How Do Home Medical Alert Systems Help Seniors Live Independently?
If your aging relative lives alone, you’re likely concerned about their safety. Perhaps you’re considering two options: keeping them in an assisted living facility or hiring a caregiver. For seniors who want to live independently, these options won’t soothe them.
However, there’s a third option that ticks the boxes: a home medical alert system.
This medical emergency framework enables elderly individuals to live on their terms with the support of remote emergency assistance. The framework works perfectly for adults with an active lifestyle and those with mobility challenges.
If you’re wondering how this emergency system works, you’re in the right place. This guide covers all you need to know about home medical alert systems and how they help seniors live independently.
1. Immediate Emergency Response
Most adults would live independently without fear, knowing that they can always get immediate help in an emergency. As people age, they become prone to accidents and emergencies. Without timely medical intervention, accidents can be deadly. For that reason, medical alert systems can be life-saving during elderly-prone accidents.
Nevertheless, you should always buy a high quality medical alert system that offers emergency services around the clock in your area. For instance, if you reside in Canada, you must opt for one of the best medical alert systems for seniors in Canada.
Falls
Aging people are most prone to falls. According to research, more than one in four elderly people fall every year. Whether it is walking down the stairs or getting off a chair, there’s no telling when an elderly person may trip.
Not only can this accident lead to serious injuries, but it can also worsen ongoing ailments. When an adult lives alone, falling without anyone in sight to care for them can be fatal. To ensure that you or your elderly relative receives timely help, a home medical alert system is a must-have.
Cuts
Aging may cause a reduction in muscle movement and an imbalance. As a result, handling sharp objects can be dangerous as it may lead to cuts and bruises.
Handling sharp objects when doing chores is inevitable when living independently. However, you won’t have to worry about these accidents when you use a medical device. If the cut is deep or you experience uncontrollable bleeding, pressing the device button will enable you to get help immediately.
Fires
Domestic fires can be devastating. In many cases, they occur when people forget to turn off appliances. Research shows that people with dementia are likely to cause fire accidents, especially when cooking. Fortunately, a medical alert system can help keep you safe with one click. The monitoring unit can signal the nearest fire department to come to your rescue.
2. Innovation
Home medical alert systems rely on technology to provide comprehensive remote emergency support. The system is accessible through a device that can be stationed in a convenient location or worn.
The gadgets are easy to use, lightweight, and waterproof, so you don’t have to take them off during showers. Besides the primary features, modern medical alert devices have gotten significant upgrades that support both sedentary and active lifestyles.
GPS Tracking
More medical devices are incorporating GPS tracking for around-the-clock emergency surveillance for the elderly. This technology marks the location of the device, making it easy for emergency teams to arrive at the accident scene.
The GPS feature can help locate and rescue people prone to wandering due to cognitive impairment. Likewise, elders who live active lifestyles can be confident that help will arrive wherever they go.
Anti-fall Prevention
This is one of the most crucial additions to the modern medical alert system. With the anti-fall prevention technology, the device does all the work for the user. It automatically sends a distress signal to the monitoring unit upon sensing a sudden impact. Once the monitoring team receives this signal, they immediately send the closest emergency unit to the scene.
Two-way Communication System
The medical alert device has a communication model similar to a mobile device. It’s a two-way system that allows the user to talk to an agent in real time. That way, they can effectively give details of their emergency in the company of a professional while help is on its way.
3. Affordable Alternative for Full-Time Adult Care
About 95% of the elderly population has an ongoing illness or medical issue, from heart disease to cognitive decline. Thus, there’s no telling when these illnesses might take a turn for the worse.
Providing standby medical assistance is non-negotiable to ensure safety for independent adults. However, hiring a full-time caregiver or keeping elderly people in an adult care home can be expensive. Fortunately, home medical alert systems offer a significantly cheaper alternative.
You can register your loved one for less than $35 a month. The best providers offer money-saving options with no hidden or activation fees and no long-term contracts.
4. Empowerment for Independent Living
Independent living has its merits, as many elderly people live alone by choice. For many adults, independence makes them feel less like a burden. They also take pride in being able to take care of themselves.
A medical alert system gives you the best of both worlds. This healthcare infrastructure empowers elders to thrive independently with the security of emergency care.
It can help you respect your aging relatives’ wishes while ensuring their safety. That way, you won’t need to hire a full-time carer for your loved one. They could work remotely, only showing up for scheduled routine examinations.
5. Around-the-Clock Professional Support
Not every older adult likes company. The best way to appease them would be to entrust them to the care of trained professionals who wouldn’t be in their living area. A home medical alert system fits this profile. It connects the elderly with a remote community always on hand to respond to emergencies.
A typical medical alert system operates a monitoring unit that is active every day of the week. This department handles direct queries or reports from the device users.
The unit consists of trained and dedicated agents. These professionals excel in interpersonal skills, which are crucial in communicating effectively with the elderly, some of whom may have communication issues.
When the monitoring team receives a distress message, they assess the situation to determine the ideal dispatch unit for the emergency. Upon dispatching first responders to the scene, they also provide useful information on the situation and the affected person.
Conclusion
Living independently is not the problem. For families of elderly people, it’s the fear of having no one around in a medical emergency that bothers them. Fortunately, a home medical alert system ensures that your loved ones can enjoy independence with around-the-clock emergency support.
Not only does this put families’ minds at ease, but it also encourages elderly independence. The key to the effectiveness of this system is innovation. With modern medical alert devices incorporating GPS tracking, anti-fall sensors, and two-way communication technologies, your loved ones are always connected to the monitoring unit.
Thanks to medical alert systems, you can now focus on your personal or business goals knowing that your loved ones are in safe hands. Contact an agent today.
