In 1900 the percentage of people 65 or older in the United States was 4 percent.  In 1998 it was 13 percent at 13 million people and in 2020 population experts estimate that more than 50 million Americans (about 17 percent of the population) will be 65 or older.  Caring for the elderly is a big deal.  If you have an aging parent or friend who is not in a nursing home then finding other ways to care for that elderly person is important.  One way to care is by a medical alert system.

          There are many different types of medical alert systems that you can buy and vary in cost from thirty dollars to hundreds of dollars.  You can buy an alert system to call a dispatch center that you pay a monthly fee to, or an alert system that dials 911 directly, or one that dials a number that you program.  The alert system can be controlled several ways, including by a wireless wrist band remote, belt clip remote, necklace remote, or key chain remote.

          One product on the market is the SKYLINK Emergency Auto Dialer.  This auto dialer can dial for help in the event of a fall or other emergency.  This gives you and your loved ones peace of mind by automatically dialing up to 9 phone numbers that you pre select.  The system dials when the panic button on the wireless key chain remote is pressed.  There is a 40 second message that you pre record that plays each time a number is dialed.  In addition, the SKYLINK Emergency Auto Dialer features 2-way communication capability via the unit's speaker phone, allowing the person in trouble to carry on a conversation with a person on the other end of the line.  The wireless key chain offers 3 buttons in addition to the panic button to program with direct speed dial numbers.  The SKYLINK Emergency Auto Dialer can be purchased on-line at www.HomeSecurityStore.com.

          Another product which www.HomeSecurityStore.com features is the 911 Guardian Emergency Phone.  The Guardian Phone is a simple, more direct solution when you need help.  Requiring no monthly fees, you can talk directly to the emergency 911 operator, instead of calling a call center.  The water resistant pendant, which is included, can be worn around your neck or carried in your pocket at all times.  All you need to do in the event of an emergency is press the panic button.  Within seconds, you'll be able to speak directly with the 911 operator through the phone.

          If you decide to go with a medical alert provider that provides its own alert system then there are some tips in helping you pick which provider to go with.  First, lower pricing should not be your only criteria for a medical alert system.  That's because creditable providers can't offer you proper medical care below market prices.  Don't pay $50 a month just because a company has a name that you think you recognize or some celebrity endorses their product.  Also, insist on at least a 30 day money back trial.  Use a provider that operates its own monitoring center.  Ask about the training process for operators.  And make sure your system includes repair and replacement service.