Do Medical Alert Systems Really Help the Elderly?

Growing old is a fact of life. On average, about 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day. Unfortunately, aging comes with many challenging side effects, especially the increased risk of falling. One in four seniors aged 65 and above take a fall every year. The risk of repeat falls may double for those that do. A fifth of these injuries leads to severe injuries to the head and other body parts. Approximately 95 percent of all hip fractures among seniors results from fall accidents.

Fall injuries among the seniors can also cause grave secondary concerns. Other than the devastating initial fall, it may also take longer for an older adult to receive help – especially if they stay alone. Any delays in getting the necessary assistance after taking a fall can make the bad situation worse. For instance, the victim may experience dehydration, kidney problems, atrophy, and pressure ulcers among other issues.

Fortunately, technology has provided an answer to this apparent problem through medical alert systems. These communication gadgets are designed to help elders stay safely in their homes or workplaces. Even though wearing an emergency alert system is not something many people look forward to, it is the smartest accessory for someone at risk of a devastating fall – in fact, AARP strongly recommends medical alert system use.

Below are some of the ways how medical alert systems help the elderly.

Emergency Assistance

When an elder is home alone, there is a lot that could go wrong. For instance, they could suffer a fall injury or other medical conditions requiring emergency medical attention. In such a situation, an elderly alert system can help them get the assistance they need quickly. By sounding the alarm on a medical alert system, an operator at a call center contacts first responders. In most cases, the operators are specialists with access to the victim’s medical history, and they can help emergency personnel figure out what could be wrong.

24 Hour Monitoring

Through an elderly alert system, medical monitoring is available 24/7. This goes a long way toward helping seniors keep track of their medication. If the medication was missed or too many pills were taken, the system alerts them. By being able to keep track of their medication, seniors can maintain stable doses, and avoid implications of missed or doubled doses. Loved ones can rest assured knowing prescriptions are followed as intended.

Affordability and Privacy

The cost of private in-home health care services, assisted living centers, and nursing homes continue to increase every year. As a result, medical alert systems have been gaining ground as an economical option that enables one to age in place. These gadgets help seniors lead more private lifestyles and save money by remaining in their homes, as opposed to moving to senior living facilities. They can retain their independence without compromising the quality of health care they receive.

Reliability

The reliability of medical alert systems is beyond reproach. Although many people have doubts about their effectiveness, these devices have come a long way since they were first developed. They now come with added security features to make them more reliable. For instance, they have backup batteries, lifetime warranties, and some are even waterproof to ensure that seniors can wear them to bathrooms and swimming pools. In a nutshell, these gadgets are designed to help seniors stay safe and secure with the ability get the assistance whenever and wherever they need.

Saves Lives

The best way to look at the value of medical alert systems is to think about their ability to save lives. As mentioned earlier, some falls may be fatal – especially when the victim doesn’t get immediate assistance. There are cases in which elders have fallen and went for hours or days without being able to contact someone for help. In such a case, injuries could become more difficult or even impossible to treat. In other cases, the victim may pass out and even die due to problems that could have been treated had they managed to find quick assistance. Therefore, by enabling elders to access emergency medical assistance even when they are alone, elderly alert systems save lives.

The Takeaway

Even though people may take medical alert systems lightly, their importance cannot be ignored. They enable seniors to lead more independent lives and still access medical assistance when it is needed most. Caregivers can achieve peace of mind knowing their loved one has immediate assistance in the case of emergencies. Thus, these devices do help seniors and their loved ones to reduce worries and lead more fulfilling lives.