Does My Loved One Need a Personal Emergency Response System?
Ancillary services, such as a personal emergency response system, complement other health care services doctors offer to their patients. Many people are confused by the term and often ask, “Does my loved one need any ancillary services?” It’s essential first to understand what ancillary services entail before you decide whether your loved one will benefit from it.
Types of Services
Top health care professionals like doctors and nurses are quite busy nowadays as the demand for health care continues to outgrow supply. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the US will face a shortage of about 122,000 physicians by 2032.
Meanwhile, other types of health care services are evolving into specialty functions. Of course, specialists focus on that realm of health care. These specialists now provide useful services, which are invaluable for patients during and after treatment.
The specialists allow patients to live their everyday lives successfully through various products and services, including:
- Ambulance services
- Personal emergency response systems
- Laboratory services
- Rehabilitation (inpatient and outpatient)
- Private duty nursing
- Personal care assistance
In general, ancillary medical services incorporate specialized diagnostic services and a variety of supportive therapies.
Does My Loved One Need Ancillary Services? What To Keep in Mind
Ancillary services provide essential diagnostic tools to make the life of your loved one easier. If you find yourself asking, “Does my loved one need ancillary services?” consider what the patient needs to figure out the type of services that will be beneficial.
PERSONAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEMS
Has your senior family member ever fallen? Have they ever become disoriented or lost? Have they ever had a negative reaction to medications when you weren’t available? If so, your loved one may benefit from HomeCentris’ HealthLink, a personal emergency response system which connects directly to an emergency call center. There, 
trained technicians can help your family member with their emergency, notify emergency resources, and even pinpoint their location with an embedded GPS device.
DIAGNOSTIC ANCILLARY SERVICES
In the past, you would get an order for tests and images for an accurate diagnosis. You would then travel to a different facility such as a laboratory to get these services, and your doctor would wait for the results. At this time, your loved one would still be waiting for further instructions for days or weeks. Today, you can do all this on the spot.
THERAPEUTIC ANCILLARY SERVICES
If your loved one is recovering from a physical injury or ailment, therapy is essential to enhance the quality of life. Ancillary services usually provide both physical and occupational therapies. If your loved one has a fall-related injury or complains of back pain, a massage therapist or chiropractor will offer quick relief.
CUSTODIAL ANCILLARY SERVICES
These are designed to provide urgent treatment after an unexpected incident. The health care providers use durable medical equipment to ensure patients receive treatment promptly during emergencies.
Learn More at HomeCentris
A doctor often sends you to a locally-based physical therapist. However, others might send you to a specialist further away if the patient needs advanced diagnosis and treatment.
The reason for this is because patients benefit significantly from a comprehensive and focused treatment approach. Doctors mainly aim to offer personalized treatment, but they also try to cut costs. In other words, you’ll get to save a lot of money while your loved one receives the best health care services.
The additional medical services your loved one will receive will translate to shorter wait times and better consistency in health care. You’ll also enjoy the convenience of appointment scheduling. Furthermore, the utilization of supportive therapies and focused support services enhance overall treatment.
On a final note, don’t speculate, “Does my loved one need ancillary services?” Think about the importance of empowering your loved ones. Encourage them to find the best health care providers, especially if they’re suffering from a chronic illness or injury. Call us today at 410-486-5330 to learn more about our ancillary services.