Personal
Emergency Response Systems
Produced in cooperation
with the American Association of Retired Persons
A Personal Emergency Response System
(PERS) is an electronic device designed to let you summon
help in an emergency. If you are a disabled or an older
person living alone, you may be thinking about buying
a PERS (also called a Medical Emergency Response System).
How a PERS
Works
A PERS has three components: a small
radio transmitter (a help button carried or
worn by the user); a console connected to the
user's telephone; and an emergency response center
that monitors calls.
When emergency help (medical, fire,
or police) is needed, the PERS user presses the transmitter's
help button. It sends a radio signal to the console.
The console automatically dials one or more pre-selected
emergency telephone numbers. Most systems can dial out
even if the phone is in use or off the hook. (This is
called "seizing the line.") Most PERS are
programmed to telephone an emergency response center
where the caller is identified. The center will try
to determine the nature of the emergency. Center staff
also may review your medical history and check to see
who should be notified.
If the center cannot contact you or
determine whether an emergency exists, it will alert
emergency service providers to go to your home. With
most systems, the center will monitor the situation
until the crisis is resolved.
Transmitters
Transmitters are light-weight, battery-powered
devices that are activated by pressing one or two buttons.
They can be worn on a chain around the neck or on a
wrist band, or they can be carried on a belt or in a
pocket. Because the transmitter is battery-powered,
the batteries must be checked periodically to ensure
they work. Some units have an indicator to help you
know when to change batteries.
The Console
The console acts as an automatic
dialing machine and sends the emergency alert through
the phone lines. It works with any private telephone
line and generally does not require rewiring. If you
have more than one phone extension, a special jack or
wiring may be required to enable the console to seize
the line.
Emergency Response Center
There are two types of emergency
response centers - provider-based and manufacturer-based.
Provider-based centers usually are located in the user's
local area and are operated by hospitals or social service
agencies. Manufacturer-based operations usually have
one national center. Sometimes, consumers who purchase
systems can choose between provider-based and manufacturer-based
centers, but consumers who rent systems from a PERS
manufacturer usually must use its national center.
Purchasing,
Renting, or Leasing a PERS
A PERS can be purchased, rented,
or leased. Neither Medicare nor Medicaid, in most states,
will pay for the purchase of equipment, nor will most
insurance companies. The few insurance companies that
do pay require a doctor's recommendation. Some hospitals
and social service agencies may subsidize fees for low-income
users. Purchase prices for a PERS normally range from
$200 to more than $1,500. However, some consumers have
reported paying $4,000 to $5,000 for a PERS. You also
will have to pay an installation fee and a monthly monitoring
charge which may cost from $10 to $30.
Rentals are available through national
manufacturers, local distributors, hospitals, and social
service agencies. Monthly fees may range from $15 to
$50 and usually include the monitoring service.
Lease agreements can be long-term
or lease-to-purchase. If you lease, review the contract
carefully before signing. Make special note of cancellation
clauses, which may require you to pay a cancellation
fee or other charges.
Before purchasing, renting, or leasing
a system, check the unit for defects. Ask to see the
warranty and service contract and get any questions
resolved. Ask about the repair policy. Find out how
to arrange for a replacement or repair if a malfunction
occurs.
If a PERS salesperson solicits you
by phone, and you are interested in the device, ask
for information about prices, system features, and services.
You can then use the information to comparison shop
among other PERS providers. If the salesperson is reluctant
to provide information except through an in-home
visit, you may want to consider doing business with
another company. In-home sales visits can be high pressure,
and the salesperson may urge you to buy before you are
ready to make a decision.
Before doing business with companies
selling PERS, you may want to contact your local consumer
protection agency, state Attorney General's Office,
and Better Business Bureau (BBB). Ask if any complaints
have been filed against the companies you are considering.
You also may want to get recommendations from friends,
neighbors, or relatives who use emergency response systems.
Shopping
Checklist
To help you shop for a PERS that
meets your needs, consider the following suggestions:
- Check out several systems before making a decision.
- Find out if you can use the system with other response
centers. For example, can you use the same system
if you move?
- Ask about the pricing, features, and servicing of
each system and compare costs.
- Make sure the system is easy to use.
- Test the system to make sure it works from every
point in and around your home. Make sure nothing interferes
with transmissions.
- Read your purchase, rental, or lease agreement carefully
before signing.
Questions
to Ask the Response Center
You also may want to ask questions
about the response center:
- Is the monitoring center available 24 hours a day,
7 days a week?
- What is the average response time?
- What kind of training does the center staff receive?
- What procedures does the center use to test systems
in your home? How often are tests conducted?
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