What is a Personal Emergency Response System? Do I need one?

Dear all,

A Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) is a device you can wear either around your neck as a pendant or on your wrist like a large watch. Simply put, the purpose of the PERS is to rapidly alert emergency responders to come and help you if you fall and can't get up or if you are in danger.

The main reason people buy them is because they want the peace of mind that someone will come to help them if they are alone and need assistance. Often, the child of an older adult is worried about their parent. They want to know that their parent will be able to get the help they need in an emergency.

A PERS is very easy to use once it is set up with the monitoring service either online or over the phone. If you need help, you push the one large button on it, and the device calls the emergency monitoring company and the agent asks you what you need. If you can't talk, the device calls 911 and emergency responders come to your house to help you.

A person considering obtaining a PERS may be intimidated by the costs, the complexity of setting one up or the array of choices. "PC Magazine" published a comprehensive article which reviewed PERSs in their Nov. 14, 2018 edition. The Editor's Choices for in-home devices were: Bay Alarm Medical In-Home Medical Alert, 1-844-280-3621; Great Call Lively Mobile, 1-877-567-0674; and Mobile Help Classic, 1-800-931-7956. The devices themselves cost between approximately $20-40 and the monthly monitoring fees generally range between $25-45 per month.

I have given you a very brief overview of PERSs in this Note from Linda. Depending on what device you choose and exactly what options you want will determine your exact costs. My mother had a PERS which I purchased at Walmart, a Great Call Lively Mobile, and it came in very handy when she fell and could not get up. The fire department came immediately and assisted her.

I am very happy to individually go over the details of various PERS systems and assist you in completing home, online or phone installation if you decide to purchase one. Please call me to make an appointment, Linda Howard Seeley-Swan Resource Specialist with Missoula Aging Services, at the Seeley-Swan Resource Center in Seeley Lake, 406-541-7688.

The very best of health to you,

Linda