December 08, 2017 04:47 AM UTC

Best Medical Alert Systems for Seniors

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• by: Cowan

When you or a loved one has an emergency, a medical alert system can be invaluable. Thanks to advances in medical technology, medications, and tools that make living and workspaces more accessible, people can expect to stay in their homes for far longer today than they used to. The systems vary, but generally speaking users push a large and easy-to-reach button on the system that sends an alert to a trained care assistant. Falls and injuries in the home also bring grave secondary concerns. Not only can the initial fall, stroke, heart attack or other incident be devastating, but if a senior adult lives alone, it may be hours or days before help arrives. Making these decisions isn’t pleasant, and you may need to get your family doctor involved if the person who needs the services opposes getting an alert system. If you’ve got an older family member who’s alone and can’t always take care of themselves, these products are lifesavers. Any delay in getting help can significantly worsen the situation: dehydration, pressure ulcers, atrophy, kidney trouble, and more can all occur.

Medical Alert systems are composed of a base station that corresponds to the pendant button, usually worn around the neck. When the button on the pendant is pushed, it sends a signal to the base station which in turn sends a signal to a pre-programmed number where operators are standing by 24/7. After receiving the emergency call, operators assess the situation and call out to the person via the base station’s loud speaker. The base station also has a microphone that can detect a response from within the home if the person in distress is able to speak. Depending on the situation, the operator then sends emergency personnel or calls a family member or neighbor. This will allow seniors to maintain their independence and lifestyles they enjoy, while at the same time having peace of mind. However, seniors are not the only ones that can benefit from a medical alert system.

Some people have medical conditions that can trigger falls, such as epilepsy or nervous system disorders. Individuals in wheelchairs or who use canes or walkers can also benefit from the additional protection of a medical alert system. Medical alert systems come in all shapes and sizes: traditional pendant style, speakerphone, or cellular medical alert systems, activity tracker systems, and combination phone/medical alert systems. Finding the right system for you or a loved one can be tough; there are so many options available that it requires time, patience, and a bit of research. Don’t wait any longer to make the smart move. Whether you’re taking care of a loved one and want the best for them, or are yourself a senior hoping to live a long and happy life close to your family and friends, medical alert systems can give you dramatically more peace of mind.