CRC Partners with Better Alerts to Monitor Mobile PERS Devices

Cooperative Response Center, Inc. (CRC) announces it has recently partnered with Better Alerts in West Conshohocken, Penn., to monitor its mobile personal emergency response systems (mPERS).

The state-of-the-art Better Alerts mPERS product uses a combination of text and email alerts as well as global positioning system (GPS) to offer caregivers and their loved ones flexibility and independence. Technology that has been traditionally limited to a landline phone is now available with a user’s smart phone service. Using a PebbleTM Smart Watch, a free Better Alerts Android app on a smart phone and a subscription to Better Alerts web service allows loved ones to remain independent and seek help when needed. The subscriber can contact up to 10 non-emergency caregivers with the touch of a button. If emergency services are required, CRC’s alarm monitoring center will be notified via a secondary button press, verify the alarm and, if necessary, notify the appropriate emergency agency.

CRC will serve as Better Alerts’ exclusive monitoring center for the innovative product. CRC’s alarm monitoring center is Underwriters Laboratories (UL)-certified as well as a Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) Five Diamond Certified central station, a designation less than 25 percent of the central stations in the United States has achieved. When an individual falls or presses the designated alert button on his or her Pebble watch, CRC will receive the alarm and contact the subscriber for more information. CRC will then, if necessary, notify the appropriate emergency agency immediately.

The system was designed to be used for an Android smart phone operating system and uses cutting edge mapping software that delivers a pinpoint location of the device to non-emergency caregivers and CRC. The Android-engineered application and Pebble watch are paired via Bluetooth connection and can detect if the subscriber has fallen or if they’ve left a customizable boundary area outside of their home, whereby caregivers will be notified. An iOS version of the app will be available soon.

“We’re pleased to partner with Better Alerts to offer a service beneficial to so many individuals,” said Chris Holt, CRC’s president and CEO. “This device offers the flexibility to move beyond the limitations of a landline-based device to pursue interests outside the home while giving users and their loved ones the peace of mind of knowing help is there if needed.”

“We looked at a number of emergency response call centers and chose to partner with CRC because of their world class customer service putting their members first,” said Doug Hopkins, founder and president of BetterAlerts.com. “CRC’s tireless efforts working with our project managers and development team help create the best mPERS solution in the market.”

About CRC

CRC is a nationwide, cooperatively owned and operated, 24/7 contact center and alarm monitoring center. Founded in 1992, CRC has steadily increased the size and scope of its operation with offices in Austin, Minn., Dunlap, Tenn., and Abilene, Texas. CRC serves nearly 380 members and associate members in 44 states, representing over 6.2 million consumers. Visit CRC on the web at www.crc.coop.

About Better Alerts

The Better Alerts team has over 20 years of experience in the medical alert industry. We have learned that seniors are more active than ever and want to maintain their independence. The Better Alerts System is changing the medical alert industry by using a combination of 21st century technologies. They consist of a Pebble™ Smart Watch, the Better Alerts free Android or iOS App for your smart phone and a subscription to Better Alerts web service available through the checkout process on our website. We use configurable alerts to the Pebble Smart Watch using a combination of text and email alerts with GPS location sent to emergency contacts (up to 10) and a phone call to the primary caregiver. www.BetterAlerts.com