Medical alert systems, also known as personal emergency response systems (PERS) or “help buttons,” are used by hundreds of thousands of Canadians every year. With the average age of our population steadily increasing, they continue to grow in popularity with every passing year. Still, even with these devices becoming more commonplace, they are still often misunderstood. Some common misconceptions are that medical alert systems are only for frail, elderly people, that they’re too expensive, unreliable, or complicated to use, and that a smartphone can do the same job just as well.
In reality, medical alert buttons are designed for a much wider range of people, from active older adults to those managing chronic conditions. They’re even designed purposefully to be simpler and more dependable than a phone in an emergency. The truth is, one in three older Canadians fall at least once a year, and misconceptions like these are often what keep people from getting help in a timely fashion when it’s most needed. Below, we break down the most common myths surrounding medical alert devices.
What Is A Medical Alert System?
A medical alert system is a simple wearable button that is designed to be worn 24/7. When activated, either by pressing the physical button or by having it detect a fall through sensors, it connects the user to a live response associate who can assess the situation and send help, whether that’s a family member, a neighbour, or emergency services if needed.
The technology itself isn’t new or flashy. It’s been around for decades. And that’s the point. It’s designed to do one job extremely well: get reliable help fast.
While medical alert systems are often associated with older adults living alone, the target audience is actually broader than most people realize. People who could benefit from a personal help button include:
- Older adults who want to keep living independently at home
- People recovering from surgery or a hospital stay
- Individuals managing chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or epilepsy
- People living alone at any age who want a safety net
- Caregivers and family members who want peace of mind when they can’t be there in person
Do Misconceptions Hurt Older Adults?
Misconceptions about help buttons can have lasting negative effects on the people who could benefit most from them. When a person assumes that this kind of safety device is “not for them,” or that it’s too complicated or expensive, they end up delaying getting one. We often hear the phrase “I don’t need one yet” when we try to chat with individuals who could benefit from the service. However, sometimes people fail to understand that a medical alert device is a preventive measure. It is not effective after an incident has already happened! At that point, it may already be too late. That delay matters.
Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalization among Canadians aged 65 and over. The danger isn’t only the fall itself; it’s often what happens after. A “long lie,” the term used when someone is unable to get up and remains on the floor for an extended period, can lead to dehydration, internal injuries, pneumonia, and even a lasting decline in confidence and independence. Medical alert services exist to reliably decrease the time between something going wrong and when help is able to arrive. The faster someone can get help, the better their outcomes become. That’s why understanding what’s true and what’s a myth is so important. Especially when it affects the decision to get a potentially life-saving service like a medical alert button.
Medical Alert Systems Are Only for People in Poor Health
One of the most persistent myths about medical alert systems is that you only need one once your health or independence has significantly changed. That perception can make people reluctant to consider the service because wearing a help button may feel like an admission that they’ve reached a certain stage of life. In reality, people choose medical alert services for many different reasons, from living alone or managing a health or mobility concern to simply wanting reliable access to help if something unexpected happens. For many, it’s less about giving up independence and more about having another tool to help maintain it.
Waiting until you’ve already fallen misses the entire purpose of the device: having help available before a crisis, not after one. By being able to get help quickly and reliably after a fall or other emergency, you can better maintain your independence and continue to live a life filled with all of the experiences that make life worth living.
Medical Alert Systems Are Expensive
Cost is one of the biggest hesitations people have when considering whether or not to get one of these systems for themselves or a loved one. What is important to note is that medical alert buttons come in a wide range of service options and prices. Most basic buttons that connect to a monitoring centre are usually the most affordable options. They don’t come with any mobile service capabilities or fall-detecting sensors, but are still extremely effective at getting help when needed.
For the average person looking to add an extra layer of protection, even these basic options will serve them well. More advanced systems add features like fall detection, GPS location tracking, or lifestyle features like step counting and heart rate monitoring, which come at a higher cost. In addition, subsidy and other assistance programs exist to help offset the cost for those who qualify, such as Victoria Lifeline’s subsidy program, so cost shouldn’t be treated as an automatic dealbreaker without first checking what’s actually available and what programs they might qualify for.
In the case of potential Victoria Lifeline subscribers, we always encourage Manitobans to call our office and speak to a representative. Together, we can find a service that meets your needs and budget. Our friendly staff will help you figure out what programs you qualify for.
Medical Alert Systems Are Unreliable
Medical Alert Systems Are Unreliable
As the population gradually gets older, we see more and more medical alert providers flooding the market. This space has attracted some big tech players. Now, popular smartwatch providers, like Apple, add fall detection functionality to their services. It’s true, these products are extremely sophisticated and offer wearers a large breadth of applications that traditional PERS doesn’t. Between the brand recognition and complicated technology, they can appear to be more reliable.
In reality, medical alert systems are known for being highly reliable, largely because they’re so simple. They’re built for a single purpose, which reduces the chances of user error, confusion, or something going wrong at the worst possible time.
As an organization, we also hear older adults commonly state that their emergency response plan is simply using their phone to call for help when it’s needed. In reality, relying solely on a phone presents risks.
Advantages of relying on a medical alert device over a traditional phone:
Accessibility: A medical alert pendant or wristband is worn on the body, so it’s always within reach in the bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom. A phone can just as easily be left charging in another room or sitting on a counter, out of reach exactly when it’s needed most.
Simplicity under pressure: During a crisis, the last thing anyone needs is to navigate a locked screen, find an app, or dial a number. Complicated technology can be difficult for some older adults to operate at the best of times.
Ongoing monitoring: Medical alert systems are typically tested monthly, and providers like Victoria Lifeline actively track device health. If something needs attention, like a battery nearing the end of its life, the provider reaches out proactively instead of waiting for the user to notice a problem.
The Likelihood Of An Emergency Or Fall Happening Is Low
Are the chances of you or a loved one experiencing a fall low? Unfortunately, the data would have to disagree. According to Statistics Canada, one in three Canadian seniors will fall at least once a year, and that risk climbs to roughly one in two for adults over 80. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalization among Canadian seniors, account for the majority of hip fractures in this age group, and contribute to billions of dollars in direct healthcare costs annually.
We recommend that our subscribers, or anyone considering the service, think of it like you would insurance. We hope you never need it. But in reality, there is a strong chance you will. And we want you to be protected when it happens. Not after the fact.
Medical Alert Systems Are Too Complicated For Seniors To Use
False; they are purposefully built with the target audience, usually older adults, in mind. Medical alert systems are built to do one thing and one thing only – get help when it’s needed the most. Most help buttons do not come with any apps to navigate, no passwords needed to unlock the device, and no complicated screens to navigate.
These safety devices are specifically designed for older adults. They usually come with large buttons, clear instructions, and a single function, precisely to eliminate the confusion that more complex technology can introduce.
A Medical Alert System And Medical ID Are The Same Thing
Though these two tools sound very similar, they are not the same and are often confused for one another. They serve different purposes. A medical alert system is a device that is constantly worn on a subscriber’s body and helps them to reliably connect to help when they experience a fall or other emergency. A medical ID, usually worn as a bracelet, simply stores information such as allergies, medications, or conditions for first responders to reference once they arrive. It does not actively help you get help when it’s needed.
In short: one gets you help, the other informs the help once it arrives. Individuals can benefit from having both. Though it’s important to know that with services like Lifeline, a file is kept on each subscriber that is accessed by every response associate when help is requested, which stores many of the same bits of information that a medical ID would, should the need for emergency services arise.
Medical Alert Systems Need Wi-Fi or Cell Phone Connection
Most modern medical alert systems, including those offered through Victoria Lifeline, operate using a landline or cellular connection only. There’s no need for a home Wi-Fi network, a smartphone, or a Bluetooth pairing process. This keeps setup simple and avoids the risk of the device going offline because a router was unplugged or a phone’s Bluetooth was accidentally turned off.
Family and Neighbours Will Help If Needed
At face value, relying on family or neighbours sounds like a reasonable plan. Unfortunately, it’s better in theory than in practice. It requires a lot of assumptions. What if they don’t happen to visit that day? They can’t help if they don’t know something is wrong, especially if the person who fell can’t reach a phone to call them. What if they’re out of town, at work, or simply unavailable when it matters most?
Your friends and neighbours are also not trained in emergency response procedures. They don’t know what to look out for or what questions to ask. Sometimes what feels like a minor issue turns out to need more serious medical attention. A trained call centre associate is equipped to evaluate each call and help determine the appropriate level of help needed, something a well-meaning family member or neighbour typically isn’t trained to do.
The Call Centres Are All Overseas
For some service providers, this might be true. That’s why conducting research before choosing a medical alert company is so important. A local service, like Victoria Lifeline, has all of its response associates based in Canada.
When it comes to medical alert systems, the biggest barrier is usually the misinformation and stigma surrounding it. Once the myths are cleared away, what’s left is a simple truth: a medical alert button is one of the most straightforward, dependable safety tools available for older adults and anyone living alone.
Knowledge is power, and now that you know what’s fact and what’s fiction, the decision becomes a lot easier. Don’t wait for a fall or emergency to find out how valuable that peace of mind really is. Get the simple, reliable protection of a medical alert system in place today, before you need it.
Disclaimer
This article is meant to be informational and should not replace the advice of a trained healthcare professional. What works for some individuals might be harmful to others. Consult a professional before making any significant changes. *Fall Detection does not detect 100% of falls. If you can, always press the button you are wearing if you need help. Undetectable falls can include a gradual slide from a seated position, such as from a wheelchair, which may not register as a fall. On the Go relies on cellular network availability. Lifeline may not always be able to determine your location.