Seniors who live alone or with their similarly aged spouse don’t want to give up their independence, but they also might have concerns about their safety. Carrying a cordless phone around all day, just in case they fall or otherwise need medical assistance, isn’t ideal. Medical alerts can be an ideal way for a senior or senior couples to continue living independently despite health concerns. Medical alerts are convenient and affordable and can bring back your independence.
Medical alerts come in a variety of options, such as necklaces, buttons, cellular devices, and even ones with fall detection. Some models use batteries while others you will have to charge every now and then, like a cell phone. For the battery-operated devices, they will alert you when the battery is low so that you never go unprotected. Some medical alerts are mobile, so that active seniors can remain on the go without worry, and then there are ones that are designed specifically for inside the home.
It’s important to consider the lifestyle of the user when deciding which medical alert system is best. If they spend a lot of time outdoors, for example, a system that works all over their property is best, while someone who is always active and out and about will need a system with a mobile function. It really is up to you to decide which type of medical alert you want to purchase. Let’s go over seven important reasons that you should get a medical alert for your home, or for your parent’s or grandparent’s home.
Can Save Your Life in an Emergency
Think of the medical emergencies that can arise in your home: a fall, heart attack, stroke, a severe allergic reaction. Even something as seemingly minor as a cut with a kitchen knife has the potential to be a serious emergency for seniors who live on their own. With a medical alert, you can rest easy knowing that no matter where you are in the house, you can easily summon medical assistance quickly.
With the option of necklaces, wristbands, buttons and more, there’s no need to worry about carrying around a phone – or forgetting where you left the phone. Wearable medical alerts can save your life in an emergency so you should definitely consider getting one as you get older. Hopefully, you will never have to use it, but in the case that you do have an emergency, you will be thankful that your medical alert is summoning emergency assistance.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Feel Safe in Your Own Home
The world has become a dangerous place. Medical emergencies aren’t the only things to fear in your home. Someone could break in, or a drunk driver could veer off the road and crash into your home. There could be an earthquake, or a tree could fall on your home in a severe storm. Trying to find the phone in one of these situations could be extremely problematic. A medical alert, on the other hand, is always handy, and the same people who can summon your medical assistance can also summon the fire department or police to assist you. A medical alert allows you to feel safe in your own home no matter what.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Comparing Models
There is a lot of variety when comparing models. Among the different medical alert systems available, you can always customize them to meet your needs. They come with wearable devices such as necklaces or wristbands, small handheld devices, or mounted push buttons around the house. Some summon the monitoring company, while others can also summon a preselected friend or relative. Some work only in your home, while others can also work in your yard or even at your mailbox, and still others are able to work when you’re traveling away from home, locally or long-distance.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Which Medical Alert to Buy
Which medical alert to buy depends on the individual that will be using it. Ideally, the key features to look for include: working with the user’s specific disability (for example, if someone has a stroke, one that can be operated with one hand); offers choices between necklaces and wristbands; offers mounted help buttons throughout the house in case of a fall when the user isn’t wearing their device; multiple choices of who to contact (monitoring company as well as a family member or friend); has a battery backup in case of a power outage; works anywhere on the property, even in the yard or at the road.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Medical Alert Necklace
A medical alert necklace usually has a button that is pressed when the user needs to summon assistance. These necklaces can be worn in the shower or bath, ensuring that the user is never without a way to contact help. Necklaces also, because of where and how they are worn, tend to be harder to unintentionally press the button, making false alarms less likely. Most seniors prefer the necklace model because they can wear it discreetly underneath their clothes and no one has to know that they have it on. And when an emergency strikes, they will be prepared.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Medical Alert Button
A mounted medical alert button offers a variety of benefits. As it is wall mounted, they are placed throughout the house, eliminating the need to wear or carry a device to summon help. They are waterproof, allowing them to be mounted in the shower, one of the most common places for a senior to fall and need help. They are wireless, and don’t require Wi-Fi or cell phone coverage to be operated. Many allow you to decide who to contact in an emergency, in addition to the monitoring center. They do usually have a limited range around the base, meaning that the system may not work outside the home, or may require multiple systems if the home is larger than the range.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Systems with Fall Detection
Systems with fall detection include a wearable device. This device uses GPS, wifi, cellular coverage or a combination of these technologies to determine if a fall has occurred. If they detect a fall, they immediately summon help. They are equipped with speakers and allow for two-way communication, so if the user can get up on their own, they can minimize the embarrassment of emergency personnel arriving when they’re already back on their feet. Systems with fall detection are not foolproof, however, and in some instances, may not detect when a fall has taken place. However, since the device is wearable, the user can still press the button and summon assistance on their own.
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