MedicAlert and Medical Guardian – Partners in Safety
The number of U.S. households headed by people aged 65 and over is expected to grow by 15 million in the next several decades. That means a lot of people will be making decisions about how and where to live out their retirement. Did you know that medical alarm systems like Medical Guardian can help?
When given the choice, most seniors prefer to spend their “golden years” where they feel most comfortable. This is typically in their own homes and communities with which they are most familiar.
This lifestyle choice is “aging in place” and is an important aspect of healthy aging. While most aging adults desire to live independently at home, the onset of medical issues can present obstacles. An effective medical alert system combined with MedicAlert IDs and services can help overcome some of those obstacles.
People ask: Do I need a medical ID like MedicAlert, or a medical alarm system like Medical Guardian? We think there are many cases where it makes sense to have both. They protect you in different ways. Together they can help you get the care you need, when you need it. And that can provide a lot of peace of mind for you and your family.
What is a Medical Alert System?
A medical alert system (also known as Personal Emergency Response System or PERS) is a pendant or watch-style device that has a button to push when help is needed. When the system is activated, a signal is sent to an alarm monitoring center. The situation is assessed and, if necessary, medical personnel are dispatched. Depending on the system, family members or other designated emergency contacts may be alerted as well.
Because seniors aging in place are especially vulnerable to devastating falls and injuries, a medical alert system that provides fast, 24/7 access to help can literally mean the difference between life and death.
Medical alert systems offer a wide range of monitoring services, devices, and add-ons. 24/7 call answering is the basic service; additional options can include activity monitoring, GPS location tracking, medication reminders and automatic fall detection. Traditional medical alert systems combine a small neck-worn button with a base unit connected to either a landline or cellular device. Updated features can include wrist-wearable buttons and smart watches.
Who is Medical Guardian?
Medical Guardian is a top-rated provider of medical alert solutions dedicated to empowering their customers to live a life without limits. They have a UL-certified U.S. monitoring center with bilingual English/Spanish operators.
The company was founded in 2005 by Geoff Gross, who now serves as CEO. After his grandmother experienced several falls and needed help at home, Geoff decided to use his experience in health care tech and IOT to develop a better alert system.
He started Medical Guardian out of his apartment and spent countless hours on the phone with older adults who simply wanted the freedom to continue doing what they loved. Through his passion and dedication, Geoff has grown Medical Guardian into one of the top-rated medical alert device companies in the industry.
For Medical Guardian customers, monitoring equipment is included in the monthly monitoring fee (some other PERS companies charge separately for equipment). Customers can choose between a wrist-worn or neck-worn call button with either a landline or cellular wireless connection.
Medical Guardian’s innovative premium features include automatic fall detection, smart watches with GPS location tracking and integrated medical alert capabilities, and the Family Guardian senior monitoring system that allows loved ones to remotely monitor subscribers’ activity levels. They also offer a variety of safety options for on-the-go as well as in-home.
Partners in Safety: How do Medical Guardian and MedicAlert complement each other?
Medical Guardian and MedicAlert have joined forces to provide the most comprehensive medical safety solutions available. This “partnership in safety” fits MedicAlert’s medical identification and full health profile services together with Medical Guardian’s complementary alert systems. Once Medical Guardian summons first responders to an emergency, they can quickly and easily access the injured person’s full health and medical profile through MedicAlert.
How about a real world example? Here’s how the two systems work together to keep your loved one safe:
Susan is a 78-year-old widow living by herself in the house where she and her husband raised their family. Susan has a Medical Guardian subscription and wears a MedicAlert ID bracelet backed by a full digital health profile and emergency contact notification.
One evening, Susan is using a stepstool to reach a high shelf when she loses her balance and falls, sustaining a bleeding head injury. This activates Medical Guardian’s fall detection technology, which alerts 911. GPS tracking allows EMS to quickly find Susan’s location.
When first responders arrive, they immediately see Susan’s MedicAlert ID bracelet. MedicAlert’s 24/7 emergency response service informs emergency personnel that Susan has atrial fibrillation and currently takes prescription blood thinners. This critical information allows them to treat her appropriately, assess for internal bleeding, and avoid a potentially life-threatening outcome.
An injury like Susan’s can be devastating to the independence and well-being of a loved one who is aging in place. The partnership of Medical Guardian and MedicAlert provides a seamless personal safety net of complementary services to help keep aging family members safer than ever, wherever their golden years find them.
It’s a great example of how two “competing” products, used together, can protect seniors more completely than on their own.
