Using A Cellular Medical Alarm With GPS Can Save Lives

By Sally Delacruz


The generation that vowed it would never grow old has broken that promise. As baby-boomers become elderly, living independently for as long as possible has become increasingly important. This presents a set of unique challenges for senior citizens, including the realistic possibility of suffering a medical emergency. Wearing a cellular medical alarm with GPS reduces those concerns.

Each year, roughly one third of all citizens over 65 will fall. Some try to hide these incidents from physicians and family members in order to retain personal independence as long as possible. Unfortunately, falls are the leading cause of serious injury to seniors, and may result in permanent disabilities or long hospital stays. If an incident occurs when home alone, badly needed help may arrive late or not at all.

Demand for a personal, easy-to-use alarm system that automatically summons an ambulance originally prompted the earliest development of these devices. Pioneering models used a simple network featuring a remotely activated speaker phone. When active, it could connect directly via a hands-free land line to an emergency dispatch center. This was a great improvement, but still had limited range and portability issues.

Not long afterward, communications pendants were added to the product lineup. These small electronic links could connect directly to a speakerphone by push-button, not by shouting. Although limited to use in the home, they are still popular and cost-effective. Newer models make it possible to call for help even when the victim cannot speak. Some companies offer monitoring, while others call 911 directly.

While that technology is quite helpful, there have been recent updates adding services unavailable just a few years ago. The same principles that made these alarms so popular for home use are now able to summon help no matter where the wearer goes. The new devices link personal, portable units to a cell phone network having GPS location capabilities.

Today there are valid concerns about digital privacy, but this is one form of tracking that has been warmly welcomed by many families. Any smart-phone today already automatically uses the Global Positioning System to locate users, and most users do not bother to deactivate it. Stationary satellites use the information from cell towers to triangulate the physical location of a user based on the last call.

If an older person becomes ill, pushing the call button automatically determines their whereabouts, while displaying pertinent personal information. The service allows direct voice communication, and works anywhere there is cell coverage, which today is nearly everywhere. The units are not bulky, but are small enough to be worn under clothing, are easy to read, and waterproof.

When activated, some service care centers are also able to provide important medical information for first responders before they arrive. When a senior in distress does not actually know his or her location, help can still be on the way within minutes. Like cell phones, these devices must be recharged periodically, and have a similar life expectancy, but the additional security advantages they offer are worth that minor inconvenience.




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