Advancements in mPERS Technology Affords Seniors Mobile Safety and Greater Independence

Updated on June 28, 2013

Chris Holberty Chris Holbert

As more baby boomers reach the age range associated with serious fall-related injuries, the need for advancements in emergency medical alert devices becomes more pressing. Each year, one in every three adults age 65 and older falls. And, falls are the most common injury leading to death in this age range.

The mobile Personal Emergency Response System (mPERS) industry is a rapidly developing new branch of traditional PERS focused on meeting the needs of the growing sector of American seniors.  Current technology used by many seniors to reach help when they fall has a severely limited range of use. In order to contact help using this type of emergency alert button or pendant, seniors have to be inside their homes and within a short distance of the base unit that is wired to their home phone line.

Today’s seniors are not content remaining in their homes living life in fear of a serious fall. They are active and enjoy life – driving, golfing, and more and more have access to and use current technology.  In addition to requiring PERS technology that allows them to maintain the level of mobility they are accustomed to, seniors also require solutions that are multi-functional, simple to use and “smart”.

SecuraTrac has designed a suite of new mPERS solutions that interface with each other to form the most comprehensive personal health monitoring and notification system available.  From a waterproof Band-Aid-like patch to a watch and a small single button device, SecuraTrac’s products provide seniors with constant connectivity to emergency response teams.  Help can be reached automatically, even in situations where the user is unable to press a button or dial a phone.

mPERS products give seniors the ability to regain their freedom without fear by assuring them they can reach help at home and on the go. SecuraTrac’s MobileDefendercan be used in the yard, at a store, on the golf course or anywhere an active senior travels.  Should a medical emergency or accident occur, the person carrying the MobileDefender can press and hold the SOS button for 3 seconds to send an SOS message to pre-programmed contacts and trigger a phone call to a 24/7 monitoring center.  Though the small and light (approximately 1.5 ounces) MobileDefenderis typically worn with a lanyard around the neck, it has a sensitive microphone capable of picking-up clear voices from a distance, and a high-power speaker capable of  >100 decibels making it easy for seniors to hear.

Additionally, the MobileDefender can interface seamlessly with a variety of personal health monitors including a waterproof fall detecting patch. Known as the SecuraPatch, the patch is worn on the chest or back and benefits consumers by detecting falls, monitoring and notifying others when self-defined heart rate changes or respiration rate changes occur.  When an unexpected change is detected, the patch can interface with the MobileDefender, a smartphone app, or a special watch to send a real-time alert including information about the user’s location and other key details to designated contacts.

Traditional PERS technology is effective for putting seniors in touch with emergency help when at home and from close range of the hard-wired base station. But, the reality is technology can now provide aging adults with a much more effective solution that does not hamper mobility and has automatic fall detection.  Automated alerts triggered by pre-set levels for vitals such as respiration and heart rate, long periods of inactivity or falls eliminate the potential for a senior to be unable to call for help due to incapacitation. More variety in product offerings allows seniors to choose the best product to fit their lifestyle needs and, for the first time, technology can aid a senior in reaching family, friends, caregivers or emergency responders anywhere and at any time.

Chris Holbert is the CEO of SecuraTrac. As the CEO, he is responsible for leading the company’s vision of developing, marketing, and selling a suite of mobile health and safety solutions that bring families closer together and improve employee safety through state-of-the-art location-based services and mobile health technology. He is a dynamic, results-oriented business leader with a proven track record of building corporate competitive advantage through the integration of business and technology as a CEO, COO and CIO.  Prior to starting SecuraTrac, Chris was the COO and CIO of LaunchPad Communications.  Chris has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Theory from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Masters in Public Finance from the University of Chicago. 

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