Innovative Medical Alert System Uses GPS and Cellular Technology

A new cellular and global positioning system (GPS)-enabled mobile personal emergency response system (M-PERS) helps locate and assist senior citizens and those with special medical needs.

The MobileHelp system offers round-the-clock medical and emergency monitoring services with real-time notification capabilities through the use of a GPS and cellular-enabled help button. When subscribers need help, they simply press their help button and connect via two-way voice communication to a central monitoring station that is live year round. By the end of 2009, the new technology should also allow family members to check the location of their loved ones over the internet and receive notification via mobile phone and email of their location. The MobileHelp system is a service of Medical Mobile Monitoring (Boca Raton, FL, USA), which also offers ClassicHelp, a traditional in-home medical alert system.

"MobileHelp addresses many of the limitations that exist with traditional medical alert systems currently on the market, namely the problem of the current technology only working in the home. With our system, individuals are no longer confined to their homes, and will have help when and where they need it, with our anywhere help button,” said Elias Janetis, founder and CEO of Medical Mobile Monitoring. "Statistics show that 40% of fall-related injuries happen outside the home and only MobileHelp will have someone covered in these instances.”

The Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that is made up of three parts: between 24 and 32 satellites in medium earth orbit, four control and monitoring stations on Earth, and the actual navigation devices users own. GPS satellites broadcast signals from space that GPS receivers use to provide three-dimensional location (latitude, longitude, and altitude) plus the time. GPS has become a mainstay of transportation systems worldwide, providing navigation for aviation, ground, and maritime operations. Disaster relief and emergency services depend upon GPS for location and timing capabilities in their life-saving missions.

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Medical Mobile Monitoring