What is the most effective way of getting help during an emergency?
The best way to get the help you need during a time of crisis is by making sure you have a way to contact somebody immediately when it happens! Sounds simple right? “If I experience a fall or emergency, I’ll just call a family member or friend.” But what happens if you are unable to reach your phone after a fall leaves you immobilized? “My partner will be there to help me.” But, what if they are not home or begin panicking and are unable to help you during that time? Medical alert systems have emerged as invaluable tools for providing immediate assistance in emergencies.
What Are Medical Alert Systems?
Medical alarms are small devices that you keep on your person, usually around your neck or wrist, that help provide an extra layer of protection any time of day or night. When an emergency or fall occurs, you simply press a button and a process is initiated for you that will alert emergency contacts or emergency services depending on the situation. Medical alerts can offer peace of mind by providing a reliable way to summon help, even when individuals are unable to communicate verbally or even become unconscious and are unable to call for help themselves. These systems can be essential in emergencies, offering a lifeline to immediate assistance.
Payment Structures For Fall Alarm Buttons
Not all personal emergency response devices are created equally. Some are more simple, while others have advanced designs and sensors that can do a multitude of things like track your location or automatically detect falls when they occur. In the same way, not all of these devices are priced equally. Of course, some are cheaper and some more expensive, but the very structure in which you pay for the service varies as well. Most services offer a subscription model, where you pay month-to-month for their monitoring service, while others you may pay for the equipment or annually. The best service option is one that you are willing to wear and use. So it is important to find one that works for your needs and your wallet too. Some providers (like Victoria Lifeline) offer subsidy programs that may be worth checking out.
Which Medical Alert Button Should You Get?
Over the last decade, new emergency response buttons have flooded the market. This can be overwhelming when looking for an emergency safety device. With so many options, which one should you pick? And what criteria should you be looking for?
That’s why you landed here! We're going to use a list of criteria to examine the four most popular medical alert devices on the market today and determine which one is the best!
We will be looking at the following criteria for four of the largest brands in the medical alert market.
-
Multiple language options available?
-
Is a mobile option available?
-
Home installation Options
-
Is fall detection available?
-
How’s their customer support?
-
Do they have a dedicated call centre?
Lifeline (Victoria Lifeline)
About Victoria Lifeline
Victoria Lifeline is a local nonprofit that has been working with older adults and at-risk individuals in Manitoba to provide access to medical response devices (as well as other resources) for over 35 years. Their proceeds are reinvested back into the community through the Victoria Hospital Foundation to advance healthcare. They partner with Lifeline Canada to provide state-of-the-art technology to Manitobans. Lifeline, operating for over 50 years, is a trusted personal response service offering easy-to-use medical alert systems.
Multiple Language Options Available?
Yes, Lifeline stands out by offering its services in an impressive 240 languages, ensuring a diverse range of users can access help when needed. We know Manitobans are some of the most diverse people in the world! We acknowledge that our province is filled with people from many different backgrounds, who might not speak English as their first language. Lifeline makes sure to provide the widest umbrella of language accommodations to make sure that nobody is left out in the dark during an emergency.
Mobile Option Available?
Yes! Unlike most of our competitors, our On the Go mobile service uses 6 mobile locating technologies (including GPS) to make sure you are always found if an emergency arises outside of the home.
Home Installation Available?
When it comes to Home Installation, Victoria Lifeline goes the extra mile. We send a trained home service representative to install the equipment and walk you through how it works. If you have any questions about the service, they are on site to provide answers in real time. Equipment can also be picked up and installed independently if you prefer to do it yourself.
Fall Detection Options?
Our HomeSafe with Fall Detection and On the Go both contain state-of-the-art fall detection technology that is designed to detect a fall and alert the response centre automatically*. A great extra layer of safety in case you are left unconscious or unable to press the button yourself.
Customer Support
The Victoria Lifeline office is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba and we have 66 partners for the largest service delivery in the province. This helps us provide exceptional customer service to current and potential subscribers. Something that sets us apart from any competitor - we are here to help you at any stage in your buying journey and once you become a valued client. If you are still considering which medical alarm system to go with, our education facilitators can set up a free one-on-one consultation to go over our various service options and help you figure out which solution will work best for you. Not to mention, they are certified in fall prevention and will come to your home (or virtually) and provide exceptional advice that can help you live a safer life.
If your equipment gets a little worn out over time, like a frayed strap/neckcord, or it becomes damaged or even needs the battery changed, we will come to you and swap our equipment free of charge for as long as you have Lifeline!
Dedicated Call Centre
Lifeline has two dedicated call centres in Canada, located in Montreal and Toronto, with an impressive average response time of 30 seconds.
Life Assure
About Life Assure
Life Assure is a Canadian company that offers PERS products. The company offers two levels of service for a monthly fee. Some features come with an additional cost. “Classic Home” works in the home to provide 24/7 help when a button is pushed on a water-resistant pendant or wristband. Either one connects to a third-party monitoring centre through a base unit in the home with two-way voice communication through a landline or VoIP/cable. Fall detection is available for the pendant as an extra-cost option.
For an extra monthly fee, a “Protection Plan” is available for both medical alert services that provide support, repairs and a guarantee to keep your equipment in good working order.
Multiple Language Options Available?
Life Assure provides services in two languages: English and French.
Mobile Options Available?
Life Assure does offer a mobile button that wearers can use outside of the home. Their button only offers one GPS technology for locating the subscriber if they need help. This might be an issue if they are in an area where the GPS signal is weak or obstructed.
Home Installation Available?
Life Assure does not offer home installation. Equipment is mailed to your home and you must install and troubleshoot the equipment yourself and call in if any help is needed.
Fall Detection Options?
Life Assure's fall detection add-on measures movement in any direction, not just vertically. This can potentially lead to more false alarms.
Customer Support
To receive equipment repairs or support, you must subscribe to Life Assure’s “Protection Plan”. Does not have any local customer support. You will need to call their offices and speak to a representative. No physical support is offered.
Dedicated Call Centre
3rd party Outsourced and unfortunately, the call centre also handles burglar and security guard alarms, which call for different skills than helping seniors with medical issues.
Telus Health
About Telus Health
Telus offers a Medical Alert Pendant service for use at home and a “LivingWell Companion Go” mobile service. When the emergency button is pressed, a trained operator will respond and call emergency services for you if needed.
Multiple Language Options Available?
They are currently offering emergency support services in English, French, Punjabi, Cantonese and Mandarin. Their Medical Alert Operator team works with a third-party translation service to provide support in over 240 languages if needed.
Mobile Options Available?
Telus does offer a mobile button that wearers can use outside of the home. Their button only offers one GPS technology for locating the subscriber if they need help. This might be an issue if they are in an area where the GPS signal is weak or obstructed.
Home Installation Available?
Telus does not offer home installation. Equipment is mailed to your home and you must install and troubleshoot the equipment yourself and call in if any help is needed.
Fall Detection Options?
Telus does offer a fall detection option.
Customer Support
Does not have any local customer support. For any support, you will need to call their offices and speak to a representative. No physical support is offered for troubleshooting or damaged equipment. All servicing is done via mail and self-install.
Dedicated Call Centre
Their 3rd party call centre is outsourced. We were unable to find any info on where the call centre.
Apple Watch
About Apple Watch
The Apple Watch is a popular consumer product that lets you check and reply to messages, and notifications, get useful health data and of course, look at the time, all from your wrist! It also offers fall detection as a feature for users concerned about their safety. This product must be used near an iPhone or have its cellular plan to be able to transmit any signals when help is needed.
Multiple Language Options Available?
Just like you can set a language on your iPhone, you can do the same for your Apple watch. You can go into the device's settings, and change the language and all of the wording and voice assistants will be in the preferred language.
Mobile Options Available?
As you might guess, the Apple Watch is designed to be worn both inside the house and out. However, it is important to note that you will only be able to make calls if you have an iPhone nearby or a cellular data package on the watch.
Home Installation Available?
By the very nature of this consumer product, there is no home installation needed. There is only the watch, no communicator box. The setup will be similar to that of many other tech products like smartphones, smart watches, or computer devices. This may not be the best option for older adults who are not as tech-savvy. Any support will need to go to the general Apple customer support line as they do not have a dedicated customer support number for their health/fall detection feature.
Fall Detection Options?
With Fall Detection enabled, if Apple Watch detects a hard fall, it can help connect you to emergency services and send a message to your emergency contacts. If the Apple Watch detects a hard fall and you have been immobile for about a minute, it will tap your wrist, sound an alarm, and then attempt to call emergency services if you do not cancel.
Customer Support
The only customer support available is their general customer support contact. The same one is provided for any Apple-related issue. Should the watch be damaged or stop working, you will be able to replace it only if you have purchased the Apple Care add-on.
Dedicated Call Centre
As the Apple Watch is not a dedicated Medical Alert solution, there will be no trained response associate coming on the line and asking you if you need help when a fall or medical emergency occurs. It will only act as a tool to get you help, but it will be on you to make sure you are using the device right.
Why Is Victoria Lifeline The Best Emergency Alert Button?
Each medical alert system has its strengths and considerations. Why do we think Victoria Lifeline stands out from the rest of our competitors?
Manitobans Trust Us More Than Any Other Service!
It’s true, more Manitobans use Victoria Lifeline than any other device on the market. We have spent over 35 years working with individuals in our community to earn their trust. We don’t just send you equipment and bill you every month. We are here with you throughout the journey. We help caregivers have those difficult conversations with their loved ones about the benefits of a medical alarm with free one-on-one consultations. We also provide ongoing support to all of our subscribers whenever help is needed with their equipment. All you have to do is give our office a call and we’ll be happy to help you out.
Tested and Trusted Technology
We offer some of the most advanced medical alert technology on the market. From advanced fall detection and location technology to medication dispensers that help make sure you never miss a dose, we have the tools that can help you continue living independently!
This article is meant to be informational in nature and should not replace the advice of a trained healthcare professional. What works for some individuals, might be harmful to others. Consult a professional before making any significant changes. All information provided is based on information available online.
Blog by: Maor Tsitrin, Marketing & Communications Assistant
