Our Emergency Response System is a simple process designed to get help to you as soon as possible.  It starts with the press of a button.  Perhaps you have fallen, maybe you are experiencing chest pain or possibly you just need a reassuring voice.  Whatever the reason, simply press your Personal Help Button to start the procedure.  The button sends a radio signal to your base unit, which triggers a call to the monitoring center. 

Within seconds, a professionally trained representative from our monitoring center will contact you over the base unit, which now functions as a speaker phone.  The operator will identify themselves and ask if you need help.  In addition, the operator has immediate access to your database which contains household information (such as: your address, phone numbers, pet information, directions to your home) vital statistics (such as: basic medical history, location of your medications, important health care documents) and important phone numbers (such as: local police, fire and ambulance services, your doctor, your hospital, health care providers, family members and other emergency contacts).     

Simply tell the operator your problem.  Perhaps you have fallen and would like your next door neighbor contacted to come give you a hand up, maybe you are experiencing shortness of breath and would like the ambulance called to transport you to the hospital or simply you would like the reassurance of another voice.  Should you be unable to respond, the monitoring center will dispatch local help immediately.  Whatever your need, it will be addressed promptly and professionally. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. What is a Personal Emergency Response System?
A Personal Emergency Response System (or PERS) is a marriage of modern communication and computer technology with specially trained response personnel.  Your home is monitored electronically by a button worn on the wrist or around the neck.  When the button is pressed, it sends a radio signal to a base unit which sends an emergency signal through your phone line to the monitoring center.  There, a trained professional receives the call and responds via the base unit which functions as a speaker phone.  If you cannot respond or respond by asking for help, local help is dispatched immediately. 

Q.  Why would I want a Personal Emergency Response System?
Think of it as insurance.  You may never need it, but if you do you’ll be glad you have it.  It is reassuring to know that if you have a sudden illness or injury, help will be on the way in a matter of minutes, even if you cannot move or speak.  Even if you have a neighbor or family members or a visiting nurse checking in, you are still left unprotected when they are not there.  A fall could leave you alone and without help for many hours.  A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that people found within one hour of a fall are five times more likely to survive than those who remain helpless. 

Q.  How will a Personal Emergency Response System affect my independence?
If anything, a PERS will enable you to preserve your independence by giving you the ability to live in your own home even as you age and acquire health problems.  We can help you do that safely.  You and your loved ones will be able to rest easy knowing that whenever you need help, we will be there.  You are able to press your button whenever you need help, and you can tell us who you would like us to call.  You are in complete control. 

Q.  How do I hook it up?
You will not need to.  Within 24-48 hours of placing your order, one of our professionally trained service representatives will deliver the system to your home, hook it up, test it and show you how to use it.  They will also collect all the personal and medical data for the monitoring center.  This information can be changed or updated at any time.

Q.  Is a Personal Emergency Response System complicated to use?
Not at all.  Our service representative will show you how to use your system and answer any questions you may have.  All you have to do is press the help button that you wear on your wrist or around your neck.  Your base unit dials the monitoring center and within seconds a trained professional is speaking to you over the unit. 

Q.  Do I have to be in the same room as the communicator for it to work?
No.  You can be in a different room, on a different floor or in many cases even outside in your yard.  Our service representative will test the unit both indoors and outdoors to show you exactly how far your coverage extends.  Your button is completely waterproof so you should keep it on at all times, even in the shower or bath.

Q.  What happens if I push my button by mistake?
It is not a problem.  The first thing the monitoring center does is to contact you over the speaker in your base unit.  Simply tell them it was an accident.  Buttons are always being pushed accidentally by our clients - or by pets or grandchildren!  The operator will just check-in with you and then if all is well, sign off.  All the signals are sent via an 800 number, so there is never any charge.

Q.  If the ambulance is dispatched and my home is locked, how will they get in to help me?
You have several options.  You can give one of your responders a key and we can arrange to have them meet the emergency services at your door.  Alternatively, you can disclose the location of a hidden key to us and our monitoring center can let the emergency services know where this is when they arrive.  We also offer lockboxes for a small additional monthly fee.  A lockbox is a heavy-duty strongbox that attaches to your doorknob.  A four-digit combination lock opens a compartment that houses a spare key.  We can provide the combination code to the emergency services when they arrive.  Please see our Products page for more information.

Q.  What is a responder?
A responder is typically a relative, friend or neighbor who lives within 15 minutes of you, is willing to help you if needed and could get to you in the event of an emergency.  For example, if you fell in your kitchen and were unharmed, but needed help getting back up, you could push your button and ask the response center to send your next door neighbor over to give you a hand.

Q: I have DSL Internet, will that pose any problems for the service?
As long as you have the proper filters installed (contact your Internet Service Provider regarding any questions on DSL filters and their installation), you should have no problems with your emergency response system.

Q.  Is it expensive?
The service is very affordable.  Our standard rate is a one-time installation fee of $39 and then a monthly fee of $39.  We are affiliated with many hospitals and social services programs throughout the New England region which may help you qualify for special pricing, so be sure to contact our office for more information.  The monthly fee will not go up throughout the time that you have the service.  We do not charge for repairs or any maintenance that the unit may require.  There is no limit to the number of times you may press your button.  We do ask that you keep the service for at least three months.  If for any reason after the first three months you wish to discontinue service, we will send out one of our service technicians to pick up the unit.