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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      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| Facts                         for ConsumersPDF VersionPersonal                         Emergency Response Systems
*Produced in cooperation                             with the American Association of Retired Persons*

A Personal Emergency Response System                           (PERS) is an electronic device designed to let you summon                           help in an emergency. If you are a disabled or an older                           person living alone, you may be thinking about buying                           a PERS (also called a Medical Emergency Response System).                         

How a PERS                           Works

 A PERS has three components: a small                           radio *transmitter* (a help button carried or                           worn by the user); a *console* connected to the                           user's telephone; and an *emergency response center*                           that monitors calls. 

When emergency help (medical, fire,                           or police) is needed, the PERS user presses the transmitter's                           help button. It sends a radio signal to the console.                           The console automatically dials one or more pre-selected                           emergency telephone numbers. Most systems can dial out                           even if the phone is in use or off the hook. (This is                           called "seizing the line.") Most PERS are                           programmed to telephone an emergency response center                           where the caller is identified. The center will try                           to determine the nature of the emergency. Center staff                           also may review your medical history and check to see                           who should be notified. 

If the center cannot contact you or                           determine whether an emergency exists, it will alert                           emergency service providers to go to your home. With                           most systems, the center will monitor the situation                           until the crisis is resolved. 

Transmitters

 Transmitters are light-weight, battery-powered                           devices that are activated by pressing one or two buttons.                           They can be worn on a chain around the neck or on a                           wrist band, or they can be carried on a belt or in a                           pocket. Because the transmitter is battery-powered,                           the batteries must be checked periodically to ensure                           they work. Some units have an indicator to help you                           know when to change batteries. 

The Console

 The console acts as an automatic                           dialing machine and sends the emergency alert through                           the phone lines. It works with any private telephone                           line and generally does not require rewiring. If you                           have more than one phone extension, a special jack or                           wiring may be required to enable the console to seize                           the line. 

Emergency Response Center

 There are two types of emergency                           response centers - provider-based and manufacturer-based.                           Provider-based centers usually are located in the user's                           local area and are operated by hospitals or social service                           agencies. Manufacturer-based operations usually have                           one national center. Sometimes, consumers who purchase                           systems can choose between provider-based and manufacturer-based                           centers, but consumers who rent systems from a PERS                           manufacturer usually must use its national center. 

Purchasing,                           Renting, or Leasing a PERS

 A PERS can be purchased, rented,                           or leased. Neither Medicare nor Medicaid, in most states,                           will pay for the purchase of equipment, nor will most                           insurance companies. The few insurance companies that                           do pay require a doctor's recommendation. Some hospitals                           and social service agencies may subsidize fees for low-income                           users. Purchase prices for a PERS normally range from                           $200 to more than $1,500. However, some consumers have                           reported paying $4,000 to $5,000 for a PERS. You also                           will have to pay an installation fee and a monthly monitoring                           charge which may cost from $10 to $30. 

Rentals are available through national                           manufacturers, local distributors, hospitals, and social                           service agencies. Monthly fees may range from $15 to                           $50 and usually include the monitoring service. 

Lease agreements can be long-term                           or lease-to-purchase. If you lease, review the contract                           carefully before signing. Make special note of cancellation                           clauses, which may require you to pay a cancellation                           fee or other charges. 

Before purchasing, renting, or leasing                           a system, check the unit for defects. Ask to see the                           warranty and service contract and get any questions                           resolved. Ask about the repair policy. Find out how                           to arrange for a replacement or repair if a malfunction                           occurs. 

If a PERS salesperson solicits you                           by phone, and you are interested in the device, ask                           for information about prices, system features, and services.                           You can then use the information to comparison shop                           among other PERS providers. If the salesperson is reluctant                           to provide information *except* through an in-home                           visit, you may want to consider doing business with                           another company. In-home sales visits can be high pressure,                           and the salesperson may urge you to buy before you are                           ready to make a decision. 

Before doing business with companies                           selling PERS, you may want to contact your local consumer                           protection agency, state Attorney General's Office,                           and Better Business Bureau (BBB). Ask if any complaints                           have been filed against the companies you are considering.                           You also may want to get recommendations from friends,                           neighbors, or relatives who use emergency response systems.                         

Shopping                           Checklist

 To help you shop for a PERS that                           meets your needs, consider the following suggestions:
- Check out several systems before making a decision.                           
- Find out if you can use the system with other response                             centers. For example, can you use the same system                             if you move? 
- Ask about the pricing, features, and servicing of                             each system and compare costs. 
- Make sure the system is easy to use. 
- Test the system to make sure it works from every                             point in and around your home. Make sure nothing interferes                             with transmissions. 
- Read your purchase, rental, or lease agreement carefully                             before signing. 

Questions                           to Ask the Response Center

 You also may want to ask questions                           about the response center:
- Is the monitoring center available 24 hours a day,                             7 days a week? 
- What is the average response time? 
- What kind of training does the center staff receive?                           
- What procedures does the center use to test systems                             in your home? How often are tests conducted? 

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive   and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information   to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a    complaint or to get free   information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov   or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The   FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other fraud-related complaints   into    Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil   and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
March                           2001 |
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             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