What ensures the operational safety of the signaling service provided to the elderly?

There are numerous signaling systems in circulation in our country, operated by municipalities, churches, and civil service providers for the supervision of the elderly. With this service, we can ensure the safety of our elderly loved ones even if they live far away from us. We are often reluctant to subject our elderly loved ones, who require care, to the emotional strain of moving to a nursing home. However, if 24-hour supervision is needed, there is often no other solution. The signaling technology used in elderly care precisely resolves this dilemma. Elderly individuals in need of supervision do not have to leave their familiar environment; they can remain independent because both the dispatch center and the family are immediately alerted through the signaling device if there is any threat to their safety.

But what guarantees operational safety for the elderly with regard to signaling services?

We consider airplanes to be safe means of transportation because it is mandatory for pilots to inspect and thus ensure the proper operational safety of the aircraft's systems before each takeoff. The performance of these checks is also stored by the onboard recorder unit (black box).

In the case of elderly care, operational safety is equally important, which entails the continuous monitoring of the operation of the signaling service. This includes the remote monitoring of the current status of the signaling devices, automated testing of the communication network's operation, and the continuous technical monitoring of the server and software of the control station operating the dispatch center.

The current Hungarian and European Union directives and standards clearly define the technical and operational requirements for signaling devices and monitoring systems, which apply to both manufacturers and service providers. More detailed information about the regulations for emergency call systems is available on the Hungarian Standards Institution website:

MSZ EN 50134-1:2002 – Alarm systems. Emergency call systems. System requirements

MSZ EN 50134-2:2018 – Alarm systems. Emergency call systems. Signaling devices

MSZ EN 50134-3:2013 – Alarm systems. Emergency call systems. Local unit and control

MSZ EN 50134-5:2021 – Alarm systems. Emergency call systems. Connections and communication

MSZ EN 50134-7:2017 – Alarm systems. Emergency call systems. Application guidelines

MSZ CLC/TS 50134-9:2022 – Alarm systems. Emergency call systems. IP communication protocol

This spring, the Ministry of Human Resources launched a welfare service within the framework of the Caring Watch program, which is currently provided by 4iG Nyrt., one of the leading Hungarian-owned companies in the domestic information and communication technology sector. The Caring Watch program is based on a nationwide signaling system. Its task is to enable elderly people living in their own homes to contact their designated emergency contact person through a simple device, who can provide immediate and quick support and solutions in case of emergency. (Forrás: www.gondosora.hu)

Elderly individuals aged 65 and over can obtain a signaling device and monitoring service free of charge through the Caring Watch program. However, they have minimal information and rights regarding the functionality and individual settings of the device compared to a paid service. While we consider the Caring Watch program to be a very good initiative, it lacks transparency for users in terms of operation and privacy rights. The signaling device is a product of a well-known Chinese manufacturer, Eview. The Chinese developers have prepared the device for many functionalities, but the development of an IT background service for operating the monitoring system is also necessary, which complies with the current EU data protection directives and takes into account the unique needs and privacy rights of elderly people using the signaling device.

Many companies, including MOHAnet, also market this modern device, but due to the consideration of the aforementioned unique needs and privacy rights, MOHAnet has expanded the software of the signaling device and sells it under the name S.O.S. Pager to differentiate between devices. S.O.S. Pager users thus have the opportunity to use functions that are not supported or only partially supported by the Caring Watch program's signaling service.

Let's examine the differences between the signaling systems operated by MOHAnet (S.O.S. Pager) and 4iG (Caring Watch program) through a few practical examples! For comparison, we based our analysis on the software settings of the signaling device registered in the Caring Watch program, which we extracted using the device's factory parameterization software.

1. Monitoring the Charge Level of the Alert Device

If the charge level of the S.O.S. Pager device drops below 20%, it notifies the user in Hungarian. If the user does not charge the device, and the charge level drops to 10%, the device again verbally reminds the user to charge it and notifies the dispatch center. If no confirmation of charging is received within a few minutes, the dispatch center contacts the user and verbally instructs them to charge the device. Confirmation of charging concludes the action initiated by the dispatch. The correct connection to the charger is confirmed by a voice message from the device.

In the case of the Gondosóra program, the user can manually check the current charge level of the device by pressing a small button on the side. However, the device also confirms the correct connection to the charger with a voice message. Regularly checking the battery status becomes the responsibility of the elderly user, as the device does not automatically indicate the minimum charge level. Monitoring the operational safety of the alert device is currently not part of the Gondosóra service, so checking the device's charge is solely the responsibility of the elderly user.

2. Continuous Monitoring of the Technical Condition of the Alert Device

Both the Gondosóra program and the S.O.S. Pager have set up continuous monitoring of communication between the dispatch center and the elderly person's device, referred to as life signal monitoring. During life signal monitoring, the current technical condition of the alert device, such as signal strength and battery charge level, is monitored. By default, life signals are received from the device every 5 minutes, allowing continuous monitoring of technical changes in the device. However, processing this significant amount of data requires automated information processing. In the case of the S.O.S. Pager, involved parties are automatically notified if the dispatch center detects a missed life signal or significant signal strength decrease during operation. The Gondosóra program also has up-to-date information on the current signal strength and battery charge level of the GSM-based alert device, but there is no automatic notification or feedback from the dispatch center to the relatives or the elderly person if abnormal operating parameters are detected.

3. Monitoring Device Activity

There is the possibility to monitor the activity (movement) of the device, which correlates with the user's daily routine activities. In the case of the S.O.S. Pager, if the activity deviates from the trend or is absent, the dispatch service is immediately notified, and subsequently, the relatives as well. Through interval monitoring rules created in the remote monitoring software, activity monitoring can be automated. However, this service is currently unavailable in the Gondosóra program, although the device is capable of it.

4. Remote Parameterization of the Device

There is the possibility to remotely modify all settings of the device and update its software, provided that the service provider has developed the necessary remote parameterization software. Remote programming is fully implemented in the case of the S.O.S. Pager. However, the configuration of the device's operating parameters and rules is always set after consultation with the client, according to the contract. Thanks to remote programming, the operating parameters and rules can be modified easily at the user's request. In contrast, the Gondosóra program alert device theoretically can be called at any time based on the settings, as it does not store authorized phone numbers. However, in practice, it cannot be called from various phone numbers because the SIM card service in the device limits it.

5. GPS-Based Outdoor Movement Tracking

The alert device can transmit GPS coordinates during life signal transmissions. By default, life signals include not only the current technical status (signal strength, battery charge) but also the device's current location. Tracking movement and location is an optional service in the case of the S.O.S. Pager, which can be requested on a continuous or occasional basis (during emergencies). With the MonitoringBook Home mobile application, the route taken with the device can be tracked on a map. Position sending can also be operated with position transmission disabled as required. In the Gondosóra program, continuous transmission of GPS coordinates is part of the service, ensuring that the provider always has access to the device's current location.

6. Area Exit Monitoring

The alert device can monitor area exits, but this service is currently unavailable in the Gondosóra program. In the case of the S.O.S. Pager, the area known and deemed safe for the elderly person can be remotely set. If the person exits this area, the device sends an alert to the dispatch service, and both caregivers and relatives receive notifications through the mobile application.

7. Beacon-Based Indoor Movement Tracking

The alert device can perform Bluetooth Beacon-based indoor movement tracking, but this service is currently unavailable in the Gondosóra program. When the S.O.S. Pager device enters the range of a Bluetooth Beacon, it sends a notification to the dispatch service. This zone-based location determination is often used in nursing homes, allowing tracking of movements within the building. If multiple Beacons are deployed simultaneously within the building, zones can be created for different rooms using the Beacons.

8. Fall and Impact Detection

The alert device can detect falls and impacts and transmit GPS coordinates to signal them. In the case of the S.O.S. Pager, caregivers and relatives can view the location of the alert on a map using the MonitoringBook Home mobile application. However, the mobile application is currently unavailable for caregivers and relatives in the Gondosóra program.

9. Privacy Function (Protection Against Eavesdropping)

The dispatch center receiving the alert can call the user for reasons other than the alarm state. In such cases, the call must be preceded by audible ringing. Call pickup is automatic for both alert devices, preceded by 4 rings. In the case of the S.O.S. Pager, there is also the option to set a privacy state function, allowing the dispatch center to initiate calls only in justified cases, such as low battery, emergency, impact, fall, or area exit. In the Gondosóra program, anyone can call the alert device at any time if their phone number is among those enabled for SIM service.

10. Remote Monitoring Application

In the case of the S.O.S. Pager, there is the option to display individual alerts in a mobile application. The MonitoringBook Home mobile application, running on smartphones of caregivers or relatives, displays all event alerts from the device, including signal strength, battery charge, current location, route taken (based on GPS coordinates), various alarm signals, and other messages. However, the Gondosóra program currently lacks a remote monitoring application providing full transparency of the alert system's operation, which would enable more effective intervention and control in operations.

MOHAnet has been developing, manufacturing, and distributing emergency signaling and call assistance devices, as well as high-security remote monitoring systems for over 15 years. Thanks to its operational experience over the past 15 years and positive feedback from customers, it can be said that over 80 domestic remote monitoring service providers use MOHAnet's complex system to ensure stable provision of various remote monitoring services.

For the operator of the Gondosóra program or anyone else considering operating a similar remote monitoring system, it may be interesting to explore a well-established, complex remote monitoring system and the high-security infrastructure behind it. Feel free to contact us for a long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation.