Company Spotlight: Senior Health Insights

May 8th, 2012 by mackenzie

The following post was written by Paula Enrietto, the managing director of Senior Health Insights.

Senior Health Insights, a Louisville, CO based company was founded by Paula Enrietto, PhD and Neil Kabrun, PhD to support seniors and those who care for them with software, services and education. Our goal is to optimize the living experience for all seniors. Our unique mix of skills as caregivers, senior living an operator, educators and software developers comes together to provide tools and services to service providers and seniors themselves. Our senior housing specific software suite, SHI Optimize TM, allows senior housing providers to track and analyze marketing, sales and operational activities.  With real data, we help them optimize the operational performance of their communities and deliver high quality services to your residents and families.

Why did we choose the word “optimize” to describe the outcome of using SHI products and services? As operators of a senior living community, we were always on the lookout for ways to improve the experience of the seniors who lived in our community as well as the business of operating a senior living community. But, we soon realized that we were working with a palette of conflicting requirements and constraints. Rather than simply improving my community, we were optimizing it. Optimize is a word rich in meaning and is a perfect word to describe the process we were going through. And—a perfect word to describe the life transitions that residents were going through within the community.

Simply put, “optimize” is defined as the process of making something as effective and functional as possible; of finding the best compromise among several seemingly conflicting constraints. In the world of senior living operations, this was exemplified by the need to deliver first class services to residents in the face of significant budget constraints.

Interestingly, it became clear that the residents living in the community were there to “optimize” their lives. They expected an experience that would support healthy, successful aging. What does successful aging look like? It is defined as the development of optimal mental, social and physical well-being and function. Most often, however, successful aging plays out against a background of constraints that come with declining health. How does a senior age as effectively as possible in a community given these constraints? Through the delivery of optimized services that fully supports their quest for optimal aging.

So, to optimize is to find the best solution, given many conflicting constraints, that leads to an effective outcome—be it successful aging or a well-run operation. Senior Health Insights is about providing those tools and services to insure that seniors live the best life possible!

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Company Spotlight: NanaHood

May 4th, 2012 by mackenzie

Who is Nanahood?

Nanahood is written by grandmother, mother, and author Teresa Bell Kindred.  She uses Nanahood to reach out to mothers, grandmothers, and often those that have been affected by Breast Cancer.  Breast Cancer has touched Teresa in a very poignant way, which is  evident by her decision to Blog Pink.  An effort to literally use pink throughout her blog, and to continually highlight the efforts to cure Breast Cancer.   Nanahood is a fun, compassionate blog that genuinely aims to touch on the concerns of today’s woman.

Teresa is the author of several books including The Knot at the End of Your Rope; Ten Ways to Hold on When You are Stressed Out and Mom: PhD-A Simple 6 Step course on Leadership for Moms. She was a major contributor to Humor for a Teacher’s Heart and Cup of Comfort Devotional: Daily Reminders of God’s Love and Grace. She also authored four Precious Moments books that were illustrated by Sam Butcher.

She has a M.A. in Secondary Education and has taught 7th graders, high school students and college classes and considers herself a child advocate and proponent of education reform for public schools. It is her personal opinion that public school teachers are overworked, underpaid and under-appreciated.

Teresa lives in Kentucky with her husband of almost thirty years, Bill (aka Poppa) her twin sons who she can always tell apart (if she has her glasses on) and their seven dogs. She loves being a nana and anxiously awaits the day when she has at least as many grandchildren as she has dogs.

Aging Gracefully

This is a portion of a recent post on NanaHood.  To read the complete post go here.

Have you ever heard the expression “aging gracefully?” I’m not sure where I heard it and I’m not sure how to do it either.

First of all, I am not-nor have I ever been graceful. By the time I was in 8th grade I was six feet tall and had feet so big they were exceptionally easy to trip over.

Then there’s the aging part. Why is it that we humans can’t wait to grow up and then spend so much time on clothes and products to make us look younger?  Have you ever been to the department store and checked out the womens makeup section? You could easily spend a small (or large) fortune on creams that supposedly get rid of wrinkles.

While I haven’t got the aging gracefully thing figured out yet I do know how NOT to age gracefully. Have you ever ween older women wearing clothes that even their daughters shouldn’t wear? If it is too skimpy for a young person what makes them think it looks good on them? I challenge you to go to the mall (or the water park if you are really brave) and just sit and people watch. It won’t take you long to find someone who is NOT aging gracefully.

I do know at least one person who aged gracefully, my grandmother.

To read more posts from Nanahood, check out her blog here.

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Are You Retirement-Ready?

May 3rd, 2012 by Angela Stringfellow

The past few years of economic turmoil led many experts to predict that Baby Boomers would be staying in the workforce much longer than expected, as many lost their nest eggs when stock prices plummeted. But it seems that Boomers are again showing us that they’re not predictable: A recent report in The Seattle Times indicates that the first wave of Boomers reaching traditional retirement age have wasted no time hanging it up and setting out on their retirement journey.

MetLife wrapped up a follow-up to a 2008 study looking at trends and retirement patterns, finding that 59 percent of the first group of Boomers to reach retirement age have at least partially retired. Forty-five percent are fully retired, while 14 percent have retired from their careers but are currently holding part-time employment. They’re happy about it, too: About 70 percent of those retired say they’re enjoying it greatly, while 96 percent report liking retiree status at least a little.

Boomers are embracing retirement

Image by jan-willem on Stock.xchng

And the retirement wave doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. In fact, 37 percent of the group still working have plans to retire within the next year, and 63 percent are already collecting Social Security retirement benefits. The vast majority of Boomers who have reached retirement age say they plan to retire by the age of 68.

However, just because they’re moving forward with their retirement plans doesn’t necessarily mean they’re still in the financial position they were set up for a decade ago. It seems most Boomers are taking an optimistic approach to retirement, hoping that financial circumstances work out for the best or they’ll find a way to make things work. And some experts are skeptical about the viability of this approach. For instance, a study conducted last year by Vanguard, a mutual fund company, found that the average value of 401(k)s for individuals 65 and older was just $163,000 — hardly enough to sustain a lifestyle for 20 to 30 more years.

The Wall Street Journal also investigated this issue last year. Their findings indicate that “the median household headed by a person 60 to 62 with a 401(k) account has less than one-quarter of what is needed in that account to maintain its standard of living in retirement.” Grim news for those with just three to five years left to save.

So what are Boomers to do? Many have worked 40-plus hour workweeks for at least 40 years, many of them 50 years or more. Retirement is the one point in life most members of the working class look forward to: The time when they’re able to put their working years behind them and live life to the fullest. Delaying that opportunity for five or ten years could mean your health may have declined and you might find yourself not able to do the things you’ve always dreamed of.

Many choose to throw caution to the wind and move forward with their retirement plans, thinking they’ll get another job if they find their savings and pension payments (if any) aren’t adequate to maintain their lifestyles. The problem with this approach is that unemployment rates are still high, and older workers are finding it more difficult to get a job post-retirement. Even companies who are already employing older workers are offering buyouts and other incentives to encourage early retirement. That’s because many older and more-experienced workers are earning significantly higher wages, especially those who have been with the company for many years.

So what’s your plan for retirement? Are you delaying it to boost your nest egg or jumping in with full force?

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Senior Home Care Options: Aging at Home

May 3rd, 2012 by Angela Stringfellow

Guest post written by Alex Chamberlain, Executive Director, home care, Aging Wisely

Various surveys of seniors return the same results: seniors say they wish to stay in their own homes as they age.  What this most likely reflects is the desire to stay independent and in control more than simply the attachment to the home (though a home often has great emotional significance as well).  The reality is that many of us will remain healthy and strong well in to our later years, but we will be more prone to chronic conditions and possibly less able to manage a household.

What resources are available to help?  Senior home care covers a wide range of services, delivered a variety of ways.  It can all be quite confusing, so we will help break it down along with some tips and considerations.

Many individuals and families hire someone privately to assist with household tasks or care.  They may use classified ads, recommendations or matching services to find help.  It is important to understand the pros and cons of these methods.  You do expose yourself to potential liability and take on certain employment/tax responsibilities.  You also will typically forego having backup, so you will need to make other arrangements if the individual is ill or has conflicts.  Get good advice before you make a decision and determine how the costs break down when all factors are considered.

Alex Chamberlain

Alex Chamberlain, Executive Director, Easy Living, Inc.

There are also various types of agencies/companies you can hire for home care.  Unfortunately, these entities are regulated by each state, so there is some variation in standards/requirements.  Some states do not regulate companion or non-medical care.  Other states license and regulate both medical home health care (which also may be Medicare certified) and non-medical home care.  Check with your state to find out more about the regulations.  It can help you to “compare apples to apples” and be more educated on your options.

Regardless of the type of provider you hire, have a good understanding of their background and track record in providing care.  Get recommendations and find out how they hire, train and supervise staff.  Ask them about experience with your particular situation, disease or needs.  Ask them how they will match caregivers to your needs, how they plan care specific to you and how they manage backup care.  If you are a family caregiver, especially at a distance or caring for a loved one with dementia, how will they communicate with you?

After determining your home care options and finding some local resources, the next question is usually financial.  Who pays for home care? What does insurance cover? Medicare pays for limited home health care, but not custodial care (the long-term type of care often needed to remain home such as household support, meal preparation, help with hygiene etc.).  Long term care insurance policies typically have a home care option, so if you have purchased long-term care insurance you may be able to submit a claim to have your care covered.  There are some state, federal and other assistance programs available to help, especially for individuals with limited financial resources.  To learn more, you can get a copy of EasyLiving’s Paying for Home Care Fact Sheet.

There are a number of supportive services that can also be beneficial to the senior living alone who begins to need some help.  Senior nutrition services, ranging from Meals on Wheels to senior dining programs or hiring someone to prepare meals, can aide in good health.  There are a number of technologies that can help too, from personal emergency response systems (“fall buttons”) to monitoring systems and electronic medication dispensers.

About the author:  Alex Chamberlain is Executive Director at EasyLiving, Inc., a fully licensed, private duty home health care company serving individuals and families in Pinellas and Pasco counties in Florida.  EasyLiving was named a 2011 “Top Small Business in the South” by Business Leader Magazine and the 4th fastest growing company in Tampa Bay Business Journal’s “Fast 50” of 2010.

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Company Spotlight: Long Term Care Associates

May 1st, 2012 by Angela Stringfellow

Like most successful companies, ours was founded to serve a growing need in the community, then nurtured by the passion and dedication of our founders.

Established by Frank M. Forman in 1974, Forman & Associates, Inc. soon ranged across 11 Western states, protecting thousands of policyholders against the gaps left by Medicare and Medicaid.  These two government programs, launched a few years earlier in 1965, were generating a tidal wave of change in the way our aged population was about to receive, and pay for, its extended care.

Medicare itself—for all its good—came at a high financial cost.

No one knew this better than the government itself.  In order to curb program costs in the 1980’s, Medicare began capping payments to doctors and hospitals based on a principle known as “DRG’s”.  In this system, each “Diagnostic Related Group” would be reimbured only a fixed amount.  This created a perverse incentive, since—if a provider could treat a patient for less than its fixed fee—it was allowed to keep any overpayment.  Hospitals quickly took advantage of this loophole by discharging patients “quicker and sicker”—where once they would rehabilitate during a lengthy hospital stay, patients could now look forward to long rehab stints in nursing homes.

This created a boom in Nursing Facility utilization.  While the market adjusted, Forman & Associates, Inc. was at the forefront.  By the mid-1980’s, Mr. Forman was courted by some of the largest insurers in the country to help design and develop their LTCi products to address this emerging trend.

Long Term Care Associates

By the time the “second generation” of LTCi products came to market in the late 1980’s, the second generation of Formans was entering the family business, now stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific.  Patriarch Frank Forman remained a sought-after public speaker for groups as diverse and distinguished as the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the American Health Care Association (AHCA), the National Council on Aging (NCA), the National Association for Home Care (NAHC), and the National Governors’ Association.  Mr. Forman was also invited to provide expert testimony on LTC-related issues before the United States Congress.

His sons Gary and Stephen responded to the growing hunger for agent training in the Pacific Northwest as demand rose for this burgeoning industry.  The oldest son—Robert—moved to Nashville in order to take command of a Fortune 500 subsidiary by the name of Long Term Preferred Care, Inc. (LTPC), one of the nation’s largest LTCi distributors.

As the “Graying of America” set in, mobile families made care from remote relatives increasingly less likely, while consumer-driven policies began to cover a vast array of new modalities from Assisted Living to Home and Community Based Care options.

Where do we go from here?

Like every industry they’ve touched, it is the Baby Boomers who most shape today’s LTC industry.  Turning 65 at the rate of 10,000 per day, the amount of care they are predicted to utilize, and its cost, will be unprecedented.  The Government has made it clear that personal responsibility will play a key role in funding the cost of that care.  Reinforcing this message are LTCi policies with both tax-deductible premiums and tax-free benefits, and new “Partnership Policies” which protect assets from Medicaid spenddown and estate recovery in order to encourage their purchase.

LTCA’s mission is to ease the financial and emotional burden that a catastrophic care event can have on families.  Today, we’re proud that the claims received by our policyholders have exceeded $14,000,000 and counting.  With nearly 100 years of combined LTCi experience between the principals of our firm, we lead the country by serving over 5 million members of sponsoring organizations.  Now entering our 5th decade, our commitment and passion for this business remain as strong as ever.

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Joan’s Journey: The Good, The Bad, and The Musty.

April 30th, 2012 by mackenzie

We have all been waiting anxiously to hear Joan’s final rankings of the communities she visited in Seattle and Los Angeles.  And I am glad to announce that the wait is over!  Joan’s latest blog post details her favorite and least favorite communities in Seattle and Los Angeles.

Joan’s journey has taken her across the west coast looking at Senior Housing near her children.  She is excited to announce her first choice pick, as well as, offer you some advice on how to find the best community for you!

Some of the Highlights from her latest Post:

  1. Weather was a critical factor in her decision.   Weather became a even bigger deal when one home did not take proper care of their community.  A musty, moldy smelling community is no ones first choice.
  2. There are some advantages to living in a community that is part of a bigger company.  Companies like Holiday Senior Living, allow residents to vacation at any of its 300 plus locations across the United States and Canada.
  3. Lastly remember 3 Key things in your Senior Search, RVI:  Research, Visit, Investigate.  Joan stresses the importance of these three things in your senior search.

For more of Joan’s tips and to read about her #1 and #2 communities, go to her blog here.

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Senior Health and Retirement

April 27th, 2012 by Elizabeth

For many of us, it seems like health care and financial security were just topics discussed at the dinner table a few years ago. But after a few more birthdays and a couple of grey hairs we find ourselves on the doorstep of retirement.

This week we bring you another set of websites dedicated to helping seniors achieve financial freedom. Better finances translate to wider options when it comes to health care and great places to retire.

the ageless project

Extensive source of quality websites and senior resources

GrandmaBetty.com

the Starting Point for Baby Boomers and Seniors

Over 1,000 Info Sources and Products for Baby Boomers and Seniors as seen in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Fox News, BBC, CBS…”

I would like to take a moment to tell you why I, Grandma Betty, developed this site with you in mind. Why GrandmaBetty.com will save you time, frustration and aggravation. We all have enough aggravation. The Internet should make you more productive.

First of all I am a real life Grandmother and my name really is Betty – thus – GrandmaBetty.com. In February of 1998 the company I was working for moved. I was not able to make the daily commute to the new location so I effectively was forced into retirement at the young age of 68. Being a relatively youthful person who still wanted to contribute to society I sought out a way to add value to people’s lives.

To read the complete story please click here, GrandmaBetty Story, or if you’re looking for any specific service and product visit GrandmaBetty.com, the most comprehensive source of information for boomers and seniors.

BOOMERNET

The Baby Boomers’ Surfing Center

Boomernet is probably one of the oldest sites on the internet, dating back to 1995. The site is owned and maintained by Terry Cochran, who has recently found his calling as a webmaster for several websites across the country.

Boomernet is a site dedicated to providing quality information for the boomer generation. The site contains a vast resource of information of topics from health, movies, music and everything in between.

Great Retirement Places

Hosted by Dave and Linda Manley, Great Retirement Places is site dedicated to finding and exploring affordable retirement places in warm climates-places with no snow. This includes southern Arizona, Florida and seaside regions of other Gulf States, as well as tropical overseas locations such as Mexico and Central America. We explore Costa Rica, Panama, and Belize, as well as other tropical places in the Mediterranean, Asia, Oceania, and South America.

Healthy Midlife

Well, it was bound to happen. Have enough birthdays under your belt and before you know it, 35 happens. Then, blink. And you’re in your 40s. You’re middle aged.

Healthy Midlife came about when two couples met over dinner and started to discuss the challenges we’ve experienced since entering midlife. Our personal stories seemed to mirror much of what we hear in the media.

Between the four of us, we had a clichéd checklist of health related issues: Weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol. Midlife crisis and depression also had visited some of our group.

.. not just Another Baby Boomer


Karlyn lives in Southern California with her husband, two grown kids and the rambunctious Copper dog. She teaches computer workshops to young people and enjoys freelance writing and design jobs at her leisure.

Karlyn’s not just Another Baby Boomer is a wonderful resource for senior news and health care articles. A busy webmaster, she also maintains a couple of women oriented websites. not just Another Baby Boomer contains informative articles that touch on senior health care and illnesses.

I Retire Early

I Retire Early is a finance blog for people who want advice or to learn about debt, how to manage their personal finances, business, job and careers, and investments. The purpose is to provide you with financial knowledge so you can make informed decisions based.  As the name suggests, our ultimate goal is to help you plan for and retire early.

Started in 2010 by Shravan, the site is now maintained by Chris Snelling in September 2011. Chris is a Chartered Financial Analyst who has experience working for the mortgage industry, investment banking, investment banking associate and various businesses. He is the chief writer for I Retire Early and other financial websites and blogs.

http://www.iretireearly.com/

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Company Spotlight: The Care Navigator

April 26th, 2012 by Angela Stringfellow

When Pamela D. Wilson was a little girl, she made a list of her life’s goals. Among the goals: Care for old people. Through her company, The Care Navigator she’s doing just that.

The company was born out of necessity.  She watched as an elderly, home bound friend struggled when her in-home care services were inadequate, which was compounded by the lack of qualified resources to assist in finding good care. It was then that Pamela knew she needed to do more to provide seniors and their families. The Care Navigator was born to provide education, planning and counseling to help seniors, their families and caregivers maintain stability and dignity and reduce caregiver stress and caregiver overwhelm as they transition through various stages of aging.

The Care Navigator

The Care Navigator works to provide life management and care coordination services for older adults.

Services provided include:

  • Care Assessments
  • Care Planning
  • Moving Assistance
  • Physician Recommendations
  • Financial Assistance
  • Insurance Assistance
  • Guardianships

Every client receives an initial 15-minute telephone consultation free in order to establish if The Care Navigator can be or assistance to them. Rates vary based upon the services provided and the level of care needed. It’s important to note that The Care Navigator does not receive funding from any of the facilities or services. It makes each recommendation based upon the individual need of the client.

Additionally, The Care Navigator advocates for families in crisis situations.

Precious Cargo

In an attempt to lessen the stress associated with moving, the Precious Cargo program helps seniors who are making the transition to a senior care community..  From helping find the perfect community to ensuring valuable mementos are safely moved or stored, the program provides seniors and their families a single point of contact during the entire transition process.

Library of helpful resources

The Care Navigator provides an extensive list of senior care related articles and videos. Visitors have access to free information on elder abuse, money and finances, nutrition, caregiver stress and general caregiving topics and a variety of other topics. Additionally, readers can download, Caregiving: Defining Relationships, Setting Boundaries and Managing Change, a free guidebook for caregivers.

The Care Navigator Blog

A 2012 Best of the Web nominee, The Care Navigator Blog has been providing its readers with an array of senior care information since the end of 2007.  Authored by Pamela, she focuses on five key areas including:

  • Adults Caring for Themselves
  • Children and Caregivers
  • Political Trends and Updates
  • Tips for Self Advocacy
  • Trends and Education

The blog follows the company’s mission and works to provide information to help reduce the stress that often is associated with caregiver overwhelm.

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SeniorHomes.com Weekly Roundup

April 24th, 2012 by Angela Stringfellow

This Week in Senior Living News

Aging News:

Twitter isn’t just for the younger generation. Aging blogger and author Holly Robinson takes a look at how she became a Twitter addict. She was reluctant to try it but found that it’s a great way to get news, drive traffic to sites that are important to her and support others in her network.  Read more about Holly’s love of Twitter at HuffingtonPost’s The Blog.

No Regrets.  A new study in the journal Science reports that letting go of regrets may have be beneficial for maintaining emotional health as we age. A similar study showed that regret has a negative effect on the immune system and hormones. Check out the full story here.

Senior Living News:

In an effort to provide its residents with exceptional care, an assisted living facility in California has partnered with a premier geriatrician. Belmont Vista assisted living community now provides onsite medical care ranging from physical examinations to x-rays and EKGs. Check out the full details here.

The cost of skilled nursing is rising at a much higher rate than that of assisted living. According to a new report released by Genworth Financial, the yearly cost of assisted living is less than half that of a private room in a skilled nursing facility. Check out the full details at Assisted Living Federation of America.

Is your wife talking to you less?

Image by petercaulf on Stock.xchng

Caregiver Stories and Advice:

Seniors aren’t just concerned with caring for their aging loved ones, but many are stepping up to care for their young grandchildren. Many are facing financial and emotional difficulties that come with raising children on limited incomes. But, most say they wouldn’t have it any other way. To read more about these loving grandparents check out this story.

A new Canadian report examines the breakdown in the country’s support for caregivers and elderly needing in-home support. Many people with complex diagnoses, like Alzheimer’s disease, are only receiving a few hours more care than those with moderate diagnosis. Read more about the consequences of the limited support at The Globe and Mail.

Tech Roundup:

According to a recently released report, 40 percent of consumers are turning to social networks to find reviews of doctors and learn about treatments and procedure. But, many health care organizations are slow to adopt social media into their practices. Read more on how individuals are using social media to revolutionize their healthcare.

Operations and On the Political Beat:

The Obama administration announced this week that they are expanding the use of competitive bidding for medical equipment. The test program saved money for taxpayers and patients without compromising quality of care. Medicare reports the most common equipment purchased in the program include diabetes testing supplies and oxygen. To learn more, check out The New York Times for the full story.

Things that make you say, “Huh?” and our favorite unexpected news of the week:

Have you noticed your wife isn’t speaking to you as often as she used to? You’re not alone. According to a new study, women tend to shift their focus to younger females after their child-bearing years, in what some believe is a shift in thinking from bearing their own children to grandchildren. Read more about this shift in contact at the Ottawa Citizen.

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How To Choose The Right Medical Alert System For You

April 24th, 2012 by Angela Stringfellow

Guest Post by Bryan Stapp, President of American Response Technologies, Inc.

There are many good medical alert systems available on the market today, and the choices can be overwhelming.  The good news is there are lots of options; they are highly reliable, and also very affordable.  The bad news is that it can be confusing to sort through all the choices.

Here is an overview of the differences between some of the most popular medical alert systems available to you, and some ideas on things to look for.

With any system you consider, we recommend you look for companies who offer:

  • Name brand equipment with warranty.  Look for quality names you’ve heard of like BOSCH or GE
  • No long term contract – never sign a long term contract, your situation may change
  • 30 Day return policy

Two-Way Medical Alert System with 24/7 Monitoring

This is the most popular type of medical alert system, and is often called a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS).  You’ve probably seen these systems advertised on TV.  This type of medical alert system consists of a two-way console which communicates with a monitoring center.  A signal is sent when you press the button that is worn on your wrist or around the neck as a pendant.

The monitoring center will have your complete information on a computer screen at the time you call.  They will take appropriate action depending on the situation, including dispatching 911 to your location and notifying people on your call list.  This is the type of medical alert system offered by Medical Care Alert and many other good companies.

Typical Cost: $27.45 a month and higher.

Things to look for:

  • Range of the pendant signal to the base unit  – 800 feet minimum
  • US Based monitoring agents, not based overseas
  • Name brand equipment with warranty.  Look for quality names you’ve heard of like BOSCH or GE
  • No long term contract – never sign a long term contract, you situation may change
  • 30 Day return policy

American Response Technologies, Inc.

Two-Way Medical Alert System, No Monitoring, Calls 911 or other number

This type of medical alert system consists of a two-way console and button which will dial any phone number you program into the unit.  It will call a neighbor, family member, doctor, 911 (except in California and Illinois) or any other number you program.

Typical Cost: $275.00 – $350.00 to purchase.

Things to look for:

  • Range of the pendant signal to the base unit  – 800 feet minimum
  • Phone type – many do not support VoIP phones or DSL phones from your cable company
  • 911 policy in your local area – residents of California and Illinois may not program 911 into this type of medical alert system – check your local laws before considering this type of system

Two-Way Medical Alert System with Speakerphone Pendant – Monitored or not-monitored

This type of medical alert system may have monitoring, or may dial a number you choose directly.  The distinguishing feature is that the pendant itself is a two-way speakerphone and allows the user to communicate with the base as long as they are within range.  The range of these systems is limited, often only  100-300 feet from the base.

Medical Alert SystemsThe advantage of this type of medical alert system is the ability to speak into the pendant if you are far away from the base unit and cannot be heard.  However, these pendants are large, and look like a small walkie-talkie around the neck.  They also require frequent battery changes, and are uncomfortable to wear at night in bed.

Typical Cost: $34.95 a month and higher for a monitored system.  $275.00 – $350.00 to purchase a system without monitoring.

Things to look for:

  • Range of the pendant signal to the base unit  – These systems tend to have a shorter range
  • Will the senior actually wear it?  Users tell us that seniors find these large pendants annoying and tend to remove them, placing them on a nightstand or table nearby.  This defeats the purpose of the system, which needs to be on your person at all times in the event of an emergency.

Cellular Medical Alert Systems – Not Monitored, Calls 911

This type of medical alert system is often sold as an “add-on” to a traditional Medical Alert system with monitoring.  The small, hand-held device transmits a signal via GSM cellular when the button is pressed and dials 911 directly.

The advantage of this type of medical alert system is the perceived added security to have access to emergency personnel when you are outside of the home, or beyond the range of your home medical alert system.

However, it’s important to understand what these systems do, and what they don’t do:

  • Calls 911 – the call will be routed to 911 based on the location of the nearest cellular tower that connects your call
  • No Location Information Provided – these are not GPS systems.  If you are unable to speak, 911 will only know the location of the cellular tower closest to your current location.  In 2012, cellular providers are required to give 911 a geo-location within 300 meters (about 1,000 feet) of the location of the signal.
  • No Personal Information Provided – 911 will not know your name, or personal medical history.

We are aware of a very high dissatisfaction rate, and high cancellation rate for these kinds of 911 call devices.  Most of the dissatisfaction is due to having to keep the unit charged, and that it does not contact a monitoring center with your specific information.  Some people often think these are GPS locator units, but they are not designed for that purpose.

Typical Cost: $10.00 – $20.00 a month in addition to a monthly PERS plan of $30-60 a month.

Things to look for:

  • Battery life – these systems need to be constantly charged
  • Actual need – will the person using the system be alone outside of the home enough to justify the cost?

Cellular Phone As a Substitute for a Medical Alert System

Some families will provide a cellular phone to a senior and suggest they use it in an emergency instead of getting a dedicated medical alert system.

The expectation is that in an emergency, the senior will have the cell phone charged up and on their person, be able to open it up and dial 911, and be able to communicate their name, location and emergency.

The advantage is cost.  However, a cellular phone is a poor substitute for a medical alert system, and provides a false sense of security.

There are 3 basic problems with calling 911 from a cell phone:

  • They Don’t Know WHO You Are.  The caller ID from your cell phone does not identify who you are, just your phone number and possibly the general metropolitan area where your cellular service originates from.   They won’t know your name, home address, medical conditions, or who to call in the event of an emergency.
  • They Don’t Know WHERE You Are.  911 responders won’t immediately know where you are. The closest they will know is the location of the cell tower you happened to have used when placing your call.  If you lose your connection or drop your cell phone before you can give your location, they might not be able to find you.
  • Cell Phones DON’T SEND GPS Coordinates.  Your phone may have GPS on it, but that information is not sent to 911.  U.S. wireless carriers are not required until 2012 to provide emergency responders with the latitude and longitude of a 911 caller.  And once they do, they are only required to be accurate to within 300 meters (984 feet) of the caller.  That’s three football fields away from where you may be.

Typical Cost: Typical cellular phone plans cost around $30.00 – $50.00 a month with a two year contract.  Phone hardware extra.

Things to look for:

  • Are the buttons large and easy to push?
  • Is there a dedicated 911 button?
  • Does 911 in your area route to local dispatchers?  Some 911’s route to county or highway patrol offices
  • Will the senior keep it charged, on their person, and be able to use in an emergency?

Choosing the right medical alert system for you:

We know the choices are overwhelming and confusing, and that families need to balance the needs of the senior, convenience, costs, and reliability.  Speak to your doctor or caregiver, or contact a reputable medical alert system provider to learn more.

Bryan Stapp is the President of American Response Technologies, a leading provider of medical alert systems for seniors nationwide.  Their “Caregiver Tips” blog was chosen as the People’s Choice Best of the Web winner of SeniorHomes.com 2012 Best Senior Living Blogs by an Organization.  Learn more at www.medicalcarealert.com or www.senioralertmedical.com .

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