When and elderly person lives alone, a medical alarm can be a useful source of peace of mind for the user and also their family. In the event of an accident, a fall, illness or other emergency, an elderly person can use a button located on a pendant around their neck to call for help.

Most medical alarms have easy-to-install base units that can be located on a bedside table and connect to the phone line. When an emergency happens, the elderly person can press the button on the pendant from anywhere in the house and a wireless signal activates the alarm base unit. The base unit automatically dials the medical alarm company alerting them of the emergency. The alarm activation also sends along an identification code that verifies the person and provides their address in the event emergency services must be called.

A two-way speaker on the base unit operates like a speakerphone that can be heard throughout the house. This allows the representative from the alarm company to make contact and determine the problem. The high performance characteristics of the speakerphone allow the alarm representative to hear an injured person from almost any room in the house. Depending on their findings, the alarm company alerts family, police, fire or ambulance and remains on the line until help arrives.

Features to consider when shopping for a medical alarm include:
   · The alarm base unit should have a battery backup in the event of a power failure.
   · A prominent emergency button on the base unit that allows activation in case the remote pendant is non -functional.
   · A test button ton the pendant to easily verify that the unit is operating.
   · A flashing light located on the exterior of the residence that is activated simultaneously with the alarm to help direct emergency personnel to the correct house as well as alert a passerby to trouble in the event that telephone service is not working.
  · A check-in service, whereby the alarm company calls on a daily basis. This both tests the unit and provides a daily check. In the event no response is heard, the alarm company notifies family or emergency services