These days, cell phones have taken over numerous aspects of our lives—they fulfill the role of a watch, calculator, notepad, and computer all in one pocket-sized device. However, when it comes to notifying first responders in the event of a medical emergency, they may not be the best choice for your senior loved one. Here are just some of the reasons why it pays to invest in a medic alert button instead.

3 Reasons Medic Alert Systems Beat Cell Phones in Emergencies

1. Immediate Identification

When you call 911 and are connected to a dispatcher, they’ll ask a number of questions to try and find out who is calling, what happened to them, and how severe their injuries may be. The ONLY information that they MAY KNOW is the name, address, and phone number of the account holder from caller ID. In a medical emergency, unfortunately, injured seniors may not be in a position to communicate effectively.

A medic alert system, however, will have all pertinent information pertaining to your loved one on file, ready to relay to the authorities who respond, so all your loved one has to do is “push a button” to get the help they need—even if they’re unable to speak!

2. Simplified Design

The small buttons of a cell phone—whether touchscreen or not—are notorious for causing typos by users of all ages. If you’re a senior with limited eyesight, a tremor, or mobility issues, it’s even harder to use your device to craft a text message, enter a passcode, or type in a phone number. If your loved one is injured, it may be near impossible.

Luckily, a medic alert system only requires the push of a single button, so your parent or grandparent can readily and easily get the help they need.

3. Peace of Mind

Since some cell phones have GPS systems, you might assume that they’re fully capable of helping first responders locate your loved one. However, even if a cell phone could convey location to a dispatcher, a phone’s positioning detection software is accurate only within 300 meters of the caller. A perceived location, therefore, could be three football fields away from their actual location, resulting in delayed response time and worsened injuries.

If you’re convinced a cell phone is not enough in the event of an accident, get in touch with Around the Clock Medical Alarms. They’re proud to provide simple personal help buttons that your loved one can wear as a bracelet or necklace, on their person, so they can get help any time. To learn more about their life-saving design, visit the website. You can also call (877) 449-5566 to learn more about their Emergency Medical Dispatch Certified Response Center.