Medical alert systems allow seniors to summon help, literally at the press of a button. This means that they are even easier to use than phones and also easier to carry. There are many reasons why seniors benefit from them. Most of these reasons hinge on three key points.
The elderly are at higher risk of medical emergencies
As the body ages, it slows down. Even the fittest seniors do not have the same reflexes as younger people. It becomes more fragile. In particular, bones become easily damaged. The immune system becomes less robust so even minor ailments like colds can become a major issue. Serious ailments, like COVID19, can be deadly.
Having a medical alert system does not replace the need for general healthcare. Seniors will still need routine checkups with medical professionals. It will, however, ensure that, in an emergency, they can get help immediately they need it.
The fact that the medical alert system goes through to a monitoring facility rather than 911 can encourage seniors to use it even if they’re not sure the situation is an emergency. A trained professional can then speak to the senior about the situation and either guide them to resolve the matter themselves or get them the help they need.
Safety has to be balanced with independence
Families want their seniors to be safe and taken good care of. They do, however, need to recognize and respect the fact that those seniors have, literally, spent their lives taking good care of themselves. Many of them will have taken good care of other people as well. They may very much still value their independence and not be at all ready to give it up just yet.
This can create a challenge for families (and the seniors themselves). They need to find the right level of assistance at the right time and, of course, at the right cost. This last point is a senior’s need for care is likely to increase as they age. This means that making astute savings in a person’s early senior years can prove very useful later.
One way to keep costs down is to use technology as much as possible. Medical alert systems are a great example of this. The assistance they offer is available 24/7/365 but it is only accessed when the senior feels in need of it. That way the senior retains their independence and control, along with their privacy, but still has cost-effective support available to them.
Guaranteed assistance no matter what
Families might love to care for their seniors by themselves. The simple truth of the matter, however, is that most families will have other commitments that may get in the way. Even if they don’t, providing 24/7/365 support is a major logistical challenge.
With the best will in the world, the practicalities of life may end up meaning that the senior cannot get the emergency help they need when they really need it. For example, a person may forget to charge their phone or not wake up when it rings. Medical alert systems, however, are always active and always monitored.
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For more information, check out their guide and checklist to choosing the best medical alert systems.
