How Does a Medical Alarm Work?

A medical alarm, also known as a medical alert or a PERS (Personal Emergency Response System), is an alarm system that is designed to send a wireless signal when there is an emergency that needs urgent attention and summoning either family, friends, or emergency medical personnel.

The medical alarms process involves electrical systems usually having a wireless transmitter or pendant that could be activated in case of an emergency.

When the device is activated, a signal is sent to the base station of the company offering medical alarms service, other programmed phone numbers, or other emergency agency. Medical personnel is then sent to the place where the medical alarm was activated.

Disabled people and seniors living alone commonly require/use the medical alarms service. A typical system is made up of a lightweight waterproof watch or pendant which the user carries or wears at home, plus an alarm unit that is plugged into the telephone line or internet.

Some systems have a watch or pendant which can be worn in the shower or bath and have an effective distance that covers most typical homes.

Family and Friends Option

Medical alarms are capable of directly calling friends and family members. When friends and family take all the calls, usually there will be no ongoing monthly monitoring charges.

When friends or family answer the call, they'll hear the voice message; then they’ll immediately know that the user needs assistance.

Also, some alarm systems come with load speakers, allowing the callers to speak directly to the person who needs assistance through the alarm unit. Alarm systems with Friends and Family options are usually capable of sending the user's distress call anywhere they have a mobile or fixed phone service.

The company that provides the medical alarm service will call friends or family if the unit's power disconnects for several hours.

24/7 Monitoring Service 

The medical alarm can also be set up to call a 24/7 monitoring service for an ongoing monthly fee. That provides security and reduces anxiety that the user might feel regarding inconveniencing others.

If someone decides to choose this option, then the medical alert will call the medical alarm base station, and a trained emergency medical personnel will receive the call. The medical personnel will immediately know the person that needs help and will try speaking to the caller over the medical alert loudspeaker.

If the medical personnel can’t speak with the caller or depending on the conditions and the pre-completed instructions, the medical personnel could call the user's family or friends, call an ambulance to go to the site or other emergency services.

The monitoring service will also check the operation of the medical alarm unit regularly to make sure that the device is functioning well and they receive every main unit power failure call.

Types of Devices Used for Triggering the Alarm

• A smartphone.
• Radar-based detectors placed in a room.
• Installed motion detectors installed in a home.
• Wristband.
• A Small device that is worn on the belt.
• A pendant that is worn around the neck.