Caregivers' Frequently Asked Questions

When Seniors Fall

Lifeline systems with fall detection are a sleek wearable that uses two different technologies to more accurately detect falls, avoid false alarms (a leading reason people don’t like wearing alert devices), and call for help whether your parent presses the button or not. Learn more about why Lifeline’s AutoAlert fall detection is right for your loved one.

When Seniors Have an Emergency

You’re right to worry about unforeseen emergencies. On the Go is perfect for active seniors who spend a lot of time outside the home, enabling them to request assistance from any location at any time. HomeSafe with AutoAlert is designed for homebound seniors, providing a 24/7/365 virtual companion that’s just a button-press away.

Our call center agents, accessed through a HomeSafe or On the Go system, are ready to assist even when your parent has a non-medical need, such as when she or he is locked out, requires roadside assistance, or needs to report a burglary or fire.

For Active Seniors

Our On the Go mobile system gives your active parent the freedom to pursue their interests and activities with the confidence and security of knowing help is a button push away. This wearable is waterproof, so it can be worn even in the bath or shower, where almost 36 percent of home-based fall injuries occur.

If a fall occurs, a quick response is vital: 60 percent of seniors who don’t request help for an hour or more are unable to return to independent living. HomeSafe with AutoAlert with Fall Detection uses two different technologies to more accurately identify and report falls. The AutoAlert Help Button detects more than 95 percent of many types of falls¹, and can automatically call for help with or without the push of a button,² so help is on the way much faster than if your parent called 9-1-1 on their own.

¹Based on the number of undetected falls that have been reported to Lifeline by U.S. AutoAlert subscribers for the period from January 2012 through July 2012. Undetectable falls can include a gradual slide from a seated position – such as from a wheelchair, which may not register as a fall.
²AutoAlert does not detect 100 percent of falls. If able, the user should always push their button when they need help.

Lifeline medical alert systems with fall detection give your parent access to support 24/7/365, whether they’re having an emergency, need help after a fall, or are feeling lonely or confused. This “virtual companion” gives you and your parent the confidence to continue living how and where she or he wants to. Learn more about aging at home.

Rapid Response

Admissions to the hospital and subsequent moves into long-term care are strongly associated with lying on the floor or ground for a long time after a fall.³ With Lifeline with AutoAlert with Fall Detection, it takes just 21 seconds for a trained agent to answer a call after a button is pressed or a fall is detected.³

Better Monitoring

Our CareSensus solution uses discreet motion and opened/closed sensors to monitor your parent and algorithms, predictive analytics that send early warnings of potential problems to healthcare providers, and a tablet-based communication system for immediate two-way video engagement with caregivers and health professionals.

Accurate Medication Dispensing

Our Automated Medication Dispensing Service can improve medication adherence to 96 percent, which can reduce ER visits by 53 percent.⁵ It also can decrease the incidence of medication errors, which are the top reason people over 75 are hospitalized.⁶

Lower Emergency Costs

Lifeline’s On the Go and HomeSafe with AutoAlert can reduce the cost of caregiving with rapid response to falls and other emergencies can reduce expensive ER visits (average cost: $1,233⁷) and ambulance rides (average cost: $429⁸), as well as avoiding high deductibles. Our personal emergency alert systems range from $539 to $659 per year. Check with your CPA about expenses – some systems that maintain health information may be deductible.

Fewer Hospital or Skilled Nursing Admissions

Lifeline’s On the Go and HomeSafe with AutoAlert can reduce the cost of caregiving to help keep your parent from requiring admission to a hospital (average cost for a fall-related admission: $30,000⁹) or nursing home (median cost of private room: $92,378/year).¹⁰
Our personal emergency alert systems range from $539 to $659 per year. Check with your CPA about expenses – some systems that maintain health information may be deductible.

Less Need for In-Home Services

Lifeline’s On the Go and HomeSafe with AutoAlert provide better monitoring and response, which can lower your parent’s need for in-home services like a home health aide (median cost: $46,332) or homemaker service provider (median cost:$45,760). Our personal emergency alert systems range from $539 to $659 per year. Check with your CPA about expenses – some systems that maintain health information may be deductible.

Better remote monitoring of your parent’s health and wellbeing reduces your need to take time off from your job or from other family obligations. Lifeline with AutoAlert with Fall Detection detects more than 95 percent of many types of falls** and reduces false alarms to only one every two months. That means fewer unnecessary trips for you to check on Mom or Dad or respond to erroneous calls for help.

**Based on the number of undetected falls that have been reported to  Lifeline by U.S. AutoAlert subscribers for the period from January 2012 through July 2012. Undetectable falls can include a gradual slide from a seated position – such as from a wheelchair, which may not register as a fall.

Lifeline’s On the Go and HomeSafe with AutoAlert and other Lifeline solutions ease the physical and emotional toll of caregiving. When you’re confident your parent is healthy and safe, and when you’re not stressed out over having a too-long to-do list, your relationship with every family member improves.