More Details

TYPES
CALL CENTRE MONITORING - When the user activates the alarm, a call goes to a monitoring centre which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The monitoring station identifies the caller and follows a pre-arranged emergency response plan. This may include contacting a list of support people or arranging emergency services such as an ambulance or the police. A monitoring service has ongoing fees.

NOMINATED PERSON MONITORING - When the user activates the alarm, the unit begins dialing the first telephone number, from a list phone numbers of support people which have been programmed into this unit in order of preference or availability. The number of support contacts able to be programmed varies from unit to unit. The system relies on the ability of the nominated persons to be available to provide assistance. The respondent needs to acknowledge the user requiring help, by pressing a designated number on their phone. Usually a pre-recorded message informs the nominated person of the emergency so that appropriate help can be provided. A nominated person monitoring system has no ongoing fees.

DUAL MONITORING- Some products provide the option of having both systems e.g activated call can go to either a Call Centre and/or Nominated Person. Both systems consist of two components, a transmitter and a receiver.

Transmitter - The device the user activates to call for assistance. They are battery operated and come in a range of options such as waterproof pendant, waterproof wristband or bracelet, belt clip, key ring, or brooch worn on and around the body. Larger pads mounted on wheelchairs or walls within the home are also available. The device can be activated by a push, pull, squeeze or puff to accommodate a variety of user abilities. The users physical ability should be considered when choosing the type of transmitter.

FEATURES
Water resistance - most transmitters are splash resistant however the level of water resistance varies from system to system so check with the supplier.
Multiple transmitters - some systems can accommodate up to 8 transmitters for multiple users of the same receiver unit, which is useful when there is more than one user in a single household.
Range of activation - most have an activation range of 30-80metres, sufficient for in and around an average home. However some systems offer an extension of range up to 300metres. This is useful for those on larger properties. It is important to select a system with appropriate range for the home and it should be tested in all areas

OPTIONS
Some systems have additional sensors at an extra cost. These extra sensors can be useful in detecting hazardous or emergency situations.

Sensors are additional transmitters that are activated by a change in the body or environment.
Fall detector - a change in a person's orientation in space e.g. lying activates the alarm if not rectified in a short time period. These can be overly sensitive and rely on the wearer to remember to switch them off when resting, and on when upright.
Inactivity - checks if the user has moved within a pre-selected time period.
Movement sensors - Passive Infrared Sensor (PIS) detects movement in the home for security.
Bed/Chair - detects when a user gets up from a chair or bed.
Door/Window - detects if opened to monitor people with dementia, or others, who may wander.
Enuresis - detects urine on a chair or bed.
Gas, smoke, flooding.

Telephone operating facilities-allow the user to answer and/or hang up a phone call by pressing the designated button on the transmitter.

Receiver - The unit is attached to a standard telephone line. It can replace the existing telephone or be an additional unit positioned beside their regular telephone. The receiver picks up the signal from the transmitter and activates contact to either the monitoring service or commences dialing the sequence of nominated numbers until answered.

FEATURES
Voice to voice - allows the user to speak to the respondent receiving the emergency call. It works like a speakerphone,
the user must be within 5-10metres from the receiver.
Welfare call - the user is prompted by a message from the receiver unit to respond either by pressing the button on the transmitter or unit. Or alternatively, speaking directly to the monitoring service staff by speakerphone.
Medication reminder - the user is prompted by a message from the unit at a programmed time. The user needs to respond either by pressing the button on the transmitter or unit, alternatively the user can speak directly to the monitoring service staff by speakerphone.
Battery back up - allows continued use of the PACS during a mains power failure.

Factors to consider:
Availability of support persons when selecting a call centred monitored system or nominated person monitored system.
Access to person's home in an emergency event. Coded key boxes are available to allow nominated persons to obtain a house key by using the code.
Costs - monitored systems incur an installation fee and ongoing monitoring fees. Discount for pensioners and pension cardholders are available from some suppliers. Some Councils offer subsidised installation and monitoring costs, check with your local Council for details. Some suppliers offer either short or long-term rental or direct purchase.
Users ability - the user needs to be physically able and willing to activate the transmitter alarm. They also need to be capable of following instructions and associate the action of pressing the button to obtain help.
Environment in which the PACS is used. The distance the user would be from the receiver unit to ensure activation of the alarm call.
How many users in a household.
Emergency services "000" have given permission to be a last contact number for some nominated person monitored systems, providing the person can be capable of conversing with the services in the event of an emergency.

Installation:
A mode 3 or mode 5 telephone socket should be installed with the PACS to ensure an emergency call will get through, if the phone's receiver is off the hook or another device is in use such as the fax or dial-up internet. If Broadband Internet is used an ADSL filter will be needed. If NBN ready, PACS must be connected to the UNI-V port.

Considerations

Connecting Medical Alarms to the National Broadband Network

The National Broadband Network (NBN) is planned to provide a high-speed optical fibre connection to 93% of Australians, with the remaining 7% in non-urban areas served by a lower speed wireless or satellite service.

If built as proposed, the NBN will ultimately replace the copper network and looks set to make all other public fixed-line telecommunications networks in Australia obsolete.

Medical alarms supplied by PERSA are expected to work correctly when connected to the NBN. PERSA is the Personal Emergency Response Services Association. Current members are listed on the PERSA website www.persa.com.au <http://www.persa.com.au/>.

However it should be noted that the battery back-up time on the NBN is very short, and will only work for a few hours during a power failure in customer's premises. So this may mean equipment relying on this will not work if there is an extended power failure.

It is also vitally important that your equipment is set-up correctly to work with your medical alarm, and that your selected Retail Service Provider can support that set-up.

If the NBN is rolling-out in your area, you need to call your medical alarm service BEFORE YOU SIGN ANY CONTRACT FOR THE NBN SERVICE.

Your medical alarm service will assist you to select a retail service provider that can support the continued operation of your medical alarm over the NBN.

For Phone Based Alarms with Nominated Contacts

Although it is possible to program 000 into an auto dialler, it is important to be aware that 000 calls from automated devices (such as auto diallers) may result in a delayed response from emergency services, or even no response. If the caller is not able to speak, this may initiate a 'Caller No Respond' protocol. When this is initiated, the result may be that the call is disconnected.

Refer to <http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2011C00206> or <http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_1695> for more information.

Standards

Standards
Some assistive technology needs to meet Australian or other standards. Standards may relate to materials, manufacturing and installation. Products that meet Australian or international standards will have written certification. To find out if a product meets Australian Standards ask the supplier to show you the certificate. For more information about standards also see
http://at-aust.org/home/assistive_technology/standards.html

TGA
Many of the items on the Assistive Technology Australia website are categorised as a Medical Device. Medical devices that are approved for use in Australia have been entered into a national database called the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), which is maintained by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). You can ask the supplier for the ARTG number for the device you wish to purchase and search the ARTG for the entry. To access information on the ARTG visit www.tga.gov.au

When buying a medical device it is advisable to only choose a medical device that is recommended by a healthcare professional and has been included on the ARTG.