How Does A Key Lockbox Work With Medical Alert Systems?

Last Updated on July 20, 2021

Key lockboxes work hand in hand with medical alert systems by allowing first responders like fire fighters, the police or emergency services personnel to reach and help the elderly patient who have issued the alarm call. When first responders are given the security combination to the lockbox by medical monitoring dispatchers, they can gain entry into the elderly patient’s home without breaking down doors.

Here is a look at how a lockbox arrangement would work with various types of medical alarm systems as far as conveying the security combination code to first responders. For more background information on keys storage boxes and the product’s relevance to emergency response system users, please check out this article: A Key Lockbox Alongside Personal Emergency Response Systems – Is It A Necessary Accessory?

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Monitored Medical Alert

For standard home medical alert systems with monitoring, the lock-box combination is safe-guarded by the monitoring center and shared with first responders and EMTs as needed, to allow them access into the home to assist the elderly user. Additional information like the location of the lockbox may also be saved on file and relayed to first responders by the monitoring center representative.

Since it is a home-based emergency call system, it is assumed that the alarm is coming from the home address of the user. A word of advice – if the elderly moves to live at another place where the medical system is operating, be sure to contact the medical alert company to update the address on file.

A more in-depth explanation about the benefits of key lockboxes can be found here.

Mobile Alert Systems

For users with mobile medical alert systems that work both in the home and far away, the monitoring representative will confirm with the elderly user on their physical location. If the system has GPS, the technology will help to confirm the location. If the user’s location is confirmed to be at his/her home, the monitoring representative will dispatch first responders to the location if needed. The representative will share with them the user’s lockbox combination, and other relevant information such as the location of the lockbox (if it’s on file), so that the first responders can enter the home and assist the user.

Non-Monitored Emergency Call Systems

For non-monitored medical alert systems that connects the elderly user directly with 911, the key lockbox combination code and location placement need to be conveyed directly to the 911 operator by the elderly user. Alternatively, if it is a system that dials a custom contact list, the lockbox combination can be conveyed beforehand to the user’s custom contacts. One of the contacts can also make a 911 call and let the operator know the combination code and the location of the key lockbox.

Lockbox Offers

Medical Guardian is currently offering a free key lockbox to Medical Alert Systems HQ readers when you purchase an annual plan subscription. They are a popular provider of standard and mobile medical alert systems, and automatic fall alert system. If you are interested, visit this link for additional info, or call 1-800-311-6142.

LifeFone also offers a free lock box with a quarterly or annual subscription plan. For more information please visit their website here or call 1-877-352-1292.

Looking to purchase one outright? Lock boxes are a good investment at around $25 to $30. Click Here to see the Master Lock 5400D Select Access Key Storage Box and other best-rated lockboxes with online discounts.

Disclosure: We may receive referral compensation for purchases made (see details).

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Sandra Cheng

Founder at Medical Alert Systems HQ

Sandra Cheng is our resident expert on medical alert products and founder of Medical Alert Systems HQ. She has been researching medical alert systems since 2011. You can watch videos of her evaluating and testing different medical alert systems here. Over the years, her writing has helped over 6,000 seniors pick the best system to match their needs. Her goal is to empower each and every interested Medical Alert Systems HQ reader to make a choice that fits them or their parents well. More...