New security system responds to emergencies faster

When it comes to senior communities just how important is it to keep residents safe?  Most will say it's a top priority.   

The elderly are at high risk for emergencies.  That’s why a local senior community just upgraded its security system.

The Atrium of the Grand Valley is going wireless.

Manager Eugene Geurink says, "The old system was 18-years-old and the updated systems are so much better."

The whole point of improving safety technology is to provide help faster.

Now when residents push the button on their transmitter, an alarm goes off and the phone rings. Staff will know exactly who's in trouble and where they're at.

"So many of us, as we get older we loose our balance and we fall and we don't know where we're going to fall,” one resident said.  “We need someone to come and take care of us and help us get up."

"If they're found quickly we can actually minimize their time for recovery and they can get back to an independent life style," Geurink explained.

It’s a safety improvement The Atrium has been working to get for nearly a year.  It’s not something that's required, but managers know fires have broken out at other facilities in recent months.  They’re hoping this will keep everyone safe.

"Our E-call system also works with the smoke alarms in their apartments. If someone has a smoke alarm go off, it notifies us immediately," Geurink said.

Every resident at The Atrium has a wireless transmitter.  They're used just for emergencies.