Taking the plunge and signing up for a medical alert system plan can be difficult. How do you know if you or someone you love really needs one?
Here are 5 signs that signing up for a medical alert system is in your near future.
- Frequent falling in the home
Did you know falling is the cause of most major injuries and hospitalizations for adults over 65? Falls are especially dangerous for the elderly because bones become brittle and recovery takes longer. If you or a loved one frequently feels dizzy, is prone to stumbling, or has fallen at least once in the past year, you should definitely consider a medical alert system.
Although all medical alert systems offer 24/7 access to emergency responders, many medical alert system providers also offer fall protection. If you fall in the home and are unable to push the emergency button, the fall detection pendant will register the fall and automatically contact an emergency response agent. Even if you are unable to communicate directly with the agent, medical personnel will still be sent to your home.
Without a medical alert system, you could spend hours, or even days, on the floor waiting for help to arrive. A fall detection system can literally save your life.
- Is anyone around to help in the event of an emergency?
Living independently is extremely important to many seniors. Once you’ve spent decades living alone, it can be daunting to consider living in close proximity to others, especially if it means leaving all the memories of their home behind. However, living alone as a senior is dangerous.
If no one else lives in the home, if the only other person available is an elderly spouse, or if neighbors or family members don’t frequently check in, then consider a medical alert system. Because help is always on the way with the push of a button, living alone doesn’t mean you’re living alone at all. A medical alert system will allow you to live at home alone safely.
Some medical alert systems also offer other protective services. Seniors can also push the button on some systems if they experience a home intrusion, a fire, and more.
- Serious medical conditions or chronic conditions
It’s natural for your health to decline as you age. Diabetes is fairly common among the elderly, but knee replacements, osteoporosis, and a wide variety of other conditions can make it difficult for a senior to live alone safely.
Managing these chronic conditions is much easier with a medical alert system. Not only does it provide seniors with quick access to medical care, it also provides peace of mind to friends and family who may be worried about a loved one living at home alone.
Receiving medical assistance in the event of an emergency isn’t all that medical alert systems have to offer. Some systems, like GreatCall, offer access to registered nurses and board certified doctors. Others, such as LifeFone, can even provide medication reminders for an additional fee.
- Frequent visits to the hospital or emergency room
Whether you or a loved one experiences falls or suffers from a chronic condition, frequent visits to the hospital is an important indicator that additional support is needed.
Getting to an emergency room is especially difficult for seniors. Reaching a cell phone or landline telephone in order to call an ambulance can be nearly impossible, especially if they have fallen or become incapacitated in another room.
In addition, calling 911 and repeating personal information over and over again is not only irritating for a senior citizen, communicating information can be difficult, if not nearly impossible, which may prevent emergency personnel from administering the best medical services.
With a medical alert system, emergency personnel have access to your personal files and can communicate this information with the emergency staff that arrive at your door. All you have to do is push the emergency button and the medical alert system and its representatives will do the rest.
- Refusal to live in an assisted living facility
When it comes right down to it, a medical alert system can mean the difference between staying at home and moving into an assisted living facility or a nursing home. No matter what the reasons, convincing a loved one to use a medical alert system can keep them happy and healthy.
Still wondering if you or a loved one needs a medical alert system? Take this quiz to find out. Then, spend some time reviewing various medical alert system plans to find the one that’s right for you.
I have been told that a person with a pacemaker cannot use a med. alert device because it interferes with the operation of the pacemaker. Is this correct?
It’s hard to believe that there’s an issue with a pacemaker since the RF signals only activate when the button is pushed or if the battery is low and sends a signal to the base station. The button isn’t constantly “talking” to the base station. GPS and automatic fall detection however, might be different as there’s always activity inside the button. When you’re ready to purchase a medical alert system, best to check with one of our top rated providers. We already certified them and confirmed they have the best customer care. Hope this helps.