TeleAlarm, an emergency response systems monitoring provider from Reading, Pa., announced late last week that it was acquiring the SafetyCare monitoring center.

SafetyCare incorporates life-safety monitoring with health monitoring, specializing in a market that has had growing popularity among the aging baby-boomer population. The systems from the companies monitor emergency and distress signals from safety healthcare monitoring systems, which operate wirelessly and are usually worn on the wrist as a bracelet, allowing seniors and those with health needs to be able to push a button and alert their healthcare provider immediately. The systems are primarily used at assisted-living facilities; with the SafetyCare acquisition, the facility is given a back-up monitoring option to go to SafetyCare's 24-7-staffed monitoring center, which can alert responders in the event that caregivers are not available.

As part of the acquisition TeleAlarm will be changing its name to SafetyCare. To handle the acquisition, TeleAlarm is in the process of undergoing a $2 million renovation of a facility in Reading, Pa., where it will be able to add the addition technology and manpower to accomodate the SafetyCare monitoring services.

"We are pleased to be acquiring the assets of SafetyCare, as it is only one of a few companies globally incorporating life-safety monitoring with other health and wellness services," said Mike Bodnar, a TeleAlarm executive who has been named general manager of SafetyCare, based in Reading, Pa.

More information:

www.safetycare.us