These days, around 38% of households in the United States have a home security system. 

Companies like Vivint, ADT, and Brinks offer professionally installed systems that come with 24/7 private monitoring in case of an emergency…

But the hefty start-up fees and monthly subscription rates that often come with these services can take their toll on the budget.

To avoid unwanted financial stress, many savvy-shopping Americans are turning to self-monitored security systems like Ring, Cove, Simplisafe, and others.

These contract and subscription-free services are an excellent fit for the caregiver who wants to keep a watchful eye out for an elderly loved one without breaking the bank.

But there’s just one problem…

What Happens When You’re Not at Home?

Self-monitoring systems not only require a healthy level of vigilance, but they also create a hole in your safety plan. 

If you’re out of town and something goes wrong at home, calling 911 isn’t an option. 

911 is a local service, so if you’re in a neighboring city or out of state, you’ll only be able to connect to that area’s emergency dispatch center.

When lives are on the line and every second counts, it’s too late to come up with a solution on the fly.

For the safety of the loved ones under your care, it’s crucial to have a plan for getting help at home in case the worst should happen while you’re gone.

Here are some helpful tips to ensure all your caregiving bases are covered when you’re away from home.

Enlist a Friendly Neighbor’s Help

It may sound old-fashioned, but it works! 

If you don’t live near close friends or family members, having a friendly neighbor’s help is the next best thing.

If you have a good relationship with one of your neighbors, you can keep them up to speed on your senior’s health situation, tell them your travel plans, and ask them to check up on your loved one periodically while you’re gone.

During your time away from home, your neighbor can serve as your emergency contact. 

So, if you’re watching the live security feed and your loved one has a bad fall, you can reach out to them to call 911 for you.

Knowing someone is on standby and checking in regularly can give you some much-needed peace of mind until you return home.

Create a Network

If you have family and friends close by, don’t be afraid to ask them for help.

Building a network that can step in for you while you’re gone can relieve some of the burden of stress that comes with caregiving.

Having multiple people check up on your loved one also minimizes the responsibility of each caregiver, making everyone’s contribution much easier to uphold.

Throughout your trip, you’ll receive updates on your loved one from several different people. 

Combine that with the knowledge that you’ll have multiple emergency contacts in case something goes wrong, and you’ll be able to enjoy a deeper sense of comfort.

Dispatch Help to Your Home From Anywhere With Rescu

The methods we just covered can certainly help you feel secure and provide a certain level of safety for your loved one…

But they both depend solely on the availability of others. 

Unfortunately, life happens. And if your loved one has an accident, there could be a significant delay before you can ensure that help is on the way.

Your neighbor may be mowing the lawn when you call to tell them what happened, or the first family member you try to reach may be out getting groceries. 

In the time it takes to call your emergency contact, inform them of the situation, and have them call emergency services for you, several critical minutes will have passed.

By the time emergency services finally arrive, it could be too late.

If you’re one of the millions of Americans with a self-monitored security system, the Rescu app is your one-way ticket to peace of mind.

Emergency Response in Just Two Taps

Rescu turns your smartphone into a mobile medical alert system, allowing you to send fire, medical, or police services to pre-registered addresses – like you or a loved one’s home – in just two taps.

It cuts out the middleman, instantly dispatching emergency services as soon as you send an alert, saving crucial seconds in a crisis. 

By putting the power back in your hands, Rescu takes your self-monitored security system to new levels of safety. 

Imagine being able to travel anywhere in the world, knowing that as long as you have a network connection, you can send help to you or a loved one’s home immediately.

Rescu gives you that security and confidence – without any costly start-up fees or lengthy contracts.

Click below to download today and upgrade your family protection plan starting at just $7 a month.

And stay tuned for updates on our upcoming Rescu Prime subscription coming this summer, which turns your smartphone into a GPS medical alert system!