Archive for June, 2010

Making the decision to invest in a personal emergency response system (PERS) is  a decision that should be taken seriously.  Below are ten reasons most seniors invest in a quality medical alert system.

1) Because the longer a fall is left untreated the greater damage it has the potential to do. With so many lasting injuries to the elderly being the direct result of falls it’s important to have immediate access to care if or when a fall happens to you.

2) Because seconds matter when an accident occurs. Falls are the most common accidents experienced by the elderly. Many hospitalizations and even some deaths happen as a result of these falls. When it is you or a loved one that has fallen the longer it takes to get proper care, the longer it will take for recovery and the greater the odds of permanent injury or even death. Getting help quickly is the primary difference between a full recovery and permanent damage.

3) Peace of mind. Not only will you enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing there is someone out there who can help you get the care you need in the event of an emergency but it will also remove a huge burden from the shoulders of family members and loved ones who worry about you living on your own.

4) Allows you to maintain your own independence a little longer. If nothing else it will remove some of the sense of urgency your family feels to get you to move in with them or into an assisted care facility of some sort. The longer you can live on your own the greater your quality of life is likely to be.

5) Because you have more important things to worry about than “what if?” Seriously, life is short. Who has time to worry about “what if I fall in the shower or slip when getting out of the bed and can’t get to the phone?” You can quit worrying with a medical alert system because you will already have it covered.

6) Because it gives you an around the clock backup plan for when things go wrong. This is help that is available when you need it. It’s there on your schedule. No matter what time of day or night, the right service will have you covered for all manner of life’s little emergencies that we never seem to be prepared for no matter how much we plan.

7) Because you love someone who could benefit from around the clock monitoring. You don’t have to be the one using the service in order to benefit from it. If you have a loved one that is desperately clinging to independence you can give them the greatest gift available by purchasing a personal emergency response system for them.

As part of your emergency plan for friends and family. A good medical alert system is more than just a lifeline in a time of crisis (though that would certainly be worth every penny you pay for the service), it is also an emergency plan that contacts friends and family members when the crisis has happened and coordinates efforts to make sure you are cared for and not just receiving medical attention.

9) Because it provides instant and easy access to help in a time of crisis. Whether it’s a medical emergency, a personal safety issue, or any other crisis the medical alert system and monitoring are in place to serve you.

10) Because you never know when disaster will strike. It is always best to be prepared in a time of emergency. Since there is no crystal ball that will tell you every single emergency you’ll face in life this is one more component in your own personal safety net.

Falls have become increasingly on the upswing for seniors over the age of 65 according to the latest statistics from the CDC.  Many of these falls can be prevented just by changing a few things around the home and adjusting the lifestyle of our seniors.

Preventing falls and staying safe at home should be a top priority for seniors today who wish to remain at home during the golden years and forgo the assisted living route.  Below are a few tips to reduce your chance of falling and staying safe at home.

1. Start exercising today.

Most experts will tell you that beginning an exercise program will improve your balance and coordination.  From making your

bones stronger to elevating your mood, exercising has a host of beneficial and positive results.  Try to find a seniors class offering

Tai Chi or other low impact exercise routine.  One good place to start is your local YMCA.  Local YMCA  listings.

2. Safety-Proof your home.

Go through your home and remove all the things which may be potential tripping hazards (extension cords, mats, books,

magazines, clutter) from places where you walk.  Take special care to remove anything around and on the stairs.

If you have rugs, make sure they have non slip pads underneath and that the edges are taped down(double sided tape) securely to prevent them from rising up.

Keep items in the kitchen accessible so that you do not need a stool to reach them.

Place support or grab bars next to the tub, shower and toilet.

Use non-slip mats in the bathtub.

Make sure the lighting in the home is sufficient in all rooms.

Make sure you wear shoes that give good support and have non-slip soles.  Avoid wearing socks around the house.  Especially if you will be going up and down stairs.

3. Have your vision checked yearly by an eye doctor.

Poor vision increases the chances you may have a fall

4. Have a medical alert system in the home and use it!

Medical alert systems will not prevent a serious fall from occuring but in the event you do have an accident in or around your home, you need to be able to call for help.  Don’t count on being able to call or use a telephone.  Many times the phone will either be out of reach or you just can’t physically dial the numbers.  Your overall safety may depend on just how quickly help arrives at your doorstep.  Don’t take any chances here.

By following these safety precautions and having a medical alert system at home you will increase the likelyhood of remaining safe and independent.

More than 1/3 of adults age 65 and older fall each year according to the CDC and did you know that they are also the most common hospital admission?  Nearly 2 million people age 65 and older were treated at hospitals from falls.  For some reason, the rate of fall related deaths among older adults rose significantly over the past decade and we don’t really know why.

I would venture to say that falls among seniors is a very serious and ongoing problem that needs more attention from us as a society.

One way to shorten the response time for medical personnel to reach the home of senior fall victims is of course to have a working medical alert system or Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) at home.  Studies have shown that if help arrives quicker, seniors spend less time in the hospital and more time in their homes to recuperate and heal.

Falling at home is a really serious problem and once it happens some seniors develop a fear of falling which makes them more likely to fall in the future.

How can Seniors prevent falls?  Checkout our senior safety tips.  You can also get a brochure (http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/fallsmaterial.html) from the CDC.

Remember, having a medical alert system gives you access to 24 hour help in the event of any kind of emergency not just a fall.  These alert systems can also notify police in the event of a break in or call a family member.