CareRinger

Do you need a panic button or just a daily call to check-in on you? Medical alert and CareRinger are different. Here are the considerations why one would choose one medical alert system (PERS) over another¹ , and how they compare to CareRinger. By pressing a panic button, PERS provides a fast and easy way for the elderly, people with health issues, and those who live alone, to get help during an emergency. CareRinger is not meant to replace PERS. They are not mutually exclusive either. Consider both if neither one can offer you peace of mind.

Considerations	Medical Alert	CareRinger Visit careringer.com to learn more
Equipment Installation	The most basic systems use a landline, and consist of a base unit for communication and a portable help button that dials up an emergency response center and connects you to a live agent. For an additional fee, there are cellular options and GPS-based mobile solutions for people on the go, as well as options that automatically send an alarm when a fall is detected.	A landline phone or cell phone is required. The designated contact will need a cell phone if text notification is requested. If an answering service is used with the phone, it should be set to activate after at least 25 seconds (or about 5 rings) to avoid a false positive. CareRinger is primarily for home-bound individuals. Active seniors can use their cell phone to check-in while they are away from home.
Service Verification	It’s a good idea (and encouraged by providers) to run a test by pressing the help button on the base unit every so often to make sure everything is working.	An automated system allows you to request CareRinger to call you so you can test the system anytime, or to show you and your contact how it works.
Wellness Call	Some services also offer daily wellness checks where an agent will call in at a specified time to make sure everything is OK and remind you to take your medications.	Whether it’s for wellness check or as a reminder² , CareRinger calls you at the time of your choosing. When the call is not answered, it will notify one or more of your contacts by phone, text or email that you may need help.
Monthly Fees	A landline-based in-home system can range in price from around $25 up to $35 per month. Expect to pay anywhere from $35 to $45 per month for cellular in-home subscription. Mobile systems can run as high as $65 to $75 dollars per month, and some services may require a one-time mobile device fee of up to $150 upfront.	Individual plans are priced at: $19.50 per month or $29.50 per month if premium features are included. Service is billed at the beginning of each service month. There is no term contract and no termination charge. CareRinger also offers group plans for organizations serving their communities.
Contact List and 911 Call	If you request help, the agent will call 911 and have an emergency responder dispatched to your address. If you are unable to answer, the agent will begin calling the numbers on your contact list. If the agent can’t reach anybody on the list, they will then contact 911.	There is no agent involved. Your trusted contacts will be notified if you are unable to answer. They will decide what to do when you do not answer your call.
Cancel Call	On some systems pressing the reset button will cancel the call to the response center.	You can check-in early to skip the next call by: Dialing to a service number. Turning off a light (e.g. using the “tap-2-check-in” light button) during the time of your choosing. Asking Alexa³ to cancel the next call

Considerations

Medical Alert

Visit careringer.com
to learn more

Equipment Installation

The most basic systems use a landline, and consist of a base unit for communication and a portable help button that dials up an emergency response center and connects you to a live agent.

For an additional fee, there are cellular options and GPS-based mobile solutions for people on the go, as well as options that automatically send an alarm when a fall is detected.

A landline phone or cell phone is required. The designated contact will need a cell phone if text notification is requested.

If an answering service is used with the phone, it should be set to activate after at least 25 seconds (or about 5 rings) to avoid a false positive.

CareRinger is primarily for home-bound individuals. Active seniors can use their cell phone to check-in while they are away from home.

Service Verification

It’s a good idea (and encouraged by providers) to run a test by pressing the help button on the base unit every so often to make sure everything is working.

An automated system allows you to request CareRinger to call you so you can test the system anytime, or to show you and your contact how it works.

Wellness Call

Some services also offer daily wellness checks where an agent will call in at a specified time to make sure everything is OK and remind you to take your medications.

Whether it’s for wellness check or as a reminder² , CareRinger calls you at the time of your choosing. When the call is not answered, it will notify one or more of your contacts by phone, text or email that you may need help.

Monthly Fees

A landline-based in-home system can range in price from around $25 up to $35 per month.

Expect to pay anywhere from $35 to $45 per month for cellular in-home subscription.

Mobile systems can run as high as $65 to $75 dollars per month, and some services may require a one-time mobile device fee of up to $150 upfront.

Individual plans are priced at: $19.50 per month or $29.50 per month if premium features are included.

Service is billed at the beginning of each service month. There is no term contract and no termination charge.

CareRinger also offers group plans for organizations serving their communities.

Contact List and 911 Call

If you request help, the agent will call 911 and have an emergency responder dispatched to your address.

If you are unable to answer, the agent will begin calling the numbers on your contact list. If the agent can’t reach anybody on the list, they will then contact 911.

There is no agent involved. Your trusted contacts will be notified if you are unable to answer. They will decide what to do when you do not answer your call.

Cancel Call

On some systems pressing the reset button will cancel the call to the response center.

You can check-in early to skip the next call by:

Dialing to a service number.
Turning off a light (e.g. using the “tap-2-check-in” light button) during the time of your choosing.
Asking Alexa³ to cancel the next call

¹
The Best Medical Alert Systems for 2019 By John R. Delaney November 14, 2018 https://www.pcmag.com/article/356981/the-best-medical-alert-systems

²
CareRinger can work with a smart light as an adjunct reminder in addition to the daily call

³
Alexa is trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates