This blog post has been updated November 5th, 2025.
The way your personal emergency response system is monitored is extremely important, and is something to think about before choosing an personal emergency system. Read on to find out the differences between a self-monitored and a professionally monitored system!
Self-Monitored Medical Alarm Systems
When the emergency button on the base unit or pendant is activated on a self-monitored device the unit automatically calls or texts the user’s emergency contact or contacts. This emergency contact then needs to determine the best course of action to take, which may be assisting the user themselves or contacting emergency services if the user is in serious danger. These systems typically use a SIM card, which you must activate and make sure there is sufficient credit on at all times.
When you’re thinking of purchasing a self-monitored system, it is necessary to consider the dangers to these types of systems. Although you can program multiple emergency contacts into the unit, if these contacts were travelling, out of mobile range, or simply have their phone on silent, they wouldn’t be able to answer a potentially life saving call or text. These self-monitored systems don’t automatically test that the communication paths are working, meaning a malfunction could occur and will remain unnoticed until the user presses the emergency button and the device does not function as expected.
Luckily, these issues can be resolved by using a professionally monitored alarm system. We regularly have users transition from a self-monitored to a professionally monitored system after they experienced an incident that endangered them through the failings of self-monitoring, such as emergency contacts not responding to the alarm activation or SIM cards running out of credit.
Professionally Monitored Medical Alarm Systems
When using a professionally monitored system, pressing the emergency button notifies the monitoring centre APERS Care Team that the user is in danger. One of our specially trained Care Team members then calls the user through the Base Unit, allowing them to assess and understand the user’s situation, then respond as necessary, by either calling a designated emergency contact, or if required, notifying emergency services.
The Care Team also manages the devices SIM card, so you can rest assured that help is available and accessible when you need it most. Additionally, the device automatically sends regular test report to the monitoring centre APERS Care Team to confirm the communication paths are working effectively, monitors the mains power and tests the battery, ensuring they have sufficient charge. If an issue is detected, the Care Team will proactively follow up to resolve it.
The APERS Care Team operates 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, meaning there’s always a professional waiting to help you in your time of need. The monitoring centre has multiple power supplies, generators and communication paths, ensuring complete redundancy and seamless service if for any unforeseen reason these systems were to be disturbed. The Care Team also has all information that may be needed if emergency services were to attend a situation.
Still don’t know which system is the one for you? Give our Care Team a call on 1300 852 148 or contact us for more information!
