What is a PERS System?

PERS is an acronym standing for Personal Emergency Response System.  These systems allow the user to summon assistance in the event of a fall or other medical emergency.  Particularly useful for elderly people, these systems are becoming more popular as the baby boomers are reaching retirement age.

Seniors who need only a modicum of assistance or medical care still wish to retain their independence -- to be able to stay in their own home, for example.  For many in this situation, a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) can provide constant availability of emergency assistance, yet provide the desired independence.


A PERS system consists of three elements:
    •    A portable transmitter (often worn on a wristband or pendant)
    •    A console
    •    The monitoring service

The portable transmitter often consists of nothing more than a button worn on a wristband or pendant, that allows the user to activate a distress call to the monitoring service by pressing the button.
The console is connected to a phone line, and places a call to the monitoring service when the console is activated.  The console can usually be activated from either a portable transmitter (the wristband or pendant button) or from the console itself.  The console is sometimes equipped with voice capabilities, which gives additional flexibility.
The third element to the system is the monitoring service -- also called a central station -- which provides 24/7 monitoring.  The monitoring service is an important element, and one that you should consider carefully.  Many central station monitoring services are small operations that provide little more than phone-answering and call-placing services.  Some central stations have highly trained staffs that can make a big difference in sending the proper assistance to the PERS customer.
A Personal Emergency Response System is something that many more seniors will be considering in the years ahead.