History

• The FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health ensures that medical devices are safe for before they are allowed to be marketed. Such devices include those marketed by the company known as Life Alert. Life Alert is a personal emergency response company. Founded in 1987, it provides services throughout the United States. Life Alert employs more than 500 workers. They use video and audio equipment to help ensure the safety of seniors and those requiring additional help to be able to live in their own homes safely. It is also an invaluable service for anyone with limited mobility.
  
  

Significance

• As of 2007, Life Alert had documented a total of 13,638 cases of lives being saved from catastrophic emergencies due to their response methods. They handle over 1 million calls for help each year, and save a life from potential catastrophe approximately every 40 minutes.
  
  

Function

• The Life Alert Master Unit
  
  Life Alert systems work by providing a device that is worn around the neck. A Life Alert monitor is set up within the home. When activating the device, a signal is sent to an automatic dialer that connects the injured person to a recipient on the other end. It is a two-way communicating device, so the injured will have the security of knowing they are speaking to a person rather than a computerized voice or answering machine. Life Alert, in turn, contacts emergency personnel as well as the person's family or friends.
  
  

Considerations

• Life Alert also provides senior citizens help with a variety of other issues, such as electric or water damage, extreme weather conditions, general information on a wide range of topics (medical suppliers, doctors, pharmacies, phone companies, power companies) and advising relatives regarding a variety of situations. These services are accessed by dialing a toll-free telephone number and are included in the cost of the Life Alert service.
  
  

Features

• There are varying degrees of Life Alert services. Life Alert Classic features protection from medical emergencies, fire and carbon monoxide poisoning 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  Life Alert 50+ features all of the standard home protection features, as well as a video security device.
  In addition to the pendant worn around the neck, Life Alert now offers a watch/bracelet type device for use in the very same manner.
  Life Alert also provides a cell phone for use away from home, with a button feature to connect promptly to 911 emergency services.
  
  

Benefits

• Life Alert ensures that emergency services respond promptly.
  
  Life Alert services afford seniors and people with limited mobility the option of staying independent from nursing homes far longer in life than they might otherwise have. Issues like falling, medical emergencies like injuries or heart attacks, and frightening situations like fires and gas leaks are all monitored, with emergency personnel promptly contacted at the first sign of a problem. Proven to have saved countless lives, such a service is also extremely beneficial for the simple peace of mind it affords.