Guardian Maximum Achievement Awards Celebrate Medical Alert Employees

From our annual banquet celebrating all of our employee of the month winners from the previous year.

CLICK HERE for more photos.

Medical Alert Employees Honored at Annual Ceremony

Guardian Medical Monitoring employees were awarded at the annual "Maximum Achievement" banquet on May 9th at the Knollwood Country Club in West Bloomfield Township, MI. Videos of each winner were shown to the audience, and we've compiled them here:

VIDEO: Employee of the Month Announcement

August Employee of the Month Teri Modica

Our Guardian Maximum Achievement Award recognizes the best employees from all of the Guardian Security companies, including Guardian Alarm, Guardian Medical Monitoring, and Guardian Guard Services.

Teri Modica was selected as the Maximum Achievement winner for August of 2014. Teri works with our scheduling and administration team.

 

She was also one of the very first Maximum Achievement winners when the program was started back in 1995. Here is a photograph of the plaque hanging in the lobby of our headquarters in Southfield, MI.

Teri will be celebrating 40 years of employment with Guardian and we thank her for all of her hard work and dedication. She is photographed here with General Manager David Crawford.

 

Medical Pendants Not Just For Medical Emergencies

Your medical alert pendant is not just for medical emergencies. Case in point, a customer in Tennessee pressed her pendant when she was stuck in her backyard while sitting in her power chair. Without her cell phone or anyone around to help, she was trapped! When we didn’t get a response over her two-way medical alarm base unit or home phone, we dispatched EMS to her home.

 
She contacted us later to apologize since her incident was not what she considered an emergency. Her son had even told her that it was not a good idea to use her pendant unless it was a true medical emergency. We assured her that Guardian Medical Monitoring is here to help 24-7 and that she should test her button on a regular basis. Regardless of whether or not it was an emergency, she was so glad that she had her pendant around her neck. The takeaway from her story is to always wear your medical alert pendant and don’t be afraid to use it!

We are so fortunate to have wonderful employees like Debbie!

"I want to thank you for saving my life!"

This is a transcription of an actual customer call.

 

“I called in to thank you for your outstanding service. I fell out of bed and broke my back. I was so afraid, and was screaming for help but no one could hear me. Then I remembered I had my button on and pressed it and you were on the speaker with me instantly. If it weren’t for (Guardian Medical Monitoring), I would have died and I wouldn’t be having this conversation. I apologize for waiting so long to call you, but I have been at my daughter’s recovering from back surgery. I want to thank you for saving my life!” Peggie S. – Trinidad, CO

To get your own lifesaving medical alarm pendant, visit our website today.

Medical Alarm Customer Loves Our Customer Care Representatives

Guardian "Employee of the Month" Winners

Senior Myth Busters!

MYTH:  Older Adults Resist New Technology

FACT:    Evidence of technological advances are unescapable. Whether using a smartphone, an e-reader, or a computerized kiosk required for flight check-in or a medical appointment, using technology is required for many everyday functions. Yet many misconceptions exist regarding older adults’ use of technology.  Specifically, many believe that older adults are not interested in using technology; the use of technology by older adults provokes anxiety and elicits poor attitudes; and, finally that older adults are simply unable to learn new technologies. Research findings paint a very different picture.

While it’s true that older adults report using technology less than younger cohorts, adults over the age of 60 are the fastest growing segment of internet users. Many express concern about identity theft or a loss of actual human connection when using technology for activities such as personal finance management or making purchases online. However, personal relevance and value seem to outweigh concerns as older adults report use of a variety of technological devices in their everyday lives to make life easier, to allow them to be more efficient, and for communication purposes.

Several studies have examined the ability of older adults’ to learn new technology.  Findings suggest that younger individuals may be able to acquire hi-tech skills quicker; however, the differences are marginal. It appears that with equal levels of prior experience, older adults learn just as quickly.  In cases with unequal experience levels, older adults are able to develop the same skills and perform just as well as their younger counterparts with training.  Studies suggest that older adults may learn better when they are able to study at their own pace and have interaction with trainers. With regard to anxiety about using technology, younger individuals reported similar levels of anxiety as older adults when learning about a new technological device or software.
Even older adults with functional limitations are taking advantage of new technologies which promote independence and self-management.  For example, assistive technologies such as devices that promote better sight, canes that assist with balance and gait, as well as amplification devices to aid in hearing are already on the market.  In severe cases, technological assistive devices may prevent the need for home-based health care and even nursing home placement for older adults.

Therefore, in a time where people are living longer, choosing to work longer, and maintain autonomy and independence by aging in their own homes, older adults’ use of technology will likely continue to expand. Thus, given what we now know about older adults’ abilities to learn new technologies as well as their interests and attitudes, this demographic should not be depicted as technology resistant.  On the contrary, older adults offer technology developers opportunity-they are the leading consumer base over the next two decades!  
                      
From the Florida Council on Aging, who would like to thank Kathy Hyer, PhD; Kelly M. Smith and the Policy Exchange Center at USF,  for this Myth-Information submission.

Guardian Personal Trainer

One of the great perks of working at Guardian is having access to an on-site gym and personal trainer. This week marks the one year anniversary of having Nick Eckardt, our personal trainer on board. Classes are held three times a week and are open to the entire company.  Six women have been going consistently for a year and have made some impressive progress! We want to congratulate Brittany Prisbylla, Liese Pletcher, Wendy Yan, Kim DeMarco, Jennifer Osebold and Jen Bowin for all of your hard work and dedication this year! Keep it up!

Personal trainer Nick Eckardt

(L to R) Wendy Yan, Kim DeMarco, Brittany Prisbylla and Liese Pletcher

"You have literally saved my life three times!"

This actual customer call shows the importance of medical alarms for seniors. For more info call 1-877-HELP-CALL or visit our website.

Guardian Medical Monitoring now offering PERS that allow seniors to go anywhere!

Go anywhere with the Guardian Mobile PERS, which is designed to break through the confines of traditional home-bound monitoring. This Personal Emergency Response System is equipped with two-way automated hands free communication from virtually anywhere via cellular networks.  The device connects directly to the monitoring center for instant assistance whenever and wherever needed. The Guardian Mobile PERS includes GPS locating and adaptive, multi-sensor fall detection that alerts the monitoring center when your client cannot.



For more information call 1-877-435-7225 or visit our website!

Cellular Medical Alarms Eliminate Need For Land Lines

No landline?
No problem!

Our Cellular Medical Alarms is the perfect solution for those without a landline, or thinking of getting rid of their traditional landline. With the simple push of a button, a caring, well-trained Care Representative will immediately answer the call and stay on the phone with you until help arrives, whether it’s an ambulance, family member, friend, or neighbor. GSM cellular connectivity eliminates the need for a traditional land line telephone. Remain independent in your home, even if you do not have a land line!

For more info visit Guardian Medical Monitoring's website or call 1-888-349-2400.

Jennifer Osebold Employee of the Month Presentation, November 2013

Medical Alarm Customer Praises Guardian Medical Monitoring

Delores Gibbons - Senior Care Specialist
 

Guardian Medical Monitoring has medical alarm customers throughout North America. These life saving devices can be shipped directly to those who can install the units themselves.

 

Guardian also has a dedicated team of Senior Care Specialists, who install the devices for customers and demonstrate how to use them properly. Here's one comment about a Guardian Senior Care Specialist in Florida:

 

“Thank you for keeping me safe. Delores (Gibbons) was very efficient, friendly and confident.” Barbara M. – Tamarac, FL

 

For more information call Guardian Medical Monitoring at 1-877-HELP-CALL or visit www.guardianmedicalmonitoring.com.

 

Senior Care Specialists are key to Guardian's success

Dana Fichlie, Senior Care Specialist

Guardian Medical Monitoring has a number of Senior Care Specialists who install medical devices and instruct users on how to properly operate them. Dana Fichlie is one of Guardian's most popular Senior Care Specialists. She joined the Guardian team due to her love of working with people, especially seniors. Here are a few recent customer comments Guardian has received about her:

 

“Very nice and explained (everything) very well. Thanks.” Betty Y. – Milan, IN

“Dana was very helpful in explaining everything and answering questions.” Lisa F. – Orleans, IN

“Dana was very patient with me. She went above what is expected.” Mary F. – Madison, IN

 

For more information about Guardian call 1-877-HELP-CALL or visit www.guardianmedicalmonitoring.com.

Guardian Employees Collect Christmas Gifts for Needy Families and Seniors

 

Guardian Employee of the Month: October 2013

Melissa House was selected as the Guardian Maximum Achievement Winner from over 1,100 employees at Guardian's three companies (Guardian Alarm, Guardian Guard, and Guardian Medical Monitoring). Melissa has worked in our Medical Monitoring division since 2001 and has always done a fantastic job! It's a well deserved honor! Thank you, Melissa.

For more information about Guardian Medical Monitoring, visit our website htttp://www.guardianmedicalmonitoring.com or call 1-888-349-2400.

Tell Your Michigan State Reps to Vote NO on Senate Bill 636

The Michigan House may vote as soon as TUESDAY on legislation to phase out landline telephone service within three years. 

Please call 1-888-232-6829 to urge your State Representative to vote NO on Senate Bill 636!

 

• Do you or someone in your family use a landline for medical monitoring of a pacemaker, implantable cardiac defibrillator, medical alert or other life saving device?
• Do you have a home security system that relies on a landline service?
• Do you know what you or your loved ones would do to communicate without a landline when the power goes out?

Don't eliminate landline phone service!

Call 1-888-232-6829 today.

Urge Your State Representative to Vote NO on Senate Bill 636!

 

Telephone service is a basic necessity, particularly for older adults, who are more likely than any other age group to rely on their landlines not only for social contact, but to preserve health and safety. In a recent unscientific opinion poll of 1300 AARP members and others, 85% of respondents told us they currently have a landline service, and 97% are opposed to SB 636.

Now is the time to fight to ensure that AARP members and all Michigan families have reliable, affordable telephone service they can count on, especially during extreme weather or other emergencies.

Senate Bill 636 puts reliable phone service at risk for all Michigan consumers. AARP embraces the use of new technology. But when it comes to replacing reliable, affordable landline service, any new technology must be as good or better than the current service, and wireless service in particular does not currently meet that standard. Despite changes made by the Senate to improve the bill somewhat last week, SB 636 would still leave consumers - and particularly seniors - at risk.

Please call 1-888-232-6829 and urge your State Representative to vote no on Senate Bill 636!