Should I need a home security alarm?

My mother is living alone and  as a daughter it is my duty to secure her by all means. I have hired a new medical alert pendant  for her recently. Do I need to install a separate home security alarm for her?  Even though both serve different purposes their basic objective is almost same that is to inform others in case of a danger. Do I need to spend extra money on that? What do you think?

ChristieLeblanc said:

My mother is living alone and  as a daughter it is my duty to secure her by all means. I have hired a new medical alert pendant  for her recently. Do I need to install a separate home security alarm for her?  Even though both serve different purposes their basic objective is almost same that is to inform others in case of a danger. Do I need to spend extra money on that? What do you think?

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There are no guarantees or promises that come with a security system and I think that you should do what allows you to sleep well at night. Do what your conscience tells you.
 
Mike.

ChristieLeblanc said:

My mother is living alone and  as a daughter it is my duty to secure her by all means. I have hired a new medical alert pendant  for her recently. Do I need to install a separate home security alarm for her?  Even though both serve different purposes their basic objective is almost same that is to inform others in case of a danger. Do I need to spend extra money on that? What do you think?

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Yes, it is still best to install a home alarm system for an added protection. Home alarm system provides a better home security and family safety, while giving you a peace of mind. It's a great investment especially that you're mother is living alone.

Do any home alarm central stations offer medical monitoring?  I always see these separate companies that do medical monitoring and it just makes me wonder why home alarm monitoring companies are not providing this service.  The home alarm system and a wireless pendant is more than capable of doing the same thing.

My take is that a home security system just would give you peace of mind that nobody else entered your home when you were away. Also, the ability to alert the fire department to a fire when no one is home is also a big advantage.  Will it totally prevent a break in?, probably not, but it certainly could reduce the chance of one. 
 
There are a few companies that do both medical and security, but they seem to use proprietary hardware and have rather expensive monthly fees.  A security system doesn't need to be monitored, but for fire monitoring, it could be handy and even lower your insurance rates.

ano said:

There are a few companies that do both medical and security, but they seem to use proprietary hardware and have rather expensive monthly fees.  A security system doesn't need to be monitored, but for fire monitoring, it could be handy and even lower your insurance rates.

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Any burg system can report the "I've fallen" alarms, either via keypad or add on module(s) or even hardwired button(s). The largest reason why alarm companies don't want to is liabilities involved, both for the installing company and the CS. Usually the CS is legally off the hook by default in their agreement or limited liability clause, but the alarm company needs to be very careful in the verbiage of the service they are providing or installing. For example, a big blue national got sued and in very big trouble back in the day in regards to their panic buttons on their keypads. They marketed their keypad "panic" buttons as emergency or medical and/or fire alarm, besides the normal police panic button. A few lawsuits where people pressed the "aux" as typically designated, panic button and not receiving medical specific response (ambulances, etc.) automatically, it's how the waivers of liability started coming out. Same happened for the manual fire "panic" on the keypad, some would not enable, period, unless there was a fire device installed on the system because people were under the impression (probably through creative lawyering) that they had a full blown fire alarm installed instead of the glamorized equivalent of a pull station connected to a dialer.
 
PERS is a huge market and not all CS or alarm companies want to assume the liability to provide these services. The "proprietary" look of a lot of these products have to do with the need to install TWA in addition to a host system.
 
That said, and being in the industry, I was always curious as to how a lot of these "I've fallen" vendors got around not installing (or did they actually?) an RJ-31X and line seizure. I know in installing systems, there were many instances where it was almost impossible to obtain line seizure, or the entire place needed to be partially rewired.

There is nothing bad in getting an additional home security alarm system for your mother’s place. It’s all about taking extra measures for the one you care and love. It will give you peace of mind, as you know everything is safe and sound back at home. Rest is your call and what your conscious advises you.

Security Alarm Benefits
Most would say that the biggest benefit of having a home security alarm is the peace-of-mind that comes with it. When something goes wrong (whether you are home or thousands of miles away on vacation), knowing that a system is already in place and that your house has a direct link to the proper authorities is very reassuring.
There may be immediate monetary benefits, as well. Having a security alarm that is connected to a monitoring service can offset the cost by sometimes lowering homeowner's insurance payments up to 20%. Many monitoring services will also offer a plan to monitor your home for fire, which some insurance companies will also take into account when deducing your premium. In every case, it will decrease the likelihood of losing money due to burglary.
Increase your Home's Resale Value
Along with presenting a clean home, there are many improvements that can be made to a property that will increase its resale value. Adding on a garage, finishing a basement, and remodeling a kitchen, while all good ideas, can be rather costly endeavors. Landscaping a yard for security, installing a home security alarm, and putting in outdoor lighting are much less expensive projects. Despite the lower initial cost, prospective buyers still look upon these kinds of home improvements as important additions to the property they are viewing.