Personal Emergency Response Services: Do the Benefits Justify the Cost in Seniors Housing and Care Properties?

Telephone-activated personal emergency response services (PERS) were developed 30 years ago so persons experiencing adverse events could summon assistance. Little evidence exists, however, associating PERS use with improved outcomes. With growing PERS use within continuing care retirement communities, it is important to tie usage to residents' needs. The authors present data from research at Baylor College of Medicine comparing event rates, well-being scores, and sense of security between cohorts of older persons with and without PERS. Results from retrospective studies in the U.S. and Canada comparing hospitalization experience with PERS use guided an IRE-approved, randomized controlled trial of PERS use with one year of telephone follow-up. Outcome variables included frequency of health care use, functional levels measured by SF-36 scores, and self-reported sense of security. Retrospective data revealed reduced hospitalization rates among PERS users. Prospective findings revealed slight increases in emergency department use and significant increases in sensed security and SF -36 vitality and mental health component scores. PERS is most useful when relieving a sense of insecurity, and making improvements in mental well-being are indicated. Expanding PERS use among a burgeoning older population should be tailored to changes in physical and psychosocial indicators that warrant environmental prescriptions for such services, especially in long-term care settings.