Wall Mounted Help Buttons – Extra Peace of Mind For Medical Alert Users

Medical alert systems provide peace of mind for seniors and their caregivers, and offer reassurance that help is available at the press of a button.

However, there is one problem with medical alert systems – people don’t always wear their personal buttons.

Some medical alert companies offer wall-mounted help buttons in addition to their wearable emergency buttons. These wall-mounted buttons are a fantastic idea as far as we are concerned, because in the event that a user isn’t wearing their alert pendant or bracelet, help is still available.

Why Might A Senior Remove Their Alert Button?

There are many reasons that a user might remove their medical alert bracelet or pendant, such as:

• To shower or bathe – most buttons are water resistant, but they are not all 100% watertight so some people might choose to remove them for bathing.
• To sleep – wearing a medical alert to sleep isn’t always the most comfortable option.
• Forgetfulness – sometimes people simply forget to wear their alert button.
• To perform certain tasks – if a button is in the way while carrying out a household or personal task, it might get removed.
• Vanity – some seniors don’t like the look of alert buttons and might refuse to wear them.

Wall-Mounted Help Buttons Offer Extra Security

Wall-mounted help buttons offer extra peace of mind for seniors and their caregivers. They generally come with a large red “help” sticker on them, so they are easy for older adults to see and reach.

Wall buttons act just like a medical alert button – they activate a two way speaker system and allow the user to speak to trained staff at the call center.

Most models are simple to mount using strong sticky tape, so affixing them to the wall is a straightforward process.

Which Medical Alert Providers Offer Wall-Mounted Help Buttons?

Many medical alert providers also offer wall-mounted help buttons. Some popular brands that include wall buttons as an optional accessory are:

• MobileHelp
• Bay Alarm Medical
• LifeStation

When searching for a wearable medical alert system, it’s worth exploring each website to see if wall-mounted help buttons are offered in addition. You’ll usually find them under the “accessories” section. Alternatively, why not put in a quick call to the sales line to find out if they offer wall buttons?

How Much Do They Cost?

Wall-mounted help buttons are usually offered as an add-on service to the existing medical alert package. They are very inexpensive – we’ve seen them ranging from $1.95 to $2.49 per button per month.

It’s a good idea to buy a few buttons to position around the house so that one is always close by. Even if you buy four buttons, that’s still less than $10 a month extra. The extra protection they afford is well worth the small extra cost.

Where Should They Be Placed?

Place wall-mounted help buttons in the areas where seniors are most likely to remove their traditional pendant or bracelet.

Bathrooms and bedrooms are good choices, especially as these are places where users are at extra high risk of a fall. According to stopfalls[dot]org, 30% of older adults who fall in the home fall in the bedroom, and 13% in the bathroom (their study focused on homes without stairs.) Seniors who awake in the night disoriented, or are up first thing and still confused from sleep, are at a higher risk of falling. Bathrooms can be slippery and therefore present a real fall hazard.

Bathrooms and bedrooms are also two of the places where seniors are most likely to take their medical alert off.

In addition to bathrooms and bedrooms, it’s a good idea to place a fall button in the lounge, and another one in the hallway.

Remember to place the buttons close to the ground so they are easy to reach if a seniors falls.

If you are purchasing a medical alert system, it’s a good idea to look for wall buttons as an add-on. They are inexpensive and easy to install, and offer added peace of mind for users and caregivers alike.