Background on medical alert services
A medical alert monitoring system is designed to provide safety, security, and peace of mind for certain people at risk and their families and loved ones. Medical alerts were designed for elderly people who are at risk of some medical emergency (heart attack, stroke, falls, etc.), but can be used by anyone who might find a use for such a system.

Medical alert systems work by having the user wear a small, waterproof, transmitter around their neck or wrist; if there is a medical (or other) emergency, the user simply presses a button on the transmitter. The transmitter then sends a signal to the base unit, which is attached to a phone line. The base unit then dials a monitoring center and an operator answers the call; a powerful speaker and sensitive microphone on the base unit allow the conversation to take place without the user having to actually go to the phone. In fact, many base units can handle conversations in most rooms in a home, even if the base unit is only in one main room.

If the user is within range of the base unit and can converse with the operator, the operator will assess the situation and call for help if needed. If the user is not within range of the base unit or otherwise can't converse with the operator (user is having trouble breathing, for example), the operator will call for help automatically. The list of people that the operator calls is designated by the user and family. Designated people can include family, friends, neighbors or anyone else, but in the event of a real medical emergency, or when in doubt, the operator will always call emergency medical personnel and/or the police. Arrangements can be made to have a lockbox (a secure box attached to the front door with a combination that holds a key to the home) installed at the user's home so that emergency personnel, family and friends can readily access your home when necessary.

Important features and functions of medical alert monitoring services
Medical alert monitoring services are provided nationwide by companies that are set up similar to home alarm systems. These companies provide the medical alert equipment 

in the home and have the equipment programmed to call their monitoring center for assistance. Medical alert monitoring companies typically charge a monthly subscription fee for the equipment and monitoring services.

In addition to standard medical alert monitoring, some companies offer related services such as 'fall monitoring' and 'call check-in' for additional monthly fees. Fall monitoring involves wearing a special transmitter that detects falls, abnormal body movements, and/or extended periods of inactivity. These special transmitters use microcomputers

and accelerometers to distinguish between falls and normal movement, even if that movement involves shocks such as dropping into a chair or descending stairs. When a fall or an abnormal period of inactivity suggests that an emergency condition exists, the system will automatically summon assistance without end-user intervention. These transmitters also have a button where the user can call for help manually.

Call check-in is a service where live operators from the monitoring center will attempt to call the end-user via telephone once or twice per day. If the operator is unable to contact the user over a given period of time, the operator will contact family, friends, or other caregivers on a pre-designated list so that they can take appropriate action.

Although they perform essentially the same function, not all medical alert monitoring centers are the same. Many use their own employees to staff their monitoring center, but some outsource to other call centers. Some medical alert monitoring centers also monitor traditional home burglar alarms. Finally, some medical alert monitoring centers use only live operators to answer calls, while others will have some calls routed to voice mail.

Regardless of which medical alert service company you choose, there are a few features of the equipment that you will want to consider. First of all, you'll want to make sure that the transmitter and base unit are easy to understand and operate. Look for large, color-coded and easy to read buttons plus illumination that make it easy to see in lower light levels. If the user is blind, make sure that the base unit buttons have Braille lettering. LED indicators for power (power on, low battery) and alarm status (shows if the alarm has been activated or not) are also helpful. Some equipment has remote telephone answering capabilities, which allows you to answer and disconnect regular phone calls using your transmitter. Finally, and very importantly, make sure that the medical alert system has backup power so that it will operate in event of a power outage.