As technology races ahead with new methods to help adult children keep an eye on the welfare of their elders, the personal medical alert system, proven effective over more than two decades, remains a smart choice for many families. Personal medical alert systems are comprised of an emergency call button, generally worn as a necklace or bracelet, and a relay device that telephones a dispatch center when the emergency button is pressed. The dispatcher has a contact number on file and calls that number so someone can check on the client who signaled for help. The dispatcher will call 9-1-1 if the contact isn’t immediately found.

In my case, keeping an eye out wasn’t enough

Late one afternoon I glanced out my kitchen window and saw my 83-year-old neighbor Joe’s garage door open. In itself, this wasn’t unusual, however, a second glance told me Joe was in trouble. He was lying on the ground. I raced over, saw he was hurt and called an ambulance. It turned out Joe had dislocated his shoulder, which was tended to. I then took him home, but this time we made sure he was wearing a personal medical alert necklace so he could summon help the next time he needed it.