A Comparison of PERS/MPERS Devices
(Just a note that this article was originally published in December of 2011.)
A Personal Emergency Response System (or PERS) is a service generally provided by a private company, that helps to monitor its subscribers for falls, medical problems or other emergencies by use of a 3 part system. These 3 parts consist of a). a pendant, charm, necklace, belt or watch b). a base station and c). a call center/monitoring station.
When a person needs help, they simply press their “Help” button and are connected via 2-way voice to an operator at the call center. (The call center has a file on each subscriber that lists their diagnoses, medications, allergies, and emergency contact information.) The call center will verify that there is an emergency and will notify the appropriate emergency response system. Family members will also be notified.
You can purchase, rent, or lease a PERS. Keep in mind that Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance companies typically don’t pay for the equipment, and the few that pay require a doctor’s recommendation but the security and peace of mind that these systems bring with them is worth their cost.
PERS systems are good for elders while they are in their homes within range of the base station (see below for range). They won’t do any good for an elder who falls at the grocery store.
The MPERS (Mobile Personal Emergency Response System) takes this one step further and allows the subscriber to be away from the base station. Unlike the PERS which often required that the subscriber be within 300 feet or less of the base station, the MPERS utilizes GPS and/or cellular technology that allows seniors to be on the go and still be safely monitored.
The Alzheimer’s Association now offers Comfort Zone, especially for patients with dementia, but which would still be great for all elders with disconcerting diagnoses. It utilizes GPS technology and has computer monitoring capabilities for families. This seems a little intrusive to the elder but let me share a story with you about a lady who lived in my area. This lady had Alzheimer’s and took a car out for a drive one fall day. Somehow, she drove right into a cornfield, got the car stuck and so began trying to find her way out on foot. She couldn’t find her way out and no one was able to locate her once they knew she went missing. Unfortunately, she succumbed to the elements. If she had been wearing a GPS locator, chances are good that she would have been found in time. This is, of course, one of the more expensive options.
The Alzheimer’s association also offers Medic Alert + Safe Return(TM) which is simply a medic alert bracelet that includes an emergency response number with 24 hour staff monitoring which is just $25.00 per year after an initial set up fee of $24.95.
Some other PERS that are available include:
Philips Lifeline (updated 5/4/2014)
* the monthly fee for STANDARD service is $29.95
* the auto alert option( which is fall detection service) is an additional $13.00 per month
* $59.95 set up fee when a representative visits the home to do the set-up
* has long-range capabilities
* has medication reminder program (extra charge)
*a wireless solution is available for those instances where there is no land line
ADT
* 35.00 monthly
* $99.00 set up fee
* 300 foot distance
* 1 year committment
Walgreen’s Ready Response (owned by American Medical Alert Company)
* seemingly good value
* $35 set up fee
* $35 monthly
* 250 foot range
Life Station
* $27-$37/monthly
* No set up fee
* 400 foot range
* (not available in Canada)
Life Alert (owner of the original “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” ad)
* had the worst reviews
* $50.00/month
* $200.00 up front costs
* 150 foot range
* 3 year contract
* They won’t provide any info without receiving your phone number/address
Life Link
* 0 monthly cost
* $289 upfront cost
* 50-200 foot range
Rescue Alert
* $29.00/month
* no upfront costs
* 3-12 month committment
* has long-range capabilities (600-1000 feet)
VRI (Valued Relationships, Inc.)
* $15-33/month
* 0 – $175 upfront costs
* 250 – 600 foot range
ASSA
* $25-$30/month
* no upfront costs
* 3-12 month committment
Bay Alarm Medical
* No upfront costs
* 300-500 foot
* $34.95 monthly
* offers medication reminder system for additional charge
* available in Canada
Healthsense
* slightly different system that uses WiFi technology
* has automatic fall detection
* calls residents with reminders for medications, etc.
Some questions to ask when researching these systems:
* How long is your response time?
* Does your staff receive any special training? What kind of training DO they receive?
* Are there batteries and how long is the average battery life?
* Is there a replacement charge for batteries?
* Is the equipment rented or purchased?
* Is there a replacement charge for broken equipment?
* What happens if I move? Do you have centers in other states?
* What are the initial costs and which costs are recurring?
* Is there a fixed term contract? Can I cancel at any time or is there a cancellation fee?
*Is the company utilizing FDA certified equipment? (This is important.)
* Is the pendant, watch, etc., waterproof?
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Hello Shelley,
I came to know you through the Caregiving’s Progressive Blog Party. This is a great post. I appreciate the fact that you included recommended questions to help senior caregivers purchase the right equipment. I wasn’t aware of the response system that uses GPS technology. I am happy that I came over.
We have to do all that we can to help our seniors.
Great post!
Have a good day!
Angela
http://www.careaboutyou10.com
The power of caring.
I greatly appreciate all the info I’ve read here. I will spread the word about your blog to other people. Cheers.
my website is about family vacation spots.
Hello,
I happen to come across your website, It has a lot of great information. I would also like to let everyone know as of late fall 2012 Verizon came out with their own MPER’S. The device can be sent out to our clients nationwide. They are 100% water resistant, The CDC states most falls occur in the bathroom/shower. see below for some more details.
*Water-resistant
*Mobile Personal Emergency Response (NO LIMIT ON RANGE)
*INCLUDES GPS locator
*$19.99 for the device
*$30per month (W/2yr agreement)
*Includes 60 minutes of personal calling
*Authorized Caregiver portal, Includes: GPS location and list of Medications/Medical conditions.
*** MUCH MUCH MORE!!!!! Contact me for more details.
Dana.Whipple@cellularsales.com or (727) 320-7497
I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
It’s interesting that Verizon would get involved with PERS but not surprising, I guess.
I like the GPS location service.
~ Shelley
I agree. Verizon already has a well established nationwide network, which utilizes the current cellular frequencies as well as the national emergency frequency.
With more elderly people being active it makes since to have a device that can work on the go, not limited to a docking station.
I started to get involved with working alongside ALF’s, Nursing homes and Adult day care centers. It’s a great option to have for these qualified customer’s and facilities.
Your story about the lady who went missing in the cornfield with Alzheimer’s is scary. I will take a closer look at the Comfort Zone product. I have quite a bit of knowledge on regular home medical alert systems. I think this classic product still has its place because it’s so simple to use and the batteries on the pendant last a mighty long time. But supplementing it with a good mobile medical alert is a good way to go. Especially if our parents move around.
Even since this post, there have been many advances made. One of the biggest obstacles is STILL to get out loved ones to actually wear the device. My aunt recently fell and broke her hip while on her back deck. Was she wearing her PERS pendant? Nooo. Had it not been for a neighbor who heard her calling, she could have been out there for a very long time.
We know that the marketplace we serve has become very familiar with the concept of personal emergency response systems. However, the rapidly changing face of technology is making traditional ways of delivering this valuable service more challenging. Many seniors today are choosing to eliminate their land line. This makes a traditional PERS device inoperable in their home. Connect America is able to bring cellular/GPS based PERS to you and your clients TODAY!! We offer both a mobile/GPS option and an in home Cellular option, so you can serve an even wider population.
Healthcare continues to change – Regulation, reimbursement, and requirements become more complex seemingly every day. We realize that It is important that your organization has partners that understand your mission and that can provide you with the tools to better serve your participants. Medical Alert by Connect America brought professionals with many years’ experience in the PERS industry together to create a customer focused organization. We are large enough, recently surpassing a milestone of 230,000 subscribers, to give you and your participants confidence and peace of mind, and small enough to give you and your participants the the personal attention you want and need by never losing sight of our mission to be the number one PERS customer service company!
We are very aggressive concerning pricing, service, technology and marketing support to ensure a successful relationship with our partner and providers. We blend our services with our partners to assist those that desire to remain at home with dignity and peace of mind in the communities they service.
We offer a variety of Partner Programs. Please feel free to call me anytime at 484-571-2040 if I can be of any assistance.
Thanks for the update!