Lifeline

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Morris Hospital is pleased to connect members of the community with Lifeline, a medical  alert system that enables individuals to live independently and with peace of mind. The program has been offered by Morris Hospital since 1985 and has served thousands of individuals – providing everything from lifesaving help, to assistance from a fall, to a comforting phone conversation. Since the units are purchased by the Morris Hospital Foundation, subscribers who contract through Morris Hospital are able to receive the best rates around, with maintenance service provided free of charge by Morris Hospital staff and volunteers.

To speak with a Morris Hospital representative about Lifeline, please call 815-705-7251.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Here are answers to some of the frequently asked questions about Lifeline:

Lifeline CarePartner© Communicators are small and simple to use. Our CarePartner Telephone Communicator has large buttons, a high-volume speaker and VoiceAssist – a friendly, reassuring voice that guides you in the use of the phone.

Who is Lifeline?

For over 20 years, Lifeline has been North America’s leading personal response service. Lifeline has helped over 4 million people just like you make their personal declaration of independence.

Our goal is to give you the confidence to continue to live independently in your own home – doing things for yourself. We do this by ensuring that you know whenever you need help, it’s just a button push way.

To call for help, you simply press the Personal Help Button you wear as a pendant or on a wristband. The Personal Help Button activates a small in-home communicator that automatically dials the Lifeline Response Center. Within seconds, your call will be answered by one of our caring, highly trained operators (we call them Lifeline Monitors). You will never be asked to talk to a machine. You might be calling to tell us you have a minor problem that only requires a neighbor to stop by – or you may need an ambulance.

Whatever you need, we will respond quickly. All your important information is immediately available to the Monitor answering your call, so the type of help you need is quickly determined – and we make sure you get it.

We want you to make frequent check-in calls. Press your Personal Help Button just to say hello and let us know how you’re doing or to make sure your Lifeline equipment is working properly. We recommend you contact us at least once a month. In fact, most of our incoming calls aren’t emergencies.

Our communicators have a highly sensitive speakerphone that lets the Monitor speak to you, even if you can’t get to the phone. And, if you press your Personal Help Button but cannot speak, your Lifeline Monitor will quickly send help.

Who benefits from the lifeline personal response system?

Lifeline offers you and your loved ones peace of mind, independence, early intervention and reassurance.

Would i be giving up my independence by subscribing to lifeline?

No. In fact, a recent clinical study proved that Lifeline users were 10 times less likely to need a long-term care facility like a nursing home than people who didn’t use Lifeline. Lifeline actually helps you preserve your independence by giving you the confidence to continue to live where you want to – in your own home – enjoying a lifetime of memories. You’re always in complete control. You press your Personal Help Button when you need assistance. You tell us who you want us to call if you need help.

I am fine on my own. Why would I want lifeline?

Lifeline is like insurance. You may never need it, but if you do you’ll be glad you have it. It’s reassuring to know that if you have a sudden illness or injury, help will be on the way in a matter of minutes even if you can’t move or speak.

Even if someone checks in on your regularly, you are left unprotected at times. You could fall and be unable to get help for over 24 hours. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that people found within one hour of a fall are five times more likely to survive than those who remain helpless for over 72 hours.

How much does the service cost?

It’s surprisingly affordable. You don’t have to buy anything or make a long-term commitment. When you subscribe to Lifeline through Morris Hospital, you pay a low, one-time installation charge of $40 and a low monthly fee of $30 for the basic service. The monthly fee is the same, no matter how often you call, or how long you talk.  Additional products available at additional cost.

Who answers the monitors if I call?

Should you need emergency assistance, you will be connected with professionals from Lifeline. They’re deeply caring, highly trained professionals. Their only job is to answer your call and ensure that you receive the attention you deserve and the help you need. The installation of the Lifeline unit, billing, and home visits for equipment maintenance is all handled by representatives from Morris Hospital.

Is Lifeline complicated to use?

It’s simpler than using a telephone. All you have to do is press your Personal Help Button. The communicator dials the Lifeline Response Center. Within seconds you’re talking with a Monitor who immediately has all of your important information displayed on a screen.

What is the next step if I decide to subscribe?

It begins with your call to Morris Hospital, 815-705-7251. Knowledgeable representatives are waiting to discuss your special needs and answer your questions about Lifeline. Within a few days, a representative from Morris Hospital will visit you to explain the service and demonstrate the equipment. The representative will also locate the best site for the communicator and install it. The Morris Hospital Home Service Representative won’t leave until you have practiced using your Personal Help Button to call the Lifeline Response Center and you feel comfortable using the service.

Is there a lot of equipment involved?

No. There are just two pieces of equipment: Your Personal Help Button worn as a pendant or on a wristband and the communicator.

Do I have to be in the same room as the communicator for it to work?

No. You can be in another room, on a different floor or even outside in your yard – your signal will still be received. Your Personal Help Button is completely waterproof (not just “water-resistant”), so you should wear it in the shower or bath where many falls occur.

How can I be sure the equipment is working?

Our equipment is reliable. In the unlikely event that you should have a problem that the Monitor can’t correct over the phone, we will do whatever is necessary to immediately solve the problem. We encourage you to press your Personal Help Button at least once a month just to let you know that we’re available.

What if I am not able to call for help?

The Lifeline with AutoAlert is another option. It is the first medical alert pendant that can call for help even when you can’t. Multiple sensors helps detect falls and can detect when a person cannot get up from a fall on their own.