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Does my loved one need
a special phone jack in order to have a PERS?
For most systems, it’s not
necessary to have any special type of jack or wiring. Usually a
regular, modular phone jack is all that’s needed in order to
plug the alarm into, and it will not affect the phone or any
other item plugged into the jack.
What if my loved one still has
a rotary phone system? Will the PERS still work?
Almost every PERS is able to
work with either a rotary/pulse or tone phone line. Just be sure
that your loved one notifies the company before everything is
connected, so that they will know what kind of phone system they
are going to be working with.
Can my loved one take their
PERS with them if they move?
PERS companies usually ask for
a written notice within 24 hours of a move, in order to update
your loved one’s file with the new address and telephone number.
What happens if my loved one
accidentally sets-off the alarm?
If this should occur, your
loved one needs to tell the emergency response center operator
that the alarm has been set-off accidentally. The operator will
then disconnect the alarm and no further action would be taken.
What if my loved one lives in a
remote, rural area? Is there coverage available?
If your loved one lives in a
rural area, it is most likely best to go with a PERS that works
from a manufacturer-based center, operating from one, national
center company, enabling your loved one to have service
anywhere. All that is required is that your loved one have
telephone service available in their location.
What’s the total cost of a PERS?
The device can be purchased,
rented, or leased. The purchase prices normally range from $200
to more than $1500. There may also be a small installation fee,
and definitely a monthly monitoring charge that can range
anywhere from $10 to $50. Devices can also be rented for from
$15 to $50 per month, which usually includes the monitoring
service. Lease agreements can be long-term or can include an
option to buy. Some contracts have a cancellation charge.
However, you should beware of companies that don't set a fixed
price for their equipment, because they may set a price based on
a percentage of the value of a loved one’s house or yearly
income.
What type of contract or
agreement must be signed for service?
Every PERS company is
different, but there are those who don’t require a long-term
agreement, and only have an initial six month term, after which
your loved one can cancel service anytime, without penalty or
cancellation fees, and with just a 30 day notification.
Are PERS covered by Medicare,
Medicaid, or insurance companies?
Usually not, but if your loved
one has a prescription for a medical alarm, payment arrangements
might be made between your loved one and the company providing
their health insurance. Some times a health insurance company
will reimburse your loved one after they initially pay the total
cost up-front.
Is it possible for me to order
a PERS for my loved one, but have the bill sent to me?
PERS companies usually have no
problem with this, requiring billing instructions and
information pertaining to you instead of your loved one.
How often is my loved one
billed?
There are as many different
ways to pay for a PERS as there are companies, so it is
important to find out, up-front, what kind of payments are
expected for the monitoring services. Will it be monthly
billing? Will the initial cost of the PERS unit also include a
month or two of service? If you go with a service that allows
month-to-month payments, you will usually encounter very little
problem or penalty should you need to cancel the service. Some
also allow you to pay either annually (12 months at-a-time),
semi-annually (six months at-a-time), or quarterly (every three
months).
What other features do PERS
offer?
Many of the systems include
daily reminder notification, regarding medications,
and appointments. Some systems
also offer several benefits for loved ones who have different
disabilities, like hearing impairment, visual impairment, and
those who have mobility challenges. Some of these features
include handsets that are hearing aid compatible, flashing
keypad for incoming calls, oversized keypad numbers, and
hands-free capability.
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