Choosing a medical alert provider for an elderly person living home alone is not an easy task. Here you'll find few important tips to consider when choosing a medical alert system for your loved one.
1Do your research. Don’t settle for one with the lowest price. Here are some things to look for
- Does the company offer 24/7 customer and technical support?
- How long has the company been in business? (A new company can be a bit risky.)
- What is the operator training process?
- Is system repair and replacement included?
- What is the warranty they offer?
- Does the system test itself automatically every week?
2Check if the company is UL (Underwriters Laboratory) listed. That means it has met very high standards. If it hasn’t, be very cautious.
3Make your decision, and buy your system. Test your system immediately. Here is what you should look for in your test:
- How long does it take for someone to speak with you?
- How clear does it sound?
- How far away can you be from it?
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- Check out websites that provide information that isn't sugar coated, and gives reasonable answers to questions.
- A money back trial gives you the opportunity to try a medical alert system without any financial penalties. Medical alert providers who are confident in their service will always offer this.
- Insist on at least a 30-day money back trial
- You will notice that there are providers who advertise that no long - term contract is required, yet will require that you pay 3 months in advance. Before agreeing to any contract, always ask what your first payment will be.
- Use a provider that has its own monitoring center... most outsource this process
- Low pricing should not be your only criteria
- Be wary of advance pre - payment requirements (3 - 24 months)
- Reputable providers cannot offer you proper medical alert service at rock bottom pricing without cutting down on their quality of service.
- Do a bit of a research. Look at different companies and be sure to speak with them on the phone. Ask as many questions as you need.
- The most important thing is the background of the ownership of the company. Stay away if they are from the burglar alarm business.
- Low prices are ok in this industry. there are more complaints about the companies that charge more. the public is not getting any more.
- If you are concerned about becoming unconscious or disoriented, and unable to summon assistance, consider subscribing to a reputable telephone check in service.
- Some companies offer a help button that has the ability to sense and detect falls and place a call for help when a fall has been detected.
- Try to avoid companies who do not have their own monitoring center.
- Avoid companies that give no guarantees in writing. How can a medical alert company that offers no contracts, prove that they will stand behind their service?
- Avoid companies that will not let members terminate their service if unsatisfied. If you're unsatisfied with your medical alert, they did not respond to your distress, and you may not be around to complain about it.