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.
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