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How A Cellular Medical Alarm With GPS Can Help Save Lives

By Sally Delacruz


The generation that became known as baby boomers vowed during the sixties to never grow old, but that promise has predictably evaporated. Today, this aging demographic group is most concerned about the issues of independent senior living, including the realistic possibility of needing to call for emergency medical attention. Having access to a cellular medical alarm with GPS helps assuage those fears.

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.

The need for a personal system that automatically summons medical personnel prompted the development of the earliest home alert devices. They typically utilized a simple network tied to a remotely operated speaker phone. It could connect directly to a dedicated emergency center via an existing land line. While this was a vast improvement over a regular phone, there were still issues of portability and range.

Not long afterward, companies began to offer communications pendants that could be worn. When the user pushed a button, the pendant also connected to a speaker phone, which would then automatically call. These models are still popular, and now also include special sensor technology that completes calls even when the user is unable to speak. Some providers operate their own call centers, while others connect directly to 911.

Although helpful and life-saving, that technology has been further updated using services made possible via stationary satellites. New electronic alarms are able to connect to the main dispatch center via a cell phone network that includes GPS (Global Positioning System) technology. This capability takes the uncertainty out of country-wide travel, and makes running errands virtually worry-free.

Although there are major privacy concerns about digital technology, this type of personal tracking has proven popular with concerned family members. GPS tracking is already standard on most smart-phones sold today, and the reality is that most users do not take the time to deactivate the service because it can be beneficial. The same cell-tower triangulation methods are used by alarm companies to locate users quickly and accurately.

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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