Direct Alert, available from London Drugs, is an easy-to-use system that that relies on two main components—a control panel and a personal help button. The control panel utilizes a regular phone jack, and the person who will be using the system wears a small remote press-button device either on the wrist, around the neck, or as a pin.

How does it work?

After purchasing (or renting) the Direct Alert system, information concerning the wearer’s health conditions, address, mode of residential access and emergency contact information is provided to Direct Alert via the telephone or Internet. (This information is held in strict confidence and utilized only when needed to assist the user.)

If help is required, the user pushes his personal help button and the panel will send a signal to Direct Alert’s Emergency Response Center. A trained professional from the company’s Canadian medical alarm system team communicates with the user through the two-way voice panel and makes sure that help is provided without delay.

If the assistance of the emergency contact is required, he or she will be notified immediately and “patched” through to the Direct Alert user. This enables the user to hear a familiar voice and know that help is on the way. If the wearer describes an emergency situation or is unable to respond verbally after pressing the button, the emergency response team makes an immediate 911 call and remains on the line with the person requiring assistance until help arrives. The contact person will also be notified and patched in, if required.

The Direct Alert control panel may also be programmed to provide 16 medication reminders for people who would benefit from this service. The remote button may be used to answer the telephone.

A personal emergency response system will also benefit those who are disabled, or the able bodied who simply enjoy the peace of mind associated with knowing help is there, if needed.