By
Rhonda C
Submitted On February 04, 2011
Consider it the "graying of America." The aging "Baby Boomer"
population has put a large strain on those who are responsible for care
and services for elderly people. The attempt to keep up with the
requirements of an aging population requires that large-scale
adjustments be made by both government and private institutions.
This demographic shift has caused home medical monitoring systems to gain popularity in recent years. The rise in the prominence of these systems began in the 1980s with the increased capability of phone lines to handle more complicated data signals. Since that time, the advancements in medical alert services have been astonishing. There are more and more features available, and more and more providers. The competition between the companies that provide these services result in more advanced and reliable systems.
A home medical response system can be a lifesaver, especially for the elderly who may not be ready for a nursing home, but may need some supervision. Elderly alert systems are designed to enable medical professionals at remote locations to view, analyze and react to medical information received from mobile users via wireless monitoring devices. The technology within some of the more advanced systems allows for the monitoring of the heart, blood pressure, blood glucose levels, pulse, weight and vital signs. These devices can provide a realistic alternative to nursing home care where the average price tag can be as much as $50,000 or more per year.
You want the best for your loved one, so that means doing your homework before making a decision. Here are a few considerations:
• The support should back the technology. A high-tech medical monitoring system is nothing without a competent call center to back it up. The call center and the response from its monitors is the key to the operation.
• Do your research and find out how call centers rate. It's better to find a provider that does its own monitoring and does not outsource or subcontract its call center. An outsourced call center may be handling calls and alerts from many different companies, and this can compromise their level of attention and response. It is very important that service be provided 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. If a company cannot provide that, then continue your search.
• When in doubt, do some research and look for complaints about a particular company through the Better Business Bureau. Also, take a look at online reviews from customers.
• Don't be afraid to ask questions about the product or customer support. For example, ask what happens if the power goes out or if phone service is lost and find out what the backup plan is if these things should occur.
Don't cave into pressure; there are enough competent medical alert service providers on the market who want your business. Stay away from contracts if at all possible. You'll want to avoid being locked in if the provider fails to live up to their end of the deal. Make sure that you are free to leave for another company at any time if the one whose services you purchase do not live up to their obligations.
This demographic shift has caused home medical monitoring systems to gain popularity in recent years. The rise in the prominence of these systems began in the 1980s with the increased capability of phone lines to handle more complicated data signals. Since that time, the advancements in medical alert services have been astonishing. There are more and more features available, and more and more providers. The competition between the companies that provide these services result in more advanced and reliable systems.
A home medical response system can be a lifesaver, especially for the elderly who may not be ready for a nursing home, but may need some supervision. Elderly alert systems are designed to enable medical professionals at remote locations to view, analyze and react to medical information received from mobile users via wireless monitoring devices. The technology within some of the more advanced systems allows for the monitoring of the heart, blood pressure, blood glucose levels, pulse, weight and vital signs. These devices can provide a realistic alternative to nursing home care where the average price tag can be as much as $50,000 or more per year.
You want the best for your loved one, so that means doing your homework before making a decision. Here are a few considerations:
• The support should back the technology. A high-tech medical monitoring system is nothing without a competent call center to back it up. The call center and the response from its monitors is the key to the operation.
• Do your research and find out how call centers rate. It's better to find a provider that does its own monitoring and does not outsource or subcontract its call center. An outsourced call center may be handling calls and alerts from many different companies, and this can compromise their level of attention and response. It is very important that service be provided 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. If a company cannot provide that, then continue your search.
• When in doubt, do some research and look for complaints about a particular company through the Better Business Bureau. Also, take a look at online reviews from customers.
• Don't be afraid to ask questions about the product or customer support. For example, ask what happens if the power goes out or if phone service is lost and find out what the backup plan is if these things should occur.
Don't cave into pressure; there are enough competent medical alert service providers on the market who want your business. Stay away from contracts if at all possible. You'll want to avoid being locked in if the provider fails to live up to their end of the deal. Make sure that you are free to leave for another company at any time if the one whose services you purchase do not live up to their obligations.
Rhonda C is a team member at Alert1 and is the author of this
article about elderly home medical monitoring [http://life-response.com]
in the form of medical alert devices [http://life-response.com].
Life-Response offers protection during a personal emergency through
24-hour emergency medical help available at the press of a button.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Rhonda_C/803492
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