Aging in place technology has come a long way over the last 20 years. Seniors living at home alone,and facing stability challenges now have a vast array of Help options. I have come across a very good link for those in need for themselves or for a Loved one, medstartech.com

Landline PERS are not useful for a generation of active and mobile seniors. Here's a link to an interesting mobile PERS technology: http://www.medicalintelligence.ca/en/products/index.html

Hopefully end-user service providers will adopt this technology in the near future.

Within 10 years, PERS will integrate with cell phones. Until then, older people (many of whom don't leave the house alone) wont bother with cell phones because they are too small and fiddly, they need to be recharged and they aren't marketed at anyone over 50. So PERS will develop into smart telecare systems that will call for help without anyone pressing the button, because sensors will have detected a problem and will be telling the monitoring centre exactly what's needed. The response will therefore be a plumber for the leak and flood, the police for a break-in, and a special lifting service for someone who's had a fall. Come across to the UK and see how this is already working in the homes of over 100,000 older vulnerable people. The secret is assessment - making sure that people get the system that they need, and ensuring that there is a local or regional service provider who can organise the service, including the response, as efficiently as possible.
The cell phone companies claim that the UK market is saturated, and that this means that everyone already has a cell phone. Fewer than 10% of people aged over 85 has a cell phone, but they all have a landline and can therefore make use of PERS.

I was reading this blog about PERS vs cell phone. Interesting. I think one needs to step back a minute and realize that any active senior that is out and about often would probably benefit in many ways with a cell phone. However, there are many drawbacks to cellphones. They need to be charged every few days. When they are in the charger - they are not on the person. They are not water-proof - so can't be taken into the shower. They are considerably bigger than your typical PERS pendant. And sometimes, they don't work well in buildings.

Your typical PERS is really for someone who is a little more 'home bound' and living alone - and at risk. When a senior has a fall or other issue - getting help quickly is the name of the game. Clearly range is important - but more important then 'raw range' from the pendant is the range that one can be away from the base station and communicate the nature of the call. If one pushed the button in the bathroom - but can't yell loud enough to be heard by the base station in the kitchen - much time is wasted until someone may eventually come. And maybe its the police that comes - and not the needed ambulance.

LogicMark makes a series of two-way voice pendant PERS systems which allow the senior to speak directly through the pendant to 911, a friend, neighbor or central station - guaranteeing that the nature of the call is clearly and quickly communicated - and that the right actions are taken. One can be in a 5,000 sq ft house and push the button outside in the yard - and still communicate to 911, the friend, neighbor or central station. We believe this will be the trend of the future. Mark.

Seems like the real solution to this would be combining the PERS technology with GPS. I have folks that have asked me about the ability to use that type of technology. One in particular lives in a rural area, and gets around town as well as out to his farm periodically. A PERS device will not work for that.

He had heard of a GPS type PERS device, and gave me information. Unfortunately, either he mis-understood or the information that they gave him was mis-leading as I cannot find such a device. If it is out there, let us know!

Ron Elick
www.accessadvitum.com

The cell phone with GPS, Dial Tone, Speed Dial, incoming calling, notifications and time tracking would be much more valuable in most cases. The only problem is that many folks forget to take the cell phone with them or carry it with them at all times. The battery life is ususlly much less than a PERS. My mother losses the PERS device in her purse and would do the same with a cell phone. The watch is a constant she has worn her whole life. She seldom forgets it.

I agree that the cell phone is the best option. Just remember that everyone does not fit into one option.

Is cell a better option for personal emergency assistance? No and yes. Most people who benefit from using a personal emergency response product at home tend to be older seniors at risk or perhaps younger people with mobility problems who if they fall, need immediate assistance. Both types of users tend to spend most of their days in and around the home and more often than not, alone. PERS company's (I used to work for one) tend to not encourage a higher risk user to venture to far from the house as they may be difficult to find in the event of an emergency (out in a field, forest, down the road etc). The important consideration is the performance of the RF pendant to communicate with the base station in the home and the quality of the call center to manage and dispatch emergency resources. When a PERS system is activated, the call goes to one number, an emergency call center operator who manages the call and dispatches resources if required. Philips Lifeline is the market leader in both technology and call center services.

Cell phones are great for those who are more mobile in and around the community and less medically at risk. Having the ability to track the signal via GPS is paramount as a dazed and confused individual will have difficulty explaining their location. Also, the user of the cell phone should pre-program the emergency phone number where the call will be answered, (like a professional monitoring company) otherwise they will be calling friend's and family who may not be available to take the call and who may not know what to do in the event of an emergency.

Rob Howlett
www.sagebathrooms.com