Archive for January, 2010

According to the Journal of Age and Aging (July 2009 issue) titled “Falls and Fear of Falling: Burden, Beliefs, and Behaviors” estimated the frequency of recent falls and prevalence of fear of falling among adults aged 65 and older.

The data were obtained from a cross-sectional, list-assisted, random-digit dialed telephone survey of U.S. adults from 2001 to 2003. Participants consisted of 1,709 non-institutionalized adults aged 65 or older who spoke either English or Spanish.

An estimated 3.5 million, or 9.6%, of older adults reported falling at least once in the previous 3 months. About 36.2% of all older adults said they were moderately or very afraid of falling.

Few older adults who fell in the previous 3 months reported making any changes to prevent future falls. The high prevalence of falls and fear of falling among U.S. older adults is of concern. Both can result in adverse health outcomes including decreased quality of life, functional limitations, restricted activity, and depression.

Older adults’ fear of falling and their reluctance to adopt behaviors that could prevent future falls should be considered when designing fall prevention programs. Such examples of fall prevention programs might include:

• Tai Chi -slow motion routines that groups of people practice together every morning in parks around the world.

• The Otago Exercise Program -The OEP helps to stop you falling if you have weak legs or impaired balance. It has been shown to reduce your chances of having a fall by 35%. It also reduces the severity of injuries from falls.

• Stepping on : building confidence and reducing falls, a community-based program for older people by Lindy Clemson & Megan Swann

While a medical alert system cannot prevent a fall from happening, studies have shown that the quicker help arrives after an emergency the better chances of a full recovery.  So, be sure to practice good preventative measures in conjunction to having a good medical alert in case a fall or other medical emergency should occur.

If you’d like more information about medical alert systems and their benefits to seniors, caregivers, or their family members please call the companies nationwide toll free number 1-800-595-0718 or e-mail to [email protected]

*information and statistics compiled from the CDC website

Reducing the Risks

Don’t wait for your aging parent to have a major medical emergency in their home due to a lack of awareness. The EPA website (www.epa.gov) has tons of useful information on possible hazards in a home, and you should at least check the following conditions as part of your routine home inspection.

Radon Gas – To find a radon service professional, visit www.epa.gov/iaq/whereyoulive.html.

Asbestos – Asbestos may not be easily identified, so consult with a professional if you are unsure about a material in a home. The Environmental Protection Agency says that, “Usually the best thing is to LEAVE asbestos material that is in good condition ALONE.” If buyers have concerns, refer them to www.epa.gov/asbestos for current information on asbestos risks.

Lead-Based Paint – If a home was built before 1978, there’s a chance that lead-based paint was used. If the paint is peeling, that is not the only danger to be concerned about. Lead-contaminated dust and soil can also pose serious health risks to children and pregnant women if inhaled or ingested. Make certain the buyer knows if there is lead-based paint in the home, and remind them that removal of lead-based paint, if done incorrectly, can result in lead-contaminated dust being released into the air. Visit www.epa.gov/lead for more information.

Smoke Alarms – Know your state’s smoke alarm laws by heart! Some states require one smoke alarm in each bedroom, plus a detector on each floor. Make sure you change the batteries out at least yearly and check the operating condition of each alarm.

Medical Alert System – As always, it’s a good idea to have a good quality medical alert system from a reputable dealer like MedFirst Alert. Not every senior needs one but if you have any doubts that your aging mother or father might not be able to contact emergency services in case of a fall or accident, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Be sure to do your homework as there may be risks specific to the region where you live, such as California’s earthquakes or Florida’s hurricanes, that mean regional laws and safety precautions to follow.

Exercise regularly. Physical activity programs like Tai Chi that increase strength and improve balance are especially good.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines to reduce side effects and interactions that could make you dizzy or unsteady.

Have your eyes checked at least once a year.

Improve the lighting in your home.

Reduce the hazards in your home that can lead to falls, such as loose carpets and slippery or uneven floors.

Thanks to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for use of their content.

So, you have just made the first step towards your independence or the independence of a loved one and you have purchased our MedFirst Alert System.

The next step is to test the unit with our care specialists to ensure everything is working properly.

The MedFirst Alert System allows you the ability to test your service and speak with our care specialists in a non-emergency situation and familiarize yourself with the system.

Since it is a two-way voice system it is very important to speak with our operators when they come on through the speaker in your base unit. This allows us to accurately respond to your current circumstances. When we can’t make voice contact with you, our operators will disconnect from the base unit and ring the house phone to eliminate a false alarm. If there is no response, we presume you are in a medical emergency and will dispatch the ambulance and/or your responders (people you designate on your call list).

We recommend doing a ‘Range Test’ of your home. The ‘Range Test’ requires you to push your Transmitter Button and wait 30 to 60 seconds for our care specialist to respond. When the specialist comes through the speaker in the Base Unit, tell them you are a new subscriber and want to do a ‘Range Test.’ Then go to your commonly used rooms and once you reach each room ask the operator if they can hear you. When you are finished, return to the Base Unit and thank the care specialist for the test.

That’s all there is to it! It’s a simple 5 minute setup from start to finish.

If you have any questions about the MedFirst Alert System, please feel free to call us at 1-800-595-0718 or just respond below.

We’ve all heard the stories before. Grandma or Grandpa falling down the stairs and breaking a bone or fracturing a hip. It’s a serious problem when it happens to our elderly loved ones. It’s a nightmare for the senior involved.

A simple thing like tripping over an extension cord or slipping on a wet kitchen floor. As we age our senses and muscles begin to deteriorate. Our bones become weak and are more likely to break or fracture.

Don’t let a fear of falling keep you from doing the things you love. Doing things like gardening, walking, getting together with friends and family are so important for staying healthy.

If you take care of your physical and mental health, you may be able to lower the chances of falling. Here are a few things you can do to lower your chances of a fall.

1. Get a bone density check to determine your level of vulnerability.

2. Stay physically active. Regular exercise is key to maintaining a healthy and strong body.

3. Have your hearing and vision tested once a year.

4. If you are taking medicine, be sure and check the side effects before taking.

5. The National Institute on Aging recommends buying a medical alarm in the event you should have a fall. A quicker medical response time usually means a shorter stay at the hospital.

We are here to help with any questions you may have about medical alarms. How they work.  How much they cost.  You can always reach us at 1-800-595-0718.   One of our Care Specialists will be happy to talk with you.

Falls Among Older Adults

At first glance, the problem may not seem big. However, more than a third of adults age 65 and older fall each year in the United States according to the CDC. (Hornbrook et al. 1994; Hausdorff et al. 2001)

In 2005, 15,800 over the age of 65 died from injuries related to unintentional falls. Over 1.8 million of people over 65 were treated in emergency rooms for injuries related to falls(CDC 2005)

In a nutshell, falls among the elderly are serious and the long term effects will have an impact on not only seniors but the ones who care for them. This is why we recommend having a medical alert system for seniors over the age of 65 who may be at high risk. Although the medical alert will not prevent a fall, what it does is get the medical attention to the victim quicker.

Studies have show that a very important factor for long term recovery is the amount of time that elapses from a fall to receiving medical attention. The quicker medical attention is sought the better the outcome.

1. Look in refrigerator, freezer and drawers.  Has food spoiled because mom can’t get to the grocery store?  Does she have difficulty cleaning tight, cluttered places?
2. Look over the grocery list.  Has your loved one’s declining health prompted her to purchase more convenience and junk foods, and neglect proper nutrition?  Is she losing weight?
3. Look on top of furniture and countertops.  Are dust and dirt signs that household tasks are becoming more difficult for your parents?
4. Look up at fans and ceilings.  Has the inability to lift her arms and climb stepstools prevented your loved one from cleaning soot and grime from high places?  Caution your senior not to climb.
5. Look down at floors and stairways.  Have shaky hands spilled drinks and food, soiling vinyl, wood, carpets and walkways?  Are frayed carpets, throw rugs, objects and furniture creating tripping hazards?  Does dad’s bad knee put him at greater risk on cracked sidewalks and with broken stair rails?
6. Look under beds and sofas.  Is your senior having difficulty organizing old newspapers, books and magazines, which are creating a fire hazard?
7. Look through the mail.  Is mom’s dementia causing her to forget to pay bills and answer correspondence?
8. Look below bathroom and kitchen sinks.  Is poor eyesight making it difficult for your elderly relative to read medication labels and to properly store cleaning materials?  Is he forgetting to refill medications and to take them on schedule?  Check the refill date against the number of pills in the bottle to help determine if your loved one is taking medication regularly.  Or call the pharmacy.
9. Look at your senior’s appearance.  Is clothing dirty and unkempt, and is your loved one neglecting personal hygiene?
10. Look to your parents’ neighbors and other close friends to find out about their daily routine.  Are your seniors at home more, watching television and avoiding stimulating conversation and companionship?

I’m concerned about what will happen when the aging population runs out of money to pay for these expensive assisted living homes. At between $ 50,000 and $90,000 per year, who will be able to live there long? Our elders were a little more prepared but I don’t believe that the baby boomer generation has prepared themselves well enough to be able to cover even a year of living there. And now that many boomers are upside down on their mortgages, selling their home won’t help to pay for that care. Not many of us have long term care insurance either. (And in reality, how can long term care insurance continue to exist when almost ALL of us will need it at some point?) Author, Shelley Webb, Eldercare Support group 1/12/2010

Shelley,

Good article and right on the money. We may see assisted living facilities go through a tough time when the Boomer generation runs out of money. – Which could possible happen. The family unit has got to become the main sustaining channel through which our seniors get the care they need. The Hispanics do it well. It’s part of their culture and used to be part of ours. I think we will see a surge in the medical alert industry due to the lack of funds available for round the clock care for seniors. Having a home medical alert is certainly no substitute for proper medical care but it can help seniors retain their independence for at least a few extra months or years.

John
MedFirstAlert.com

…and complete home medical alarm systems which provide you and your loved one with the knowledge they are free to do what ever they choose – safely and securely.  And that’s what’s important. Right?

MedFirst Alert uses  state of the art transmitters and receivers for homes and offices in the United States.  We care about our customers and  continually anticipate the ever-growing need for effective home medical alarm systems. Our product line, has been constantly improved over the past 20 years with one purpose in mind: to better serve our senior community and their caregivers by providing them the freedom and security so essential to a happy, secure life in the golden years.