Re: how to pick a medical alert monitoring service?

[Frank Olson <Use_the_email_links@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Troy Cauble wrote:
>
> I'm looking to get a medical alert monitoring
> service for a relative.  I'm primarily interested
> in the GE Caregard system.
>
> How do I pick a service?
> Given that I can install the Caregard, is there any
> reason to have a local service over a national one?
>
> I've been googling for "Caregard monitoring", but
> that's going to lead to a decision based on price.
> What else should I be considering?
>
> Thanks,
> -troy

When someone you love is going to benefit from a service like this,
price shouldn't even enter into the picture.  You get what you pay for.
  The monitoring station that's going to be responding to your signals
should be UL (or ULC in Canada) and/or FM listed.  This ensures the
physical station and the personell have met an acceptable standard when
it comes to the equipment they employ, the protection level of the
monitoring station, and the type of training the staff receive that will
be dealing with your call for help.  I personally recommend a "local"
station (that is "local" to your relative's home), but a number of the
"nationals" also provide excellent services using toll free -
out-of=state monitoring.  Make sure the station you contemplate using
meets all the criteria set by your local municipal codes and bylaws.
It's often a good idea to contact the local licensing authority to
confirm that the firm you're using actually *employs* licensed and
screened staff.

What's the panel testing schedule?  Daily?  Weekly?  what's the local
authorities response to a false alarm (fines, penalties)?  What area of
the country do you live in??  Make darn sure that if you are
contemplating a "national service", that they offer response *in your area*.

There's more here:

http://www.yoursecuritysource.com/monitoringfaq.htm

http://www.yoursecuritysource.com/howtobuyanalarmfaq.htm

http://www.yoursecuritysource.com/buyingonline.htm

http://www.alarm.org/pressreleases/10tips.html

Good luck!!!

Frank Olson
http://www.yoursecuritysource.com