More on home monitoring systems

In response to our blog post on aging in place resources a few months ago, we’ve received a steady stream of requests for ratings of home monitoring systems. These are electronic devices that provide a way for an elderly person to summon help if there is an emergency. There are two basic types:

Pendants and wrist bands. A personal emergency-response system is one. Made famous by the “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” TV ads, these battery-operated systems require the person to wear a pendant around the neck or a device on the wrist. In an emergency, he or she pushes a button to activate it and then speaks into a microphone. The device sends a signal to a call center, which will contact local emergency services or a caregiver. Cost is about $30 a month. Two national providers of such devices are Philips Lifeline and Advanced Alert. The downside to this low-cost security is that if there is a crisis, the wearer needs to be conscious and able to push the call button.

Motion monitors. Another type of service involves monitoring the elderly person’s environment for motion. Infrared motion sensors placed around the home determine if there is a lack of movement for a certain period of time. They can detect, for example, if your parent enters the bathroom and doesn’t leave. About six companies make these detectors. QuietCare’s service uses an average of five to seven sensors, and it costs $90 to $100 a month. One advantage of these systems is that they’re unobtrusive; they don’t need to be worn and activated if an emergency occurs. A drawback is that they can trigger false alerts.

Consumer Reports has looked into these services in a preliminary way and found that testing them presents some logistical challenges. The service component—the response from the monitoring company to a signal—likely will vary widely based on location. Compliance with the instructions—for example, will the elderly person wear the pendant at all times?—also is a factor. We will continue to study this issue to see if we might be able to provide some guidance down the road.

For those of you who are considering these services now, perhaps the best advice we can offer at this time is to network with other caregivers and share experiences. Some useful Web sites include the National Family Caregivers Association, American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, Center for Aging Services Technologies, Children of Aging Parents, Agingcare.com, and your local Area Agency on Aging (to find one nearly, click here). Some of these sites include forums where you can solicit advice from other users.

You can also share information by posting your comments here.

Comments

[melinda Rezman]

I need information/feedback on using a 'security monitoring system' with my new home security
system.

[Laura Mitchell]

GrandCare Systems is another service providing wellness assessment using various wireless sensors and cognitive assists. GrandCare uses a suite of sensors (motion, temperature, door, blood pressure, weight, bed, power, caller-id, etc.) to ensure a loved one is doing well at home. In addition, GrandCare provides a communication feature that allows caregivers and family to send pictures, messages, calendar appointments, medication reminders and other cognitive assists to a dedicated channel on the loved one's television screen. Packages start at $1295.00 and $12.95/month. Leasing available

[Philip Gaynor]

I am interested in feedback regardng home monitoring systems for the elderly. My mother is 91 and lives alone. From what I have been told, there are significant drawbacks with each of the systems currently available. I would very much appreciate any comments or recommendations. Thank you.

[Laura Mitchell]

Hi Philip,
I'm not sure what types of drawbacks you are referring to. These systems are just one piece of the puzzle. Install the system, but you must be willing to be a part of it (set up appropriate rules, and actively respond to alerts). Allowing sensors to be placed will give you "peace of mind" knowing that she is moving around normally and healthy. Tele-wellness sensors (blood pressure, weight, glucose) can give you more insight on her overall health. You can even print out the graphs from these type of sensors and bring along to doctor appointments. Activity sensors (door, motion, temperature, etc.) can give you a basic idea of what's happening. Is she eating? Is she accessing medications? How much is she sleeping?

The advantages to this technology outweighs any disadvantages. And the price is right when you compare to any other alternative (in-home care or long term care facilities)

[Russ]

I am seeking a comparison by consumer report as to which home security system ranks highest by consumers.
The blog is interesting but I am looking for a side by side comparison

[Cyriac Mathew]

Hi Philip.
This is just to inform you that there are quite a few good medical alert systems available in the market. A friend of mine recently purchased one for his aging mother. It is easy to use and is in the form of a necklace with a button worn round the neck. She just needs to press it in emergencies and immediate help would arrive from the monitoring company. The medical alert system is called “Alarmcare”. Please visit. www.myalarmcare.com

[Heidi Seidel]

Hi, the age range of people LIVING ALONE is much greater than 85 to 95 years old, but we all may need help in an emergency. The assurance that help can be summoned, not just from across a room, but from the basement and the yard is important for the more mobil
people. Not everybody has the resources to pay a monthly fee for this service for the next 30 years, especially with today's advancement in electronics lots of people could deal with something like ClearVoice puts out or similar if Consumer Reports could give guidance on the various models and brands available.

[Shannon Sarubin]

I have been looking into these monitoring systems for a family member. I have found that the out of pocket costs and monthly fees have a wide range from company to company. After reading this article I called Advanced Alert, their staff was very friendly and eager to answer all of my questions. Their prices were very reasonable compared to some of the other companies I called. I think Advanced Alert will be my choice.

[RedBear]

In light of the huge increase in burgleries and the availability of affordabe video surveillance systems, I'd like to see reviews of home video survaillance systems. I have to friends that were both recently burgalurized. One had a large dog that was beaten almost to death. I also am a dog owner and thought my large dog would be some protection. Now I am not so sure.

[M.Bell]

Comments are intriguing, but need more in-depth information from people who have had experience with different systems by name. I'm already turned off by Lifeline because they refused to send prices in the mail with their literature and were extremely aggressive on the phone.
What is "Clear Voice?"
The obvious protection for both our elderly and our kids is a GPS style wristwatch that works quickly and is affordable.
C'mon inventors - we need this a lot more than another computer game!

[Mary Veldman]

I've been trying to find accurate non-biased information on a system for my 87 year old mother, and none of the sites you've mentioned in the intro are valuable. I'd like to have some kind of comparison of these systems before my mother falls again.

[Heather]

I understand that it would be logistically difficult for Consumer Reports to test these types of systems. However it would be greatly helpful to your readers if you could compile a listing of all the available products/services with a chart comparing their prices & options. This could at least be a starting point for your readers even if it could not rate the products & services.

[WCAT]

M.Bell wrote about using a GPS device but these won't work inside a home since you need clear GPS signals to determine your location. Some combination of a small emergency only cell phone with in-house locator is needed. It should fit on your wrist, be waterproof/shockproof, and capable of monitoring heart rate.

Hunters have a solution that might be applicable for outside use. See the following marketing info for the SPOT. If you want more info you can get it at Bass Pro. Hope this helps.

"With SPOT, you can send a message to friends and family to check in or ask for help using GPS accuracy -- or dispatch emergency responders to your exact location with the touch of a button. Optionally, SPOT can track your waypoints. And since it's satellite-based, SPOT works around the world, even where cell phones don't. About 7 ounces, SPOT is small, simple, and light, making it easy to have peace of mind.
Ask for help: Request help from friends and family at your exact location.
Check in: Let contacts know where you are and that you're okay.
Track progress: Send and save your location and allow contacts to track your progress using Google Maps™.
Alert 9-1-1: Dispatch emergency responders to your exact location.
Service subscription required; unlimited help, 911, and check-in service only $99.99 annually."

[newman@doctorsnewman.org]

hi cuz. you might want to look at the comments on this. i'm going to post to our own blog, the new old age, run by a friend, and ask times readers in new york area for their experiences, since LOCAL SERVICE VARIES and it's like throwing a dart at the board trying to figure out which lifealert service is best. love you, and see you soon, barb.

[Bryan]

My company did extensive research on the largest providers of medical alert systems as part of a study. We looked at Philips, ADT, Connect America, Life Alert and a few others. All are reliable. We found the best value, easiest design, and responsiveness is from the Connect America service which can be found at http://www.medicalhomealert.com.

[Karol]

My father used a Philips LifeLine device that was hooked up to a local hospital. They tested it regularly by calling the house. We were unsure if he should wear it while taking a shower so he would leave it on the floor outside the shower. We never did clear up this question (whether the device was waterproof or not) However, he did fall and break his pelvis one day. He was able to push the button and the ambulance was called by the LifeLine people. He was helped quickly and there is no telling how long he would have laid on the floor without the aid of this device. The only problem was that the ambulance people had no way to enter his house without a key. Luckily, a neighbor heard the commotion and ran over with a key to his house. I guess I would say it worked well in this case and was worth the subscription. When he died, it was easy enough to cancel this device.

[Gene S]

I am puzzled why a cellphone with a pre-programmed one-key emergency number is not considered as an alternative. Especially as an additional phone on an elderly person's child's existing service, where the cost should be as little as $10 per month plus tax, or even less with some plans if the existing subscriber has 4 or 5 phones already. In addition to the flexibility such a phone offers in terms of communication, it is likely to have as good connectivity as the pendant services.

[Lee]

A cellphone with a pre-programmed number is inferior to the monitoring systems discussed in this forum.

Cell phones must be recharged while (at least some of) the medical alert pendants (or buttons) have a five-year battery life. For a cell phone to be useful the user has to be able to speak. Someone having a seizure, stroke, or heart attack may not be able to speak properly--but they can likely push a button on the alert device.

The monitoring centers operated by the medical alert companies have health profiles on subscribers along with information as to whom should be contacted if the subscriber pushes the button. If the subscriber pushes the button, the monitoring center will send help (ambulance) even if there is no voice response by the subscriber. Plus, most of the alert buttons are water resistant and can be worn in the shower. Cell phones are not usually water resistant.

[Jane]

Has anyone tried a product called "Call-for-Help Emergency Phone Response"?

It cost $100-$200, but has NO monthly charge. It comes with a preprogrammed phone, and you can also get a pendant to where. It supposedly works inside or outside up to about 140 feet from the base unit.

I hate monthly charges, so I am considering one of these. Please let me know if you have any experience with one of these.
Thank you

[Ingrid G]

As some previous posters have asked, I am also wondering about a home security system with alarm monitoring. Does anyone have any input as to whether hard wired systems are preferable to wireless sytems or vice versa? I have listened to proponents (sales people) for each.

I currently do not have a land line turned on at my house so my understand is that I would incur an additional expense to turn on phone service if I install a hard wired system for my alarm monitoring. It seems to me that the wireless systems are preferable because they are less difficult to install and there are no phone wires for a burglar to cut, thereby disarming or at least slowing down the system. But some people have told me that hard wired systems are better.

Anyone have any objective input out there?

[Peter Tesh]

All,

There's only one of these Companies recommended by Good Housekeeping and that's Connect America.... This is the company we used for my Father in law who keeps falling and has COPD. Anyway, for what it's worth, the address to their main site is http://www.ConnectAmerica.com... I believe their other websites are http://www.MedicalAlarm.com and http://www.MedicalAlert.com. The system and shipping was free (ask for a free extra button... we got one :) and the monthly free is only $29.95 per Month.

Cheers,
Pete

[chris and Heidi Willsher]

Anyone have any suggestions on a home video security system/door alarms with regards to kids and pool?

[Paul Malone]

We bought the LifeLink medical alert and it is the answer to our prayers. We don't have any more restless nights wondering if Mom is ok. And it's reasonably priced compared to the monthly monitoring fees. Life Alert wanted $50 per month plus fees out the wazoo for startup and when we no longer needed it.

[Jackie Howe]

SaveOnMyAlarm.com is an exceptional company for home security monitoring with great pricing. There are monitoring my home at $5.95 per month. They are very fast when they respond to alarms, which leaves me feeling secure and safe. I was impressed with their customer care as well. After shopping around for a while, I am beyond pleased with my choice.

[bkind]

It wouldn't hurt the try out this medical alert http://www.medicalalarm-medicalalert.com