The Future of mPERS Isn't Emergency Response — It's Continuous Care
For decades, the PERS industry has focused on one objective: responding as quickly as possible after an emergency.
That mission has saved countless lives, and it will always remain the foundation of what we do.
But I believe we’ve approached an inflection point.
There’s a saying that has shaped my thinking about the future of our industry: the best emergency is the one that never happens.
If connected technology can identify risks earlier, encourage healthier daily habits, strengthen communication between seniors and caregivers, and provide meaningful insights before a crisis develops, then we’ve accomplished something far greater than simply responding quickly after an emergency.
Connected devices, artificial intelligence, and cloud-based services are making that vision possible. Instead of waiting for someone to press a button after a fall or medical event, mPERS can become an active participant in helping seniors remain healthy, engaged, and independent every day.
From Emergency Response to Continuous Care
Historically, mPERS has been event driven.
- A fall occurs.
- A button is pressed.
- Help is dispatched.
That model isn’t wrong—it simply isn’t enough anymore.
Every day, connected devices generate information that can paint a much richer picture of a person’s well-being. Activity levels, mobility, location patterns, device interactions, and caregiver engagement all contribute to understanding how someone is doing over time.
A single day of reduced activity may not mean much.
A steady activity decline over several weeks, combined with fewer trips outside the home, may tell a very different story.
The opportunity isn’t simply collecting more data. It’s turning that information into meaningful insights that help caregivers intervene before a small concern becomes a medical emergency.
AI Should Support People, Not Replace Them
Artificial intelligence is creating enormous excitement across every industry, but I don’t believe AI replaces the human side of caregiving.
I believe it strengthens it.
The real value of AI is:
- identifying patterns people might otherwise miss
- prioritizing what matters most
- helping families and caregivers focus their attention where it’s needed
Technology should make caregivers more informed—not less involved.
When AI, connected devices, and professional monitoring work together, they create a support system that’s more proactive, more personalized, and ultimately more effective.
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The Device Is Only One Part of the Solution
For years, the industry has centered on the wearable itself: better battery life, better radios, and smaller form factors.
Those innovations remain important, but the device is becoming just one component of a much larger ecosystem.
Caregiver applications
Help keep caregivers and families informed, connected, and engaged.
Cloud analytics
Turn everyday device information into meaningful insights over time.
Wellness engagement
Support healthier daily habits and more consistent engagement.
Location services
Add context to movement, routines, and changes in daily patterns.
Professional monitoring
Ensure emergency response remains part of the solution when help is needed.
Ambient sensing
Expand support with emerging technologies that work alongside the wearable.
Together, these elements create an experience that extends far beyond emergency response.
The future of mPERS isn’t a better button. It’s a smarter, connected ecosystem that quietly supports seniors every day while keeping caregivers and families informed and engaged.
Redefining Success
Emergency response will always be at the heart of mPERS. Lives depend on it, and that responsibility will never change.
But I believe the industry’s greatest opportunity lies upstream—using connected technology, intelligent insights, and meaningful engagement to help prevent emergencies before they occur.
Success shouldn’t be measured by response time alone.
It should also be measured by outcomes that improve quality of life, such as:
- helping someone remain independent longer
- identifying health concerns before they lead to hospitalization
- reducing caregiver stress
- preventing a fall altogether
At Becklar, that’s the future we’re building toward: an ecosystem that doesn’t simply react to emergencies but helps people avoid them through continuous care, proactive engagement, and intelligent technology.
The best emergency is the one that never happens.
As an industry, we should continue to measure how quickly we respond when emergencies happen. But I believe it’s time we also measure how many emergencies we help prevent.
If we can do both, we’ll redefine what success looks like in mPERS—and, more importantly, help more people age with confidence, dignity, and independence.
Craig Pyle
Becklar: Senior Vice President of Product
Craig Pyle leads the strategy and development of connected safety and personal emergency response solutions. With more than two decades of experience in product management, IoT, and wireless technologies, Craig is passionate about transforming personal emergency response from reactive monitoring to proactive, connected care. His work focuses on leveraging intelligent devices, AI, and cloud technologies to help seniors live safer, healthier, and more independent lives.