Truthfully, people of all ages could benefit from a medical alert system. Seniors, those living with a disability, or those with a significant medical condition could all be great candidates for such a device. So how do you know if a medical alert system is right for you or someone you love?

First consider the purposes of medical alarms:

  • To provide 24 hour monitoring.
  • To call for help in the event of a medical emergency.
  • To keep track of a person. Some are medical alert systems with GPS, which can be helpful for someone in early stages of Alzheimer's.
  • To remind you to take your medication.
  • To call emergency services in the event a detector or sensor such as fire, carbon monoxide poisioning, temperature or security alarm is triggered.
  • To call family members.

Next, answer the following questions to see if medical alert systems are right for you:

  1. Do you live alone or spend more than a several hours a day alone?
  2. Do you have a serious medical condition such as diabetes, arthritis, chronic heart failure, etc?
  3. Do you have physical challenges that require you to use a walker, wheelchair or cane?
  4. Are you the kind of person who likes people checking up on you?
  5. Are you the kind of person who will ask people for assistance?
  6. Are you the kind of person who keeps a charged cell phone with you at all times?
  7. Most importantly, are you willing to keep medical alarm on you and are you willing to use it when needed?

If you answered 'yes' to questions 1, 2 or 3 and 'no' to questions 4, 5, and 6, you might benefit from having medical alert systems in your home. But medical alarms are only as good as the people who wear them. So if your answer to question 7 is no, then you may not be a good candidate.

Before you totally support or dismiss whether a senior alert system is right for you or your loved one, consider these benefits:

  • It lets you live independently and your family and friends do not have to worry about you.
  • Many devices are waterproof so you can wear them in the shower.
  • When you wear the device it is in reach, essential for contacting assistance in case of medical or security emergency.
  • They ensure rapid responses in times of need and connect you with trained emergency personnel.
  • Personal information, such as allergies, medical conditions and unique needs, are kept on file and communicated to emergency professionals.

Don't wait for an emergency to occur before you decide it is time to invest in a medical alert system. Be prepared! And provide yourself or your loved ones with peace of mind that help available with the push of a button.

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