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Technology has resulted in a number of convenient, easy to use devices that give elderly individuals a quick way to reach help in the case of an emergency. The most familiar of these is a small, lightweight device with a single button that immediately sends an alarm to a help center when pressed.
While a number of reputable companies produce these lifesaving devices, a recent news story reminds us that families with loved ones receiving senior help in Oceanside should always research elderly care products carefully and only buy from established, reliable sources.
Here is the cautionary tale: Medical Alert Buyers Alliance Corp is a company based in Maryland that produces an emergency alert device for seniors. Customers purchase a one-year service plan along with the device, allowing them to contact a central response center in the event of an emergency. As with other similar services, a representative would then notify local emergency personnel and give them the location of the senior in need of help.
After receiving several reports of the devices failing to bring help to seniors who had fallen or who needed emergency help, the Maryland attorney general’s office investigated the situation and charged the company and its owner with defrauding its customers. According to the filed paperwork, Medical Alert Buyers Alliance Corp stopped providing services without warning or notification after incurring debts that made continued business impossible. This breach of contract resulted in some very dangerous situations, as elderly people depending on the alert device were forced to wait hours in an injured condition before emergency personnel arrived on the scene through other means.
Worse yet, it appears that the company continued to bill customers and impose unauthorized credit card charges even after the provision of service ended. If these charges are proven, they represent a clear example of preying on elderly customers for profit.
The company is no longer allowed to sell devices, and it will remain closed for business until the case is brought to court. While justice will hopefully be served in this instance and no further damage will be done, it is critical for family members and providers of senior help in Oceanside to protect the elderly from predatory schemes and unreliable help in the first place. When making a decision about a safety devices, always read plenty of customer reviews, investigate the history and reputation of the company, and never place cost considerations above the safety of your loved ones.
See: Medical alert company accused of taking advantage of elderly
