When someone you care about wants to keep living independently, it helps to know support is available when they need it. Their VRI personal emergency response system (PERS) is one part of that support.
But a PERS isn’t only about the person wearing the device. Family members, friends, neighbors, and other trusted responders can also play an important role.
Here’s what caregivers and responders should know about PERS, including how VRI’s service works and what to expect if you’re asked to help.
What is a personal emergency response system?
A PERS gives a member a simple way to connect with trained support when they need help.
VRI offers in-home, mobile, and wearable PERS options. At the touch of a button, a member can connect with a VRI Care Center representative. VRI’s PERS program provides assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the goal of helping members remain safe and independent at home. Some devices also offer features such as fall detection and GPS.
PERS can provide support during emergencies, including falls and urgent safety situations. Members can also use the service when they need non-emergency assistance.
For caregivers, that means the member you care for has another way to reach trained support when you’re not there.
What happens when a member needs help?
The exact response depends on the situation and the member’s response plan.
When a member presses the help button, they can connect with VRI’s Care Center. The Care Center can determine what help is needed and follow the member’s response plan. Depending on the situation, that may include contacting a responder like you or emergency services.
Some VRI devices also include fall detection. These devices are designed to detect certain movements associated with a fall and automatically contact the Care Center. However, fall detection isn’t perfect. If a member falls and can press the help button, they should always do so rather than wait for the device to detect the fall.
What is a responder?
A responder is someone the member trusts who may be contacted as part of their response plan.
A responder might be an adult child, another relative, a friend, or a neighbor. The important thing is that the person understands what being a responder means and knows what to do if VRI calls.
Being listed as a responder doesn’t mean you have to be available every minute of every day. If VRI contacts you and you can’t help at that time, say so. The Care Center can contact another responder listed in the member’s response plan.
What should I do if VRI calls me?
If you’re a responder and receive a call from VRI, start by telling the Care Center whether you’re able to help.
If you can respond:
- Tell the Care Center you can help
- Share your estimated time of arrival, or ETA
- Go to the member as soon as you can
If you can’t respond, tell the Care Center. VRI will contact another responder according to the member’s response plan.
You don’t need to guess what happened or determine what the member needs before you arrive. Listen to the information the Care Center provides and follow the next steps you’re given.
What should I do when I arrive?
Once you reach the member, let the Care Center know you’re there.
Press the member’s help button or use the base unit to contact the Care Center. Then stay with the member until they’re safe.
If you believe emergency services or other help is needed, tell the Care Center.
This communication is important because it helps everyone involved understand what is happening and what help may still be needed.
Why does my contact information matter?
A response plan is most useful when the information in it is current.
Contact the VRI Care Center if your phone number changes, you move, you’re no longer able to respond, or you no longer want to serve as a responder. VRI may also ask you from time to time to confirm that your contact information is correct.
It’s a small task that can make the response plan easier to follow when the member needs help.
How can caregivers help members get the most from PERS?
You don’t need to take over the member’s safety routine. A few practical steps can help support their independence:
- Know where the member keeps their help button, or how they wear it
- Understand the basic features of their PERS device
- Make sure the member knows to press the button when they need help
- If you’re a responder, know what to expect when the Care Center calls
- Keep your phone number and other responder information current
- Talk with the member about their response plan before an emergency happens
- Encourage the member to wear their device as directed
If the device includes automatic fall detection, remember that the feature can’t detect every fall. The member should press the help button after a fall whenever they’re able.
PERS supports independence and connection
Supporting someone who lives independently doesn’t mean you can or should be with them all the time.
PERS can add another layer of support by giving the member access to the VRI Care Center when they need assistance. For caregivers and responders, understanding how the system works can also make it easier to know what to do when you’re called upon to help.
The goal isn’t to replace caregivers or the member’s independence. It’s to help connect the member with the right support when it’s needed.
Want to learn more about VRI PERS?
Explore VRI’s PERS options and learn how they help support members and the people who care about them.
