Very frequently we’ll get calls from potential customers who have spoken to a competitor and were promised the world. “If I get a mobile alert system, is it the same as having Onstar?” or “Your competitor told me that their fall detection works like magic. Is yours as good?” While the short answer to the last question is certainly yes, in reality, many older adults or their families focus too much on bells and whistles while ignoring the main purpose and function of a Medical Alert System: Getting you help as quickly as possible in the event of an emergency, regardless of whether you have a phone in your hand or not.

Here are 5 common expectations vs. the reality of how Medical Alert Systems are really supposed to work.

1. It’s just like OnStar!!!!!!!

   Though Though we admit it may seem like a great idea for your Medical Alert system to be able to order your takeout Chinese food, in reality, it serves a much more important purpose.

   If you had a true emergency and needed help, wouldn’t you like to know that there was a single button you could push that is specially designed to send you help and alert your loved ones of the situation?

   Wouldn’t you have greater peace of mind knowing that there’s an operator at the other end of the line with all your emergency information who’s only job is making sure you’re ok?

   Would you want to charge your device multiple times per day because the battery was getting drained while the operator is speaking with AAA about your car issues?

   Well we certainly don’t.

   At ATC Alert our primary focus is getting our customers the help they need as quickly as possible, and ensuring that our equipment is designed with only that in mind.

   2.

   A mobile GPS system is the right choice for everybody.

   Short answer: it’s not.

   Even though every customer would like to believe they’re still out and about all the time, the matter of fact is that a traditional home based system is still the best option for some adults.
   Since most falls happen in the home, we recommend home based systems for those who are older and tend to spend 75% or more of their time in their house. Though mobile systems are great for some, home systems carry the extra benefit of not needing any type of charging. Additionally, since the pendent is only calling the plugged in system and not the monitoring center itself, it is much smaller and lighter, as it doesn’t need the complicated cell equipment inside mobile devices.
   Make sure you’re getting the best system for your personal lifestyle and not just the latest and greatest that isn’t really right for you.

   3.

   Automatic Fall Detection works 100% of the time

   Automated Fall Detection is an amazing feature, and here at ATC Alert we’re constantly working with both our equipment manufacturers as well as some of America’s top programmers to make it more dependable and reliable..

   That being said, it isn’t magic. Though it works very well, Automated Fall Detection doesn’t detect 100% of falls and your button should always be pushed if possible. It can also cause false alarms sometimes, though these rarely result in a dispatch as the monitoring agents will come on the line and ask if you need help. So long as you tell them that it was a test or false alarm, they’ll confirm they hear you loud and clear and then disconnect the call without any further action.

   No matter what any company tells you, this is the simple truth. So while we recommend Fall Detection on our Boogie mobile device, understand that it’s an extra layer of security, not your primary layer of security.

   4.

   I need to sign a long term contract

   Don’t want to commit to a full year of Medical Alert monitoring up front? We get it!

   Your Medical Alert will become a big part of your life, so you shouldn’t just sign a long term contract without understanding what your getting for it and your recourse in the case that you don’t like the system.

   This is an area that we at ATC Alert are proud to be at the forefront of consumer satisfaction. We never lock our customers into long term agreements. In fact, even if a customer signs up for a yearly plan with ATC we’ll still gladly give you a pro-rated refund should you ever decide that you no longer need the protection.

   ATC Alert’s #1 priority is to be our customer’s helper, lifeline and guardian angel all at the same time.

   5.

   Getting a Medical Alert System is the end of my independence.

   Actually, it’s just the opposite!!

   In reality, older adults with Medical Alert Systems gain an advantage over their unprotected peers by being protected.

   The peace of mind that a Medical Alert System brings to both a customer and their family has been proven to increase the overall amount of time that a customer can continue living independently. Knowing that you have an always-there lifeline in the event of an emergency gives you renewed confidence in your ability to be mobile, and can stop conversations about moving across the country to your child’s house in their tracks.

   There’s simply no question that adults with Medical Alert systems are more independent than before, and that’s good news for everybody!

   6.

   All Medical Alert companies are the same,

   With so many companies trying to win your business, it’s easy to think that the only difference between competitors is price.

   In reality, there’s so much more than that. How’s the company’s monitoring center? Do they have the proper certifications? Is their equipment medical looking or will the customer actually want to wear it? How’s the customer service?
   Understanding the answers to these questions will help make you a more informed consumer and will ensure that you wind up with the best product out there for your personal needs.
   To learn more about the types of certifications and credentials you should look for, check out atcalert.com/advantage.