Reliable battery backup ensures senior alert devices remain operational during power outages providing uninterrupted protection and peace of mind.
Power Outage Protection: Battery Backup Options for Alert Systems
Senior alert devices, also known as medical alert systems or personal emergency response systems (PERS), are crucial tools for maintaining the safety of elderly individuals. Additionally, these devices provide a lifeline in emergencies, allowing seniors to quickly call for help with the push of a button. However, their reliability hinges on consistent power, making battery backup a non-negotiable feature.
Some of the battery backup options include internal rechargeable batteries, external UPS systems, and cellular backup to keep the device functional. Selecting the right backup solution is key to maintaining uninterrupted protection and peace of mind for seniors and their families.
This blog discusses the top battery backup options for senior alert devices.
Importance of Battery Backup for Medical Equipment
Power outages, whether due to storms, accidents, or routine maintenance, can render medical alert devices for seniors useless if they lack adequate reserve. For seniors who rely on these devices for immediate assistance in falls, medical emergencies, or other critical situations, a power failure can be life-threatening.
A reliable battery backup ensures that the device remains operational, providing continuous protection and peace of mind for both seniors and their loved ones.
Options for Standby Battery for Senior Alert Systems
During power outages, senior alert devices must have backup power sources to enable their functionality throughout the period. Here are the most relevant backup options and their pros and cons.
Internal Rechargeable Batteries
Most senior alert systems are equipped with proprietary base units that come with built-in rechargeable batteries. Such batteries include lithium-ion batteries and alkaline batteries which serve as an internal backup power source for the device once the primary power source is cut off, and they charge automatically when the device is plugged into a power source.
Advantages
- Permits No Additional Complexity Problem: No extra components to manage are needed because the battery is integrated within the device.
- Automatic charging: Users do not have to remember to manually charge the device as the system does that for them. Modern rechargeable batteries do not require a whole lot of care to provide backup for several years.
Considerations
Device usage dictates that the internal battery backup is less than stellar, a few hours or a day at most, some devices may easily exceed.
- Degrade Over Time: As expected, the rechargeable batteries need replacing if the backup duration becomes insufficient.
- Limited Capability: Most internal batteries have a battery backup surge protector period that ranges from 24 to 72 hours.
Back-up Power Sources with Battery
A UPS serves as a power backup for medical alert devices in case the primary source of electricity goes out. Most of these systems plug into the base unit of the senior alert apparatus.
Benefits
- Extended Duration: More power can be stored in these backup systems so their duration extends beyond the internal battery back-up time.
- Surge Protection: A number of these UPS units are automatically equipped with surge protectors so they are not negatively impacted by electric fluctuations.
- Batteries that can be Hot-Changed: Certain models of UPS units allow for non-disruptive battery change so the system remains on while the battery is being swapped out.
Considerations
- Added Expense: A UPS unit brings along further costs to the senior medical alert devices
- Spatial Constraints: The devices take up more physical space and therefore might not be suitable for smaller living spaces.
- Equipment Maintenance: Recently charged UPS batteries require replacement after a while and the system may need some form of maintenance.
Cellular Back-Up
Most modern alert systems for seniors utilize a cell phone connection as either the main or backup means of communication, keeping the senior medical alert systems functioning when landline telephones or a WiFi network is down.
Advantages
- Autonomous From Landline: Cellular backup guarantees that even if a senior’s landline is out of commission, emergency help can still be rendered.
- Mobile Coverage: These systems are reliable in many places, due to the wide coverage offered by cellular networks.
- Built-in Battery: Most cellular-enabled senior alert devices are designed with rechargeable batteries, helping them sustain functionality during a power outage.
- Cellular Signal Strength: How useful a cellular backup is, depends on how strong the mobile network is in a particular area.
- Monthly Fees: Typically, cellular-based alert systems incur a monthly subscription fee for network services.
- Battery Life: While they do have rechargeable batteries, the backup duration differs, meaning users may need to recharge them often.
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Generator Backup (For Whole Home Power)
A whole-house generator acts as a backup power supply for a house during power outages. It allows for the simultaneous usage of multiple electrical appliances including the senior alert device.
Advantages
- Comprehensive Backup: Unlike a single device, a generator can power multiple devices such as lights, refrigerators, and other medical equipment alongside the senior alert device.
- Prolonged Duration: Given an adequate fuel supply, a generator can function autonomously for several days.
- Automatic Start: A substantial number of modern generators are equipped with automatic features that allow them to switch on freeze-frame style when there’s a blackout, thus avoiding loss of power.
Cautions
- Expensive: Alongside other features, full Generators of horsepower tend to take quite a chunk of money from the owner.
- Permit Procedures: A unit might not operate on its own owing to prior locally set regulations, requiring a permit to set up, as well as professional help to set up the circuitry.
- Check-up Routines: Different users have various means and schedules for maintaining a generator. For some, it results in a fuel check, or oil change, and for other clients simply a round of clean and look.
- Supply of Energy: In the provided scenarios, clients have to service their supply of energy stand (propane, natural gas, diesel) before attempting to use it for extended outages.
Key Features to Consider for Battery Backup
Before exploring various battery backup selections, it’s crucial to focus on some basic characteristics that one should keep in mind while picking a battery for a senior alert device:
Extended Battery Life
Having long-lasting power is important so that the device can be used throughout the day without needing to be charged or replaced frequently.
Rechargeable vs. Disposable Batteries
While rechargeable batteries are easy to maintain, they may require replacement after a few years. On the contrary, disposable batteries must be replaced more frequently but have a longer lifespan.
Low Battery Alerts
Modern devices come with low-battery alerts, which means the user is notified in advance and has a chance to recharge or replace the battery on time.
Wireless Charging Benefits
While traveling or engaged in daily activities, portable charging options can assist seniors in keeping their devices powered.
Power Outage Backup
Evaluate the backup duration requirement according to the power outage duration and frequency in your region. Think about the senior’s medical conditions and potential need for assistance over a long period.
Backups Without Spending More
Always check the device battery capacity as well as any external backup options. Higher capacity batteries provide longer backup power.
Faster Device
Evaluate the recharge time of the batteries. Faster recharge times make sure the device is immediately prepared after a power outage.
Inquire About Battery
Inquire about the expected lifespan of the batteries. Always opt for devices that have durable lasting batteries.
Ease of Use
Opt for a device that has simple battery management instructions. Ensure that the senior can easily operate and comprehend the system.
Important Notifications
Try and find devices that monitor and notify you when the battery is low or there is a power disruption. Having remote monitoring abilities can also be an added advantage.
Device Network
Ensure there is sufficient cellular coverage at the senior’s location to make the device with cellular backup more reliable.
Cost
Make sure to review the pricing of the device along with any backup solutions it may have. Analyze the associated costs against the level of protection needed along with any additional features.
Professional Installation
Establish whether professional guidance is required, especially for UPS or generator systems. Complete installation for the highest level of safety and efficiency.
Testing
Check that the battery backup system is fully functional regularly. Perform routine tests on how the device works during a blackout.
Wrap Up
Functional senior alert devices are useful even when there is no power supplied, which is made possible by a reliable battery backup. Options such as internal batteries, UPS systems, cellular backup, and generators have pros and cons. Moreover, internal batteries and UPS are short-term strategies with low costs, while cellular backup and generators are more reliable over a longer period.
When considering a battery backup option, analyze battery life, user-friendliness, and needed emergency alerts, and perform regular tests to optimize output. With the correct choice, seniors will have constant support in case of an emergency, which adds comfort for families.
Reliable Backup for Senior Safety from MedAlert Care
Reliable battery backup is essential for keeping medical alert devices operational during power outages. Medalertcare.com offers expert insights on the best backup options, from rechargeable batteries to UPS systems and generators. Stay informed and ensure uninterrupted protection for seniors with our latest updates and recommendations.
FAQ's
Lithium-ion and sealed lead-acid batteries are the best choices due to their reliability, long lifespan, and rechargeable capability.
Costs vary: UPS systems range from $50 to $300, while whole-home generators can exceed $2,000 with installation.
Common types include lithium-ion, alkaline, nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), and sealed lead-acid batteries, depending on the device’s needs.
