A medical alarm system is many things. Technically a medical alarm system is a system that is installed in the home that includes a receiver and a mobile pendant or button. If there is an accident in the home , the wearer of the pendant needs only to push the button and the operator on the other end of the receiver signal will be able to help to connect you with emergency services. A medical alarm is also a key reason why many older or disabled individuals are able to maintain their independence by staying at home. Medical alarm systems also provide peace of mind to the loved ones who cannot be there to watch their family member who has special needs or who may be more susceptible to accidents.

A medical alarm system – the technical definition

Although all medical alarm systems are not created equal, they are all basically the same in the way that they are operated. The resident of the home (customer) is given a pendant with a button that when pushed triggers a call to the monitoring facility. The monitoring facility then uses the base unit located somewhere in your home to communicate with you wirelessly. The operator asks you what your emergency is and connects you with the proper authorities. Of course, in the case that you are unable to speak or cannot communicate with the operator it is assumed that you are in need of emergency help and medical dispatch is notified immediately. Not only can a medical alarm system notify the proper authorities for you, but they can also help provide assistance teams with the personal, medical and contact information that can help to make the experience more efficient.

A medical alarm system – to help you feel safe and independent

Of course you want to be able to stay in your home and live each day as you please. But sometimes living alone can be frightening especially if you feel cut-off from the outside world. Accidents happen and it is a real fear that many senior citizens have that they will take a fall and not be able to call for help. Such worries can be enough to motivate someone to move out of their beloved home in order to safeguard their own life. Fortunately there are alternatives to living in a retirement community. A medical alarm system is designed to provide you with the access to help that you want and need in order to feel safe and independent. A good medical alarm will provide the user with 24/7 access to a monitoring center. So there is no need to bother family members or friends in the middle of the night if you are feeling unwell or uneasy for any reason. Constant access to a monitoring center is not only comforting in the case of a medical emergency, but your medical alarm can be used for other emergencies as well. This includes being able to notify the authorities in the case of a burglary or other disaster where your safety is compromised. A medical alarm is the reassurance that many seniors need to know that they can go about living their lives the way that they want to without fear.

A medical alarm system – it is the peace of mind that your loved ones are looking for

Medical alarm systems are the safeguard that many families are looking for when their older loved one insists on living at home. A medical alarm system is the answer to many family’s problems, fears and worries because a medial alarm can always be there for the older loved one at any time.

howard :: Mar.25.2008 :: Medical Alert :: No Comments »

Did you know that statistically a third of all seniors age 65 and older will suffer from an accident from a fall or other injury sustained in the home? It is true that as a natural part of aging we become less sure in our movements and what used to be easy tasks take on a new level of difficulty that could disable us from acting quickly enough to get ourselves out of harm’s way. For this reason many concerned family members encourage the senior citizens in their lives to live in a retirement home or assisted living center so that they can be under the constant watch of someone who is there looking out for their well-being.

Of course no one wants to be confined to a retirement center and you can bet that the senior in your life probably is not going to leap at the opportunity to leave behind their home, neighbors, routines, and independence for a retirement home. Fortunately there is a compromise. Medical alarms allow families to have the peace of mind that they are looking for in order to allow their senior family members to remain at home. Seniors love medical alarms because they play a large role in helping them to stay independent.

In a survey of customers of  medical alarm service providers, it was found that 87% of those who had a medical alarm system said that the protection that medical alarms provide were a main or an important factor in determining that they would live at home rather than be put in a retirement facility. You too can be part of the percentage of American seniors who have found or re-gained their independence because of a medical alarm system.

Medical alarm systems basically function as follows:

1. The senior is given a pendant that can be worn around the neck or wrist. Each subscriber is also given a separate receiver system that can be used to communicate with a medical alarm operator.
2. In an emergency the wearer of the pendant simply presses the button on the pendant.
3. The pendant sends a signal through the transmitter to the medical alarm system provider.
4. The operator asks you some questions to determine your needs and contacts the proper authorities who can help you. If you do not answer the questions of the operator it is assumed that your condition is urgent and emergency personnel are notified right away.
5. The appropriate authorities or personnel are directed to your home to assist you.

So you see, medical alarms can keep you independent not only by giving your loved ones the peace of mind that you will have someone looking out for you and someone that you can contact at any time in case you need anything, but you as the senior feel safer in your home and more confident in your ability to live independently. Most medical alarm systems will even offer the service of notifying the individuals that you select in the case of an emergency.

Ultimately, a medical alarm can keep you independent by protecting you from being without needed emergency assistance for any period of time. Unfortunately it is not uncommon for a senior to have a fall, seizure, heart attack, injury or serious illness and not be able to reach the phone to call for assistance. The result is hours or even days of being unable to call for help. Time is of the essence with life threatening conditions. Fortunately with a medical alert system you can prevent the loss of any of your precious time by having help available at your fingertips.

howard :: Mar.25.2008 :: Medical Alarms, Senior Safety :: No Comments »

If you are interested in making your home a safe place to live or trying to help a loved one stay independent in their home, it is important to consider what measures you can take to ensure senior safety, especially if they are going to live alone as a senior.

The set of challenges a senior faces are different from those that face others when it comes to safety, especially home safety. While it is highly important for them to consider typical safety measures, such as turning the stove off, and keeping electrical system up to date, and the home in good repair, there are other things they must do to ensure their safety.

Let’s take a look at some of the things you can do to ensure your safety when you live alone as a senior:

One of the biggest things you can do when you live alone as a senior is get a medical alert system with a button to push if you have an emergency. This allows you to stay independent, but gives you the reassurance that should you slip and fall, or have a medical emergency you will not be lying on the floor of your home for hours, in pain hoping someone will stop in. Instead you can push a button and get an immediate response.

Most of us wait until an emergency occurs before getting a medical alert device. However, if you are going to live alone, prevention, and planning is a better idea. The fear and insecurity that comes when you do have a medical emergency situation and no ability to call for help can be debilitating. So if you want to keep your independence, a medical alert system is a great idea.

Another thing you can do to help ensure your safety when you live alone as a senior is to have plenty of locks on your doors and windows. Seniors are often targets of burglaries, as they can often afford nicer things, and take less care to lock doors, and close windows. So, keep your shrubs cut low, make sure your outside lighting is good, and make sure windows are locked, and doors are locked. This will keep you safe from outside harm.

Next, to stay safe as a senior who lives alone at home, you will want to make some simple changes in your home to aid prevention of safety concerns. This means things like moving the items you use most in the kitchen to the most easily accessed cupboards. Clearly mark the off position for burners on your stove. Change batteries on smoke detectors twice a year. It means installing grab bars in tubs and showers, and support bars near the toilet, or raised toilet seats to help in these areas. Secure the rugs to the floor so you do not trip on them, and having sufficient lighting on stairs and hallways. Simple changes can greatly increase your ability to move about your home, and live in your home alone with out fear of injury. Talk to a safety consultant if you want to take more serious steps towards making your home safer and more adapted to the challenges you face as a senior.
Part of ensuring your safety when you live alone as a senior is just having a system where you check up on your neighbors, and they check up on you. Have a family member call at the same time each day, or make sure you have plenty of activities lined up, and people to know you are OK. That way, should something happen, you will not have long to wait before someone figures out there is a problem and comes to your help.

howard :: Mar.25.2008 :: Senior Safety :: No Comments »

Introduction

There are commercials that advertise the need for everyone, or at least those ages 65 and older, to get a medical alert system in order to protect themselves in the case that something unfortunate were to happen. Is it really true that once you turn a certain age you need to buy services and devices as the only way to feel safe in your own home? Of course not! The real question is, “How are you to know if YOU should get a medical alert?”

Instructions

Fortunately there are some questions that you can ask yourself that will help you to determine your risk and whether or not you are one of those people who need a medical alert system. Below are some questions that you can ask to determine if you or a loved one would benefit from a medical alert system.

How to know if you should get a medical alert (answer the following questions for the person for whom the medical alarm might be appropriate):

Q: Have you ever taken a fall in your house and been unable to get up?

At home accidents including falls will afflict more than 1 out of every 3 people over the age of 65. Although some falls may not result in long term damage, taking a serious fall and not being able to call for help could cause irreversible damage and even death in some cases (especially where someone can go days without being able to move).

Q: Do you live alone or have limited mobility while in your home?

When there is no one else in your home that you can turn to for help your risk factors increase. Inability to safety navigate your home also increases your risk for a fall and serious injury.

Q: Do you find yourself confused about or unable to control any medical conditions that you may have?

Failure to have a good grasp on one’s own health routines makes them more susceptible to becoming impaired, unable to communicate, or unable to think clearly enough to pick up the phone to call for help. In addition to having a button on you at all times that you can simply press to receive assistance, a medical alert system can also provide medical services with your specific medical information so that you can avoid complications and delays in your treatment if you are unable to communicate any specific needs that you have.

Q: Are there times when you are unable to reach the phone or would otherwise be unable to dial 911 if you needed to?

Having access to medical personnel could mean the difference between life and death. Human life is frail and just a few minutes could be the difference between a positive and negative prognosis. By having what is really a speed-dial to 911 hanging around your neck at all times, the ability to call for help is no longer an issue.

Conclusion

The above posed questions are obviously not the only criteria that you should go by in determining whether or not you should get a medical alert. However, if you answered yes to any or all of the questions above you may want to seriously consider if getting a medical alert is a possibility for you. If it is, you can join the 1.5 million   other medical alert system owners who are able to enjoy the peace of mind that they can enjoy the independence that they have at home while still managing their risk and being able to call for help with the simple push of a button.

howard :: Mar.25.2008 :: Medical Alarms :: No Comments »

Senior safety at home is a real concern. There are several issues to worry about if you are a senior that you may not have needed to worry about as much previously. The following are some tips in areas of each of these issues:
Fires:
The fact is that elderly people experience more fires than not-elderly people. Usually this is because often cognition is decreased as you age, vision and hearing become impaired etc. Protect yourself and your home from fires with these helpful tips:
• Test your smoke detectors once a month to make sure they work. Replace smoke detector batteries twice a year.
• Keep a fire extinguisher on every floor in the house, and one near the stove in the kitchen.
• Have a cognitive plan for fire escape routes.
• Obtain an escape ladder for bedrooms located on the 2nd floor or higher.
• Test to make sure you can open your windows easily.
• Make sure burners are turned off after use. Mark the off position clearly so that even if you have impaired eye sight you will get it right.
• Keep and store flammable materials in a safe place, away from heat, wires, etc.
• Eliminate fire hazards in your home.

Slips and Falls:

As people age their chances of slipping and falling increase due to vision impairment, hearing impairment, loss of cognition, loss of balance, decreased muscle strength, etc. As a senior, slips and falls are even more dangerous because bones start to become brittle and skin gets thinner. So here are some tips for fall prevention:

• Wear thin rubber soled shoes with shallow treads, they won’t slip on typically slippery surfaces, and the tread won’t catch rugs and make you trip.
• Pick up your feet when walking – walk heel-toe, this may be awkward at first but will really help.
• Install and use handrails in areas that are difficult to maneuver.
• Focus, do not let yourself get in too big of a hurry, as rushing can cause accidents.
• Remove slipping/tripping hazards immediately, especially items such as rugs, toys, wires, cords, etc.
• Install grab bars around your tub or shower
• Use non-skid strips or tub mats around sinks and toilets and tubs.
• Keep regularly used items in easy to reach places.
• Keep a phone nearby in case of an accident.

Medical Emergencies:

As you age you become more susceptible to chronic illness, and more likely to be injured in a fall etc. So, these things qualify as medical emergencies. To help protect yourself from these consider the following:
• Use a medical emergency response program like Pioneer Emergency First Alert so that you are never alone and hurt and unable to get to a phone for help.
• Have people check in on you regularly, or stay busy enough that someone will notice if you stay in.
• Have a list of all medications you are taking on your person, so should you have an emergency your medical history and medications are easy to find.
• Keep emergency contact numbers on hand and easy to get to.
• Make sure you know the side effects of any medications you are on.

These are just a few tips for senior safety, but take your safety seriously and you will live a longer, happier, healthier, and much more enjoyable life without the fear of lying helpless on the floor, or the pain of having bruised and broken bones.

howard :: Mar.25.2008 :: Senior Safety :: No Comments »

Preventing safety problems is the best thing you can do for yourself as a senior who wants to live at home and maintain independence. There are a number of common problems elderly face, and some good ways to prevent these problems:

Falls:

The older population’s risk of falling is usually caused by three things: the normal aging progress, pathology that increases with age, and environmental conditions.

The fact is that as people get older their vision, , posture, hearing, cognition, and other factors are altered, and this can increase the incidences of falls. So what once would not have been harmful to someone, can be potentially dangerous to them as they age. For example, a person may not have the muscle strength or reflex reaction to avoid a fall after an unexpected trip. Another example is that often times as you age your eyesight gets poor, and this impaired vision may interfere with your ability to avoid obstacles.

There are many other reasons that elderly and seniors are at risk for falls much more than someone else. These include environmental factors, their medications, and more.

Since a fall can be very dangerous to a senior as they have more brittle bones and thin skin, it is good to do what you can to prevent falls and accidents.

Some of the things you can do include:
• Wear rubber soled shoes.
• Secure any throw rugs securely to the floor
• Have non-slip surfaces in bathrooms and kitchens
• Keep stairs well lit.
• Have grab bars in tubs and showers.
• Clean up any spills immediately.
• Keep things you use often in easy to reach places.

Medical emergencies:

Preventing a serious medical emergency is a good idea for all seniors, but especially for seniors living along. One great plan for prevention is to choose a medical alert company. Instead of waiting for an accident to happen where you can’t get help quickly, prevent that problem by choosing a company to monitor your home. This can be a medical alert company that gives you a pendant to wear in the shower, in case of a fall, or a neighborhood sponsored program that has regular visits and checkups scheduled to ensure you are not left lying alone on your floor for hours if you were to fall or have some other problem.

Fire:

If you want to prevent a fire in your home, do the typical things like have smoke detectors installed, and make sure they have working batteries. However, it is also a good idea to mark the off position on your stove top very clearly so that impaired vision does not become a reason for a house fire. Also, make sure your hair is tied back if it is long and you are cooking. Do not wear loose fitting clothing near gas burners. Make sure there is nothing flammable close by. Etc.

Self evaluation:

Besides having safe habits, it is also smart to regularly evaluate yourself, and whether or not you are capable of living alone. It is understandable to want your independence, but it is important to consider safety first, and prevent problems from happening. If you find you are struggling with simple tasks, preventing a problem might mean getting in home care, or moving to a nursing facility.

So, discuss your lifestyle with your doctor. Have your vision and hearing checked regularly. Have regular eye examinations and keep glasses clean and in good condition. These things will help you know if you are physically capable of taking care of yourself.

Next, make sure you know and understand the side effects of your medication. If they make you dizzy after taking them, you need to know that so you are not up walking around, as you will fall.

These are three areas where prevention is the best thing for senior safety in the home.

howard :: Mar.25.2008 :: Senior Safety :: No Comments »

As a senior there are many safety concerns you might have. In your home there are going to be concerns such as fire hazards, falls, slips, medical emergencies. Your body has changed, your abilities have changed, and you have a whole new set of challenges to face. Besides these however, there is yet another safety concern that all seniors should be aware of. Most seniors know to be careful of slips and falls, and have seen commercials for medical emergency call buttons, etc. However, how many seniors are more cautious about burglary and theft in their homes?

Seniors have become the target of many criminals. In the mind of a thief, a senior is the perfect target. They are slower to respond, have impaired hearing and vision, and usually have a collection of items of value, from antiques, to cash.

The truth is that many robberies take place in daylight hours, and could easily be prevented. So, as a senior, let’s talk about some of the things you can do to stay safe at home:

1. Never open your door automatically. Install and use a peephole. Just because it is the middle of the day, and the person knocked on the door does not mean it is safe to open. Make sure you know the person, or are expecting someone. If it is important they will come back or call.

2. Lock your doors and windows. The easiest way to deter a thief is make it harder to get in. So, install locks on all doors and windows, and use reinforcement for sliding glass doors and windows.

3. Vary your daily routine. If you are predictable, and always follow the same routine, someone could watch you and know that between 11 and 1 you go out for a walk, and visit the neighbors. It would be easy to break in.

4. Get others involved. This is not a problem unique to you, so use “Neighbor Watch” to keep an eye on your neighborhood. Communicate with your neighbors so that you can keep an eye out for one another.

5. Don’t leave notes on the door when going out. This is like a big sign that says, “I am not home, come in and take what you want.”

6. Try to make your home look occupied, even when it is not, for example, leave lights on when going out at night; use a timer to turn lights on and off when you are away for an extended period. Make sure your answering machine does not indicate that you live alone. Cancel deliveries such as newspapers and arrange for someone to pick up your mail, mow your lawn, or do any of the other things that need to be done to make it appear as though you are home.

7. Keep an inventory with serial numbers and photographs of re-saleable appliances, antiques and furniture. Leave copies in a safe place not in your home. This will make it easier to get your things back or be compensated for them.

8. Ask for proper identification from delivery persons or strangers. Also, safe guard your important information. For example, if a stranger asks to use your telephone, offer to place the call for him or her yourself. Then make sure they use a portable phone, and are not closed in a room near a computer, files, etc.

9. Never let a stranger into your home. And never indicate to someone you do not know personally that you will not be home at a certain time. Even a repair guy could take advantage of such knowledge.

10. If you are ever worried that someone may be in your home, call the police.

howard :: Mar.25.2008 :: Senior Safety :: No Comments »

Many elderly and seniors do not take their safety as seriously as they should. They think that because they have never had a problem or incident before, they won’t ever have one. Many people will not do anything about their safety until after a safety issue occurs. However, as a senior it is important that you think prevention. Safety in your home should be a priority.

Many seniors face serious problems because of something simple like a fall. In fact, falls are one of the leading problems facing the older person. Many times injury from falls leads to permanent disability, effectively ending a person’s active, independent lifestyle. And, many of these falls were easily preventable, and would not have happened if the senior would have taken their safety more seriously.

The older population’s risk of falling is related to three influences: the normal aging progress, pathology that increases with age, and environmental conditions. Falling is not because you are uncoordinated. Falling is something that happens as you age because of normal alterations in vision, gait, posture, hearing, and cognition. These changes may increase incidence of falls.

As you age your muscles weaken, your reflexes and reactions slow, your vision and hearing begin to become impaired. These are all reasons safety should be taken seriously because you are not as safe as you once were. In addition, the elderly also have a higher incidence of chronic illness, which can affect your functional capabilities.

So, with this in mind, it is time to set up a rule. Because your risk of injury, and the consequences of medical emergencies, slips, falls, etc. are much higher as you age, the rule is that you must practice good safety habits and stay alert even when performing the most mundane tasks.

So what are some things you can do to take your safety seriously?

• Consider hiring a safety consultant to come in and make your home more senior living appropriate. They will do things like install grab bars in the bath and shower areas so that you have something to hold on to and support yourself with. They may get you taller toilets that are easier to get in and out of. There are many simple changes that can be made to help with your safety. Even moving items from a low shelf to one at eye level can increase your safety as a senior. They are professionals, and will talk with you and address the needs and safety issues specific to you.

• Lock your doors. Seniors are often the targets and victims of theft. So, stay safe and protect yourself from this growing problem by keeping your door and windows locked, your outdoor areas well lit, and by being smart about who you let into your home.

• Create a checklist so you never have to worry about fires, etc. This checklist is going to help you stay on top of your game even when you are starting to forget things. Your checklist should include things like making sure the stove is turned off, making sure you have non-slip rugs near sinks and toilets, wearing rubber soled shoes to decrease your chance of falling, etc.

Your independence is important, so take your safety seriously so you can stay healthy and independent for as long as possible.

howard :: Mar.25.2008 :: Senior Safety :: No Comments »

At some point in life, things that were once easy are not any longer. As you age your muscles start to lose strength, your eyes start to fail, your hearing, and simple things like stepping over the tub to get out of the shower can be difficult.

These changes in life are what make things like senior safety companies very valuable. Let’s face it, although we would love to hope there will never be a point in our life when we face a medical emergency and can’t get help, it does happen.

Mom could fall and not be able to call for help. Grandma Sue’s arthritis could get really bad making it impossible for her to get out of her bath. Your dad, uncle, or grandpa could slip coming in from the garage and not be able to get to a phone.

Having a button to push to get help can alleviate a lot of fear and difficulty in an emergency situation. Most of us would never want to have our loved on lying on the floor in pain, crawling, or not crawling, but trying desperately to get to a phone to call for help, without the ability. So, using a senior safety company becomes a reality, and a blessing.

Most people wait until an emergency occurs before getting a medical alert device. However, a fall, heart attack, stroke, breathing difficulty, or whatever kind of threat could occur, and if your loved one has no way to summon help, because they can’t reach the phone for help to dial 911, they lose precious time for recovery. They also often become fearful, and lose their faith in their ability to remain independent.

A loved one can remain living independently in their own home far longer by having a senior safety company that gives them a button to push that will get them help when they need it most. Usually this button comes in the form of a pendant that is worn around the neck, and can be worn in the shower, tub etc.

So, how is this better than the phone? And what kind of senior safety company button is best?

Well, it is better than the phone because it is easily kept on the person.It is also waterproof so it can go in the shower or bath, where most falls occur. However, in many respects it is the same as a phone. The truth is that most senior safety companies hook their button devices up through a phone line. However, depending on the company you go with, the reliability may vary. For example, if the senior safety company you choose uses wireless jacks, splitters and Voice over IP Internet phones to call for help, there are times that such services are inconsistent and not as reliable. So you want the most reliable emergency device, find one that simply uses an old fashioned analog phone line.DSL phone lines are also reliable.  That way you never have to worry about  noise, or Internet failure issues.

Using a senior safety company is not necessary. You can always try to keep a cell phone or portable wireless phone on your person, or make sure people check in on you. However, a senior safety company can give you the peace of mind that should a real emergency occur, YOU have the ability to do something about it, to get help for yourself, and thus maintain your independence.

One of the better known senior safety companies is Pioneer Emergency Medical Response. However, there are several, so do your research and find the most reliable one that fits within your budget.

howard :: Mar.25.2008 :: Senior Safety :: No Comments »

It happens to everybody. We age and our bodies begin to break down. Some people begin this process sooner than others and for some the aging of the body seems sudden and surprising. Before we know it we get to the point that even the slightest fall could warrant a trip to the emergency room or even consequences that are far worse.

Most seniors realize that they simply cannot do all that they used to do on their own without subjecting themselves to the possibility of being seriously hurt. Although our minds often stay as sharp as they were in our younger years, be cannot change the fact that our bodies do not fare so well in the fight against time. So seniors are faced with some difficult decisions.

One of the most important decisions that should be thought through very carefully is, “how will you take care of yourself.” For many families the answer is to assist their elder family member by placing them in a retirement home where their needs can be attended to and their safety can be assured. Reputable and well-credentialed retirement or senior living facilities are a wonderful option for seniors who are unable to remain safe while living alone at home. However, for some seniors the answer of moving into a retirement facility is not so black and white.

Living in a retirement community may have its advantages, but there are certainly disadvantages as well. Even though there are many retirement homes who strive to give their residents the same level of independence that they enjoyed at home, living in a retirement facility will never be just like home. All the things that you love about your home, your neighborhood and all of your other immediate surroundings are lost. Additionally you are not free to carry out each day exactly as you would like when you live in a place that is not your home.

So the big question is, “What can you do to stay independent while having the peace of mind that you are safe in your own home?” The answer is to use a medical alarm system. A medical alarm is a device that is worn around the neck or wrist of the senior wishing for at-home security. When the button on this pendant-like device is pushed the receiver/transmitter that is also installed somewhere in your home works as a sort of two-way radio to allow you to communicate hands-free with an operator. In the case of an emergency in your home you would simply push your on-body alert alarm, tell the operator what your emergency is, and then have that emergency help come right to your door. There is no need to have to crawl to a phone if you are injured. And the hands-free communication to the operator means that you can convey your need to receive help no matter where you are in the house.

When you have a medical alarm the system provider should also be able to provide services that can help you in the case of a fire, burglary, gas leak, etc. A medical alarm system provides you with equivalent levels of emergency care when compared to living in a retirement home. But with a medical alarm system you can have a way to stay independent while giving yourself and your loved ones peace of mind. It is possible to go about doing the things that make you most happy in the settings that you are most comfortable with when you have a medical alarm system that is there to protect you no matter where you are in your home.

howard :: Mar.25.2008 :: Medical Alarms :: No Comments »