Does My Loved One Need a Home Alert System?

Your loved ones’ well-being is important to you and you want to look out for their health and safety. As they age, their likelihood of falling and the susceptibility to injury increases. While the initial impact of a fall may be minimal, having a Home Alert System can be reassuring in the case of an emergency. Not only will this protection help to keep your loved ones safe, it can also give you peace-of-mind.

What Are Home Alert Systems?

A Home Alert system (also called a Personal Emergency Response System, Medical Alert or Medical Emergency Response System) will instantly contact a response team with 24/7 monitoring. Some examples include Bay Alarm Medical, Medical Guardian, ADT and more.

Why Are Home Alert Systems Important?

In 2014, emergency departments treated 2.8 million nonfatal falls among older adults and more than 800,000 of these patients were hospitalized. One out of three older adults (65 and older) falls each year. That number does not immediately equal devastating injuries to those individuals but some of the impacts can include, according to the CDC:

  • Twenty to thirty percent of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as lacerations, hip fractures, and head traumas. These injuries can make it hard to get around or live independently, and increase the risk of early death.
  • Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
  • About one-half of fatal falls among older adults are due to TBI.
  • Most fractures among older adults are caused by falls. The most common are fractures of the spine, hip, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm, and hand.
  • Many people who fall, even if they are not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear may cause them to limit their activities, which leads to reduced mobility and loss of physical fitness, and in turn increases their actual risk of falling.

How to Choose A Home Alert System

The following are useful evaluative metrics to review when shopping for a Home Alert System:

  • Price (flat fee or monthly) – consider how you will have to pay for the system and who will be paying the bill (you or your loved one).
  • Ease of Use – consider how complicated the system is and how quickly you can learn to use it.
  • Source of Power (battery or rechargeable) – consider if you have to recharge the system and where you will recharge it. If battery powered, keep a supply of batteries on hand.
  • Connectivity – consider how the system connects with local authorities and if there are any potential obstructions within your home.
  • Size – consider the size and weight of the device.
  • Comfort – consider if your loved one is comfortable carrying the device around.

A home alert system is a great way to prevent injury or mitigate any emergency situations. Start researching today and consider the metrics above when reviewing home alert systems. For more information check out The Top Ten Home Alert Systems.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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