MCA LifeLink - To Remain Independent at Home

Return to MCA LifeLink Page

Answer:  A trained MCA installer will install the unit in your home.

Question:  Is anything special required in my home?

Answer:  You need to have a telephone line and phone in your home.  The MCA LifeLink unit will utilize the same jack.  It is helpful to have a phone jack somewhere centrally located in your home so that the speaker-phone feature will work throughout your home or apartment.  The MCA LifeLink unit also requires 110v. power.

Question:  How will I be billed for the equipment, lease and monitoring charges?

Answer:  MCA requires that you provide the initial equipment cost (if purchased), your first lease payment (if leased), the installation fee, and your first monitoring payment at time of installation.  Future lease and monitoring payments may be made by check or credit card monthly or quarterly.  Autopayment by credit card is available.

Question:  What features does the MCA LifeLink unit have?

Answer:  The MCA LifeLink unit has a number of features which can be programmed to meet your individual needs:

• The unit can be used as a standard telephone, and has speed-dial buttons which can be programmed to call frequently used numbers.
• The unit has speaker phone capability.
• A reset button on the unit can be programmed so that it must be reset by a certain time each day.  If not reset, the device will sound a reminder alarm.  If the button is still not reset, the unit will dial its list of emergency numbers.
• If the resident presses the button on their neck pendent, or if an optional remote emergency button is pressed (such as in the bathroom), the unit will dial its programmed emergency numbers in order.
• When answering an emergency call, the person's relative or neighbor can talk with the person via speakerphone.
• If no one answers on the programmed emergency list (or if answering machines are reached), the unit will then dial MCA's emergency call center (if you have signed up for monitoring services).  Help is then dispatched if necessary.

Question:  Why is MCA the best emergency call center for monitoring?

Answer:  Using MCA's emergency call center for monitoring eliminates a wasted step in the response process.  If your monitoring center is out of the area or out-of-state, the monitoring center must call MCA to dispatch a paramedic ambulance to your home.  This wastes important minutes.  If you use MCA's call center for monitoring, an EMS unit will be dispatched immediately, without delay.  MCA monitoring costs are also lower than national call centers.

Question:  I already have a PERS device (such as Lifeline).  Can I switch my monitoring to MCA's emergency call center?

Answer:  Yes you can.  Please contact us for information on making the switch.

Question:  Tell me more about MCA.

Answer:  Monroe Community Ambulance is a nonprofit, charitable organization which provides emergency medical service and other health care services in the following Michigan counties:  Calhoun, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne.  MCA is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services.  MCA is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees comprised of community leaders.