit (speaker box) which plugs into the wall and phone jack and a help button transmitter (necklace or wristband.)

The main difference you want to look out for is if the transmitter is water resistant or waterproof.  Water resistant transmitters are not designed to be used in the shower or bath, while waterproof transmitters are.  We highly recommend a waterproof transmitter because many falls and accidents can take place in the bathroom and if the user has to take off their transmitter each time they take a shower or bath, they may forget to put it back on after.   The Senior Safety medical alert system comes with a waterproof transmitter.

In the end, the equipment to most medical alert systems are similar.  Your decision should come down to which company makes you feel the most comfortable protecting your loved ones.  We recommend shopping around and getting that feel for each company and then making a decision you feel good about.

I hope this helps,

Noah

Your Question:

Could you please tell me the distance range your alarm works for?

OR– How far away from the “box” does the signal work?

My mother likes to feed her cats in the back yard. Would the signal be picked up there if she needed help?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Brenda

Hi Brenda,

The range of our medical alert systems are approximately 300′ to 400’ from the speaker box, of course as you have asked, this must be tested in the local environment to see how far it really reaches.

I love that your mother feeds her cats in the back yard, it’s not only good exercise for her, but provides much warmth, love and participation. These are all things I believe lead to a longer and happier life. And of course, I am a cat lover. My cat named Spooky is a huge 25 pound black cat.

The reach of our help button outside does not include the ability to talk to her outside of her home, but we will be notified she is in trouble and send help immediately. The voice-to-voice component of our speaker box works well within approximately a 3500 square foot home.

Regardless of which company you choose, thinking of a medical alert service for your mom is a great idea for your mom.

Thanks for your question,

Jeff

Today I received an insightful question from a concerned possible client, she asked a good question about “How many complaints have we had in the past five years about our elderly alert systems?” And she wanted to know how they were resolved?l

Here’s my answer to Sally’s question:

Hi Sally,

Well dealing with seniors who at times are feeling angry about many things…their health, their families, their income…sometimes they dump on us. Those are one type of complaint.

I have a gal Michelle who has her Master’s Degree in Psychology who we use to defuse much of their misdirected anger, almost always Michelle talks with them for as long as they need and solves their problems and turns them into happy campers. No one can bat 100%.

Now what I suspect you are really asking about are what kind of bad things we have done that have been reported to the authorities. We have done none! We are one of the few larger national medical alarm services that have not only an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau…but also, have zero complaints on all the years we have been in business. I pride myself in hiring kind and caring staff.

We resolve all issues to the clients favor in lieu of our own. That is except for those people who are unhappy because we ask them to pay their bills. What can I say?

If there is an issue with our equipment we send out new equipment overnight at no charge. We will spend as long as a person needs on the phone to resolve their issues…mostly it’s confusion on their part. A grand-daughter may have unplugged their system, which gives us a warning that it is unplugged and we call and resolve the issue with that person…or we get their family involved if need be. Sometimes it’s sad that when we call a client they have evolved to not even remembering they have a medical alarm system, that’s our first alert to call the family and let them know they should look into their loved one’s situation.

So I’d say…we don’t have any complaints, but we do have many thanks from many people and organizations around the country. We even do charitable work for many hospitals, Agencies, the American Red Cross…as well as feeding people in Los Angeles, feeding 150 school children daily in Namibia for the past year. We like to give back, it makes us feel good.

Sorry for the long winded answer J

Regardless who you choose take your time you’re asking the right questions…and that’s always what I advise people to do.

Best Regards,

Jeff