Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does it work?

2. Why choose Vital-Link

3. What risk factors make one a good candidate for Vital-Link Services?

4. What products do you offer for those with special needs?

5. Do I have to sign a long term commitment?

6. What if the front door is locked?

7. What if I can't respond, or the monitoring center can't hear me?

8. Can I take the pendant with me into the shower or bath?

9. Will the unit work in a power outage?

10. Will I be alerted if the unit gets unplugged?

11. How will I know if the unit is malfunctioning?

12. What is the range of the pendant?

13. What is the leading cause of injuries to seniors?

14. Is the Vital-Link unit portable?

15. Will your emergency response unit work with my VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) broadband phone system?

16. Will the system work with DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)?

If you have any further questions, feel free to Contact us:

(510) 644-2779 / (800)752-5522

Why Choose Vital-Link?

Vital-link is one of the nations largest independent emergency response companies.  We are a family owned business that has faithfully served the senior community for twenty years.  When you call us, you will be talking to a a real person, not to someone's voicemail.  Our CEO, Arthur Hoffman, is readily available to answer your questions and handle your concerns..  You will not be transferred from department to department.  You will get answers to your questions promptly.

Vital-Link offers these benefits to loved one:

• Decreased anxiety living alone

• Reduces dependence on others

• Enhances well being and quality of life

• Easy to summon help, just push a button

• Psychological boost by maintaining control

Vital-Link delivers these benefits to caregivers:

• We are there for you when you can't be 24 hours a day

• We save you time away from your work

• Reduce your anxiety of not being there for your loved one

• You have a communication dispatcher link between you and your loved one at all times

• Intervention is quick minimizing complications from accidents

• Vital-Link is low cost and is available as a month to month service

Back to: Frequently Asked Questions

What risk factors make one a good candidate for Vital-Link Services?

• Lives alone or left alone for extended periods by caregiver

• Uses mobility assisted devices (walkers, canes, crutches, wheelchairs)

• Functional limitations in performing two or more ADL (activities of daily living)

• Unsafe neighborhood, or patient feels unsafe at home

• Home safety hazards which are not correctable, or expense considerations

• More than 75 years of age

• Sensory deficits (vision, hearing)

• History of falls

• Hospitalization within last 12 months

• Physically frail

• History of medication management problems

• Cognitive deficit

Back to: Frequently Asked Questions

What products do you offer for those with special needs?

• Puff Transmitter - For those who lack hand or arm use

• Strobe Light - For those who are deaf  or severely hearing impaired 

Back to: Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to sign a long term commitment?

No.  We understand that situations change, so we don't want you locked into a longer term commitment.  As long as you are a continuous subscriber to Vital-Link, we will not increase your monthly rate.

Back to: Frequently Asked Questions

What if the front door is locked?

There are a few different options.  First, you can give the key to a relative, neighbor, or friend, who we would call in case of an emergency to open the door.  Second, Bay Area Vital Link can set you up with a lockbox for your key.  In case of an emergency, the EMS, fire department, or police, would be told the combination to get the key for your door.  

Back to: Frequently Asked Questions

What if I can't respond, or the monitoring center can't hear me?

If the monitoring center gets no response, they will assume it is an emergency and take the appropriate action.

Back to: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the pendant with me into the shower or bath?

Yes, the pendant is waterproof, although we don't recommend you go swimming with it.

Back to: Frequently Asked Questions

Will the unit work in a power outage?

Yes.  The unit has a built in rechargeable battery which lasts for approximately sixteen hours.

Back to: Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be alerted if the unit gets unplugged?

If the unit gets unplugged from the electric outlet, a signal will be sent to the monitoring center and they will notify the client to plug the unit back in.

Back to: Frequently Asked Questions

How will I know if the unit is malfunctioning?

The lights on the unit will blink if the unit is having problem. We also recommend that the client run a test every month to make sure it is working properly.

Back to: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the range of the pendant?

The pendant has a range which allows you to push the button in and around the home.  The signal can travel through walls and windows.  It is important to test the range of the pendant, as it varies in different locations.

Back to: Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Vital-Link unit portable?

The Vital-Link unit is portable.  You can take it with you if you move or if you go for an extended visit.  Be sure to let us know before your move so we can update you information.  Click here to fill out a new monitoring sheet.

Back to: Frequently Asked Questions

Will your emergency response unit work with my VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) broadband phone system?

While VOIP broadband phone systems are gaining in popularity, they are not always compatible with emergency response systems.

We do not recommend use of a medical alert device on VoIP phone lines.

An alarm system is designed to send its signals over an analog (standard) phone line. To transmit emergency signals properly using VOIP (broadband) the signal must be converted. It is during this conversion that problems develop. Signals can arrive at the medical alarm monitoring station with errors or not at all.

A medical alarm typically comes equipped with a backup power supply in the event of a power failure. Because traditional phone lines will still work even if your power is out, your medical alarm monitoring station can still receive the proper signals if you press your button for help. With VOIP, your phone service may not operate during a power failure, preventing any kind of signal transmission from your alarm to the medical alarm service provider.

VOIP services tend to be more prone to technical issues and dropped calls. Your medical alarm may be communicating vital data to your monitoring station and a dropped call will obviously interfere with this. Or, your alarm’s signal may go through without a problem on one attempt, but will fail on another for no reason. It is important to understand the risks if you choose to use an emergency response system with VOIP.

Back to: Frequently Asked Questions

Will the system work with DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)?

We have tested our equipment many times and in many different locations and we have received the signals. The two way voice component however may become unreliable. We have had very good experience with our new equipment which has a built in DSL filter. Vital-Link also offers a Non-Voice unit as an option. Since the Vital-Link Non-Voice unit does not utilize a microphone, we have not yet experienced unreliability with the function of this equipment for DSL subscribers. Another option is to use a phone line that doesn’t have DSL on it. In any case it is important to let us know if you have DSL or any broadband service so we can better serve your needs.

Back to: Frequently Asked Questions