As seniors get older, health complications or chronic conditions can lead them to begin worrying about losing their independence. For many older adults, losing their driver’s license is a traumatic event, as their license represents the ability to go where they want, when they want. However, even though seniors want to keep their driving privileges as long as possible, they still want peace of mind while behind the wheel. Thanks to Bay Alarm Medical’s In-Car Medical Alert System, senior drivers can get help when they need it, as well as the peace of mind that comes with technology interventions.
The Need for In-Car Medical Alert Systems
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the risk of being injured or killed in a vehicle crash increase with age. Further, approximately 20 seniors are killed, and approximately 700 injured, in vehicle accidents each day. Seniors can be more vulnerable to driving-related challenges due to:
- Decreased response and reaction time
- Confusion caused by cognitive decline
- Declined vision
- Decreased feeling in extremities
- Increased medication side effects
Older adults may feel nervous to get behind the wheel due to ongoing medical conditions or challenges, but they can feel more confident if they know help is only a button-push away. That’s where the In-Car Medical Alert System comes into play. This specialized piece of equipment, made possible by a partnership between Bay Alarm Medical and splitsecnd, ensures senior drivers are never truly alone on the road.
How the In-Car Medical Alert System Works
A less expensive option than services such as OnStar, Bay Alarm Medical’s In-Car Medical Alert System simply plugs into the 12V power source already available in all vehicles. The device offers automatic crash detection and response, as well as automatic assistance from the push of a button on the front of the device.
Once the assistance button is pushed, the device automatically connects to a trained responder via one of Bay Alarm Medical’s UL-Certified CSAA Five Diamond Certified monitoring centers. They will already have your medical information available, including any allergies or medications so that they can best deploy the assistance needed as efficiently as possible.
The In-Car Medical Alert System can be used for emergencies, such as vehicle accidents, but it also comes in handy for less dire situations. For example, the team at Bay Alarm Medical can deploy roadside assistance via local resources if a driver has a flat tire. Or, family members can check the In-Car Medical Alert System’s app to make sure their loved one made it safely to their destination.
Alan Wu, Bay Alarm Medical’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, says caregivers love the opportunity to track the location of the vehicle. “Also, the device is very sleek and looks like your run-of-the-mill car charger,” says Wu. “If the car were ever stolen, it would be easy to locate.”
Benefits of the In-Car Medical Alert System
One of the biggest benefits of investing in the In-Car Medical Alert System is the peace of mind that comes with knowing someone is always ready to offer assistance while on the road. However, there are other features that make this system user-friendly and affordable.
Family members can access GPS information via the web dashboard and app (available for Apple and Android smartphones), allowing them to monitor their loved one’s trips and safety. Curious if your dad made it to his destination while on his annual fishing road trip? You can check the app to double check. The GPS information via the app can also be quite helpful if your loved one becomes confused while driving. Further, family members can set up location boundaries and be alerted if the car leaves those predetermined parameters.
Finally, the In-Car Medical Alert System is easy to use for any senior. With only one button to push, a back-up battery power source, and built-in speaker for communication, this system is one of the most senior-friendly systems available in the car or in the home. Simply keep it plugged into the car at all times and push a button when you need assistance. You can count on Bay Alarm Medical’s staff to be available whenever you need them, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
“We don’t think there’s anything currently on the market that you can just stick into a 12V car socket and get all the functions like our in-car device,” says Alan Wu from Bay Alarm Medical. “The features are very robust and can serve many different use cases.”
Fast Facts About Bay Alarm Medical’s In-Car Medical Alert System
Here are a few more interesting features and facts about the In-Car Medical Alert System:
- The device itself is crash test certified, sending a signal of a crash within 0.46 seconds of impact
- A conversation between the driver and a representative from the monitoring center was established within 7 seconds post-crash
- A built-in speaker on the device makes communicating with monitor center staff easy; no second device is required
- This system eliminates the temptation for seniors to drive while operating their cellphone
- When the driver pushes the assistance button, the system automatically informs the driver’s emergency contact as well
- Having your medical information and preferences already on file with Bay Alarm Medical makes emergency assistance even more efficient, ensuring you get the best care possible
If you or your loved one are struggling to feel confident behind the wheel, or if one of you just needs the peace of mind that comes with a monitoring system, the In-Car Medical Alert System was designed just for your situation. It’s easy to use, it’s effective, and it ensures you or your loved one are as safe as possible in case of emergency or need for assistance.