What is a Responder?

A Responder is usually a friend or family member living fairly close by. They are the person(s) we would call if the subscriber needed someone to go over to their residence and help them. They push the RESET button on the unit when they arrive. This sends a signal to the monitoring staff and they contact the Responder to determine the status of the subscriber. If an ambulance is required it is dispatched by the monitoring staff.

What is Lifeline's 24 hour monitoring service?

24 hour monitoring is just that. The monitoring staff are on duty 24 hours a day, for 365 days per year.

How does Lifeline follow-up with a subscriber if the button is pushed?

The following protocol is followed when the subscriber has pushed their PHB. The signal goes immediately into the monitoring center equipment. A sharp sounding ALARM alerts that a call is coming in. Staff responds immediately using a special type of communicating equipment to talk directly to the subscriber through the Lifeline unit speaker. The information regarding the subscriber automatically appears on the adjacent computer, so the staff knows who are the Responders to call, the major medical or identified conditions of the subscriber, and the ambulance to call if required etc.

If the subscriber requests an ambulance as soon as the monitor answers, or it is quite evident they need one right away, the Staff will dispatch the ambulance and call a Responder to go over and be there when the ambulance arrives. The Responder should then press the RESET on the unit when they arrive , this indicates to the staff they are there. If no Responder is available, the ambulance crews are aware they should push the Reset, so again the Staff is aware they have arrived.

if an ambulance is dispatched to a residence, the normal ambulance fee will be billed by BC Ambulance.

Is Lifeline complicated to use?

Lifeline is not complicated. The installer demonstrates the equipment, instructing the subscriber on what to do, and has them push the PHB, sending a call to the monitoring staff to see how everything works.