Of the many great things about our country, one of them is that emergency help is always available. All you have to do is pick up the phone and dial three numbers. Seniors are in need of emergency help more often than the rest of the population, so this is an issue of great concern to them.

Millions of seniors have used 911 over the years to summon help in the event of a medical or other kind of emergency. It is a very effective system — operators whose only role is to dispatch help when necessary are standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

However, the 911 system is not perfect. Sometimes operators are inundated with calls and you might have to wait to reach someone. Sometimes you do not have time to wait. City police and ambulance services are also very busy, so it might take a bit of time before help arrives.

This is where a medical alert system performs better for emergency help. Just like 911, an operator is always ready to help you. But your alert monitor does not have to deal with the volume of calls a 911 operator has to, so there will be virtually no wait. And while most 911 operators have some level of medical training, the monitors for medical alert providers have even more training.

Also, when you call 911, you are a stranger to them. Your medical alert monitor will have your name and all of your medical information when you call. They will also have contact information for your family and friends. That is very reassuring in the event of an emergency.

The downside, of course, is that while 911 is free, you have to pay to have a medical alert system. But isn’t it worth spending a couple of dollars a day to ensure that your emergency help will be there when you need it?