Senior Safety: August is MedicAlert Awareness Month.
Many families think of these assistive systems as being an excellent way for their parents to age alone. Is it the best way for your dad to age at home? Take a closer look at the things a medical alert system can and cannot help him with to ensure senior safety.
How Does a Medical Alert System Work?
A few items are sent to your dad’s home. An intercom connects to his phone line. This intercom works with the push-button device that he’s going to wear. He also has a wristband or pendant that he needs to wear.
That intercom accesses someone from the medical alert system’s call center. If your dad pushes the button on his pendant or wristband or pushes the button on the intercom, a customer support member speaks to him over the intercom. He can tell the agent what the issue is, and the agent decides how to help him.
If your dad has a medical emergency, the agent will dispatch, fire, police, or EMTs. If he’s okay but needs someone to stop by, you or his other local family caregiver gets a call.
Why Would He Need a Medical Alert System?
Some of the medical alert systems available today have fall detection sensors in the wristband or pendant. If your dad falls, the system alerts the call center. The agent will ask him if he’s okay, what happened, and decide if he needs medical attention. If he doesn’t respond, EMTs are sent to his home to check on him.
Most medical alert systems have enough range to offer support if your dad is outside in his gardens, on his deck or patio, or walking to his mailbox. No matter where he is near his home, help is always a push-button away.
Your dad may like talking walks around his neighborhood. You worry about him being alone on these walks. As long as he has a system with GPS, he can call for help from anywhere he happens to be. If he trips and falls, he can get help.
It’s possible to use his medical alert system without it being an urgent matter, too. This can be helpful if your dad is in the early stages of dementia. Too many calls to 911 can lead to fines. Medical alert systems may be more understanding of his confusion.
Your dad can push the button if he wakes up and finds his air conditioning isn’t working and he’s feeling hot. He’s not sure how to get help and doesn’t know what to do. In this case, he could push his button. Once the agent understands the problem, you’ll get a call.
Senior Safety: Medical Alert Systems Work Best When Paired With Senior Home Care Services
Have you considered pairing a medical alert system with professional senior home care aides? Hire caregivers to help your dad during the day. For senior safety at night, you can rest assured that help is always available with a push of the button if he wakes up and needs someone. Call a senior home care specialist to arrange caregivers today.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring In-Home Care in Cave Creek, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Home Care Resources at (602) 443-4700
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