| An emergency response system or sometimes | | | | monitor the response until the emergency |
| Personal Emergency Response system is a simple | | | | situation is resolved. |
| electronic gadget that is intended to make it | | | | Transmitter |
| possible to get help in an emergency situation. It is | | | | The transmitter unit is light weight and operated |
| particularly intended to provide protection and | | | | by battery power that must be recharged or |
| quick response to a senior citizen living alone or to | | | | replaced periodically. Checking the batteries |
| a disabled person. The Personal Emergency | | | | regularly helps to insure that they remain |
| Response system is also called a Medical | | | | operational. The transmitter has one or two |
| Emergency Response System. | | | | buttons for calling help. The transmitter is worn on |
| The Personal Emergency Response system is | | | | a wrist band or around the neck on a chain. They |
| intended for use by a person living alone or one | | | | can be attached to a belt, or simply carried in the |
| who is not able to get around physically. In an | | | | pocket. Some transmitter units reflect low |
| emergency situation where the person has fallen | | | | batteries by means of a battery level indicator. |
| and is not able to get up, help can be summoned | | | | Dialer |
| by pressing a help button that is worn on the | | | | The console or automatic dialing machine picks up |
| person. Other people who make good use of the | | | | the radio signal from the transmitter and send the |
| Personal Emergency Response System are those | | | | alert through the private telephone line system. In |
| who have medical conditions such as diabetes | | | | the event of a telephone system with more than |
| where there is a danger of falling into a coma. | | | | one extension, some special wiring or jacks may |
| The help button may never been needed, but | | | | be required in order to grab the line. |
| family members of an elderly individual get peace | | | | Emergency Response Center |
| of mind when they know their loved one will have | | | | The console dials into one of two different types |
| emergency help quickly if needed. | | | | of emergency response centers. Manufacturer |
| A Medical Emergency Response system is made | | | | based centers usually have only one operation |
| up of three components: the radio transmitter | | | | center nationwide. Provider based systems are |
| that is worn or carried by the user at all times, a | | | | found locally. They are often run by social service |
| connection through a console at the telephone, | | | | agencies or by regional hospitals. Because users |
| and the center for emergency call monitoring. | | | | often have the choice of renting the Personal |
| The Personal Emergency Response system is put | | | | Emergency Response System or purchasing their |
| into operation when the user needs emergency | | | | equipment it usually makes the difference |
| help, such as the police, fire department or in the | | | | whether the local center is available to the |
| event of a medical emergency. The system user | | | | consumer. Equipment leased from the |
| presses the help button on the transmitter, which | | | | manufacturer is usually part of single nationwide |
| automatically emits a radio signal that is picked up | | | | center. Occasionally, the user can choose which |
| by the console. The console is pre- programmed | | | | type of system he prefers--manufacturer based |
| to dial one or more telephone numbers that are | | | | or provider based. |
| selected by the user. For example, if an elderly | | | | Customers sometimes choose to buy the |
| person has fallen and injured a hip so that they | | | | equipment but the majority rent Since most |
| can't arise, the user would press the help button. | | | | insurance companies won't pay for either the daily |
| The emergency response number would be dialed | | | | monitoring, the equipment or the installation of the |
| in many instances. This usually can be done even | | | | unit. A purchased unit will run anywhere from |
| if the telephone handset is off the hook or in use. | | | | $200 up to $5,000. The installation fee and |
| Some systems have information about medical | | | | monitoring fee will cost an additional amount. |
| history at the call center so that they would | | | | When the PERS unit is rented, the monthly fee |
| contact an adult child or a spouse. | | | | usually includes the monitoring service. Typically, |
| If the center staff can't determine what the | | | | rentals or leased units are handles through |
| nature of the emergency is, they will send a | | | | hospitals, social service agencies, home health |
| response team to the location and will continue to | | | | providers or other businesses. |