Abstract: First and second bed monitoring systems are usable in a home and in a healthcare institution, respectively, and reliably detect an attempted departure from a bed or the like by a monitored person before the monitored person's feet ever touch the floor. Both monitoring systems generate an RF signal field or disabling signal encompassing a designated volume in the vicinity of the bed and produce an alarm signal whenever an ankle bracelet or some other device worn by the monitored person moves outside of the monitored volume. The alarm signal may be generated either at the bed or at a remote location, and the alarm may be sounded either at the remote location, at the bed, or even transmitted to a nurse's station or the like. A home/area monitoring system is also provided and generates an alarm signal whenever the signal from a user worn bracelet transmitter falls below a threshold strength indicating that the user has moved beyond a "safe" area.