As an older adult aging in place or the family member of one, you would understandably have worries about leaving your loved one alone at home for too long. This is especially true if they have a mobility limitation, health condition, or vision impairment that makes it harder for them to seek help during emergencies. Here is where medical alert systems come in to ensure that older adults will never be left stranded and alone when they need help.
How Medical Alert Systems Can Help
If you rely on a walker to get around or are wheelchair-bound, do you have a contingency plan for getting up in the event of a fall? If you have a caregiver around, this may not be a big issue, but older adults living alone will need to consider how they can get help when they fall without anyone else at home. In addition, when you experience a medical emergency such as feeling short of breath or if someone breaks into your home, it can be hard to articulate your words over the phone.
With a fit-for-purpose medical alert system, you will no longer have to worry about being unable to access help when you need it. Medical alert systems can be built-in, such as in the case of an emergency call button, which is most typically situated in bathrooms. Or you may choose to wear a token around your person, allowing you to press a button anytime you need emergency help.
Using a Medical Alert System
When you find yourself on the floor, unable to reach a phone or you are unable to get the words out during a medical emergency, here is how you can use a medical alert system to get help:
- Hold down the button for 3 seconds, long enough to send an alert to the operating center.
- Someone from the operating center will get in touch with you to find out what happened – if you are unable to speak, emergency responders will be dispatched to your location.
- Some operators will also inform your loved ones of the situation.
If you are worried about being cut off from assistance when you face an emergency at home alone, you may have considered moving into a residential senior living community, where you are always surrounded by professional and compassionate team members.
Make the Move to Discovery Commons At Bradenton
If aging in place is giving you worries about your safety, make the move to our retirement community at Discovery Commons At Bradenton today. Whether you are seeking assisted living or memory care, you will find a team of caring and experienced individuals here to care for you around the clock. In addition, each senior living apartment comes equipped with emergency call systems to give you peace of mind that assistance is always on hand should you meet with a fall or other emergency while alone. Schedule a tour of our community today and find out everything else we have to offer.
