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economist suntribunedecember 26 1989 p45 elderly people thrive on security system kathleen harris correspondent the problem many elderly and disabled persons living alone are faced with is being in an emergency situation and being unable to reach or dial the telephone to call for help harry rubinoff president of homelink response systems inc believes he has the solution to this problem targeted primarily at elderly or disabled subscribers the homelink emergency response system pro mises to help when seconds count the homelink subscriber wears a lightweight pendant around the neck which can also be easily adapted for installation on a wheelchair or bed as soon as the alarm button on the pen dant is pressed a signal is sent to an electronic communications box which is hooked onto the subscribers telephone line the alarm will set off an automatic dialing to the homelink monitoring centre wwch is professionally staffed by operators 24 hours a day 365 days a year the homelink operator has im mediate access on a computer screen to the subscriber s vital statistics including home ad dress and medical history as well as the name and phone number of a relative friend or neighbor who lives close by the subscriber tells the operator specifically what type of help is required by means of a sensitive twoway speaker located in the elderly or disabled persons home rubinoff informs that the range of this sensitive speaker is quite great usually voice con tact can be made throughout a normal onefloor apartment pro viding all the doors are open he says if the subscriber lives in a largerhome extra speaker units may be purchased to place in other rooms throughout the home for added security once the operator has deter mined exactly what type of help is neededhe or she immediately places a call to either medical emergency services or local police or both to come to the per sons aid the operator will also call the designated friend relative or neighbor to notify them of the emergency so that they can be with toe subscriber as soon as possible if there is no voice communica tion between the homelink operator and the subscriber after the alarm has sounded the operator will assume that there is an emergency and will contact both the police and medical assistance to come immediately rubinoff notes that the system also offers false alarm protection to prevent unwarranted emergency services he claims you can press a button to stop an alarm that is set off accidentally or you can simply use the speaker to cancel your emergen cy call an optional lack of activity monitor feature is one which is exclusive to the homelink response system rubinoff describes this feature as a monitor which may be set at six- 12- or 24hour intervals if the monitor detects a lack of activity an alert will sound at the monitoring centre and they will investigate the situation rubinoff claims that the homehnk emergency response system has proven reliability sudsct eurot launched the expansion into the canadian market and is now working on sales in the york regiontoronto area in addition to london ont and plans to move throughout canada from here rubinoff notes that while the majority of homelink subscribers are elderly or disabl ed persons the system is suitable for any person who feels uneasy about being alone he says it gives valuable peace of mind in the case of any type of emergen cy whether it be an accident an illness or a breakin the homelink emergency response system sells for 700 including delivery installation and training on how to use the unit there is also a monthly 25 fee for maintenance and service if you would like more informa tion or a demonstration on the homelink response system you may call harry or helen rubinoff at 7648187 come and find some great boxing week buys at market village upto 50 off free gift every purchase over 10000 elegant ladies designer fashions market village 4372 steeles ave east at kennedy 4740265 market vhmg hwy7 m steeles 5 1 ymgc located at kennedy steeles beside cullen gouhtry barns boxing day sale 2 days wed thurs up to 70 off wrmwm garden room fashions we ap an attitude hot an age esprit calvin kmn ferry ellis hollywood jeans mi8fefewtes tbt sboppes of st andrews vulafje mortxt village kennedy xd and sthirs are in mebam r