How Medical Alert Systems Save Lives

Nothing is more important than your loved one’s safety. As a parent or elderly person ages, they’ll want to stay in their home for as long as possible. But inevitably, they’ll become more dependent on other people. Today’s world is very fast-moving, and more than ever, people live apart from friends and family. Therefore, relatives and loved ones can’t be expected to offer 24/7 help as someone becomes increasingly dependent as they age. That’s where a medical alert system comes in.

Medically fragile or dependent people don’t need to be reliant exclusively on someone local. They can instead find solace in a medical alert system that suits their needs. These simple yet advanced technology systems can be a life-saver for someone who falls or otherwise requires medical attention.

When you’re in the market for a medical alert system, it’s important to evaluate the different options. For example, some systems offer a life alert bracelet. This is a popular option because it’s very easy to carry around. It can be worn as a pendant around the neck or as a wristband. Using it is also very simple. Most work by simply pressing a button on the medical alert bracelet. You then get connected directly to the emergency responder within seconds.

What is a medical alert system?

Medical alert systems, such as Medical Guardian and LifeStation, are life-saving systems that consist of a combination of hardware and software that allow users to easily signal for help with the push of a button. Also called personal emergency response systems, the button is usually worn on a bracelet or pendant. Pressing the button sends a signal to the wireless communication base in the home. The base connects to a pre-programmed number that dials a 24/7 call center. The operator will either call out to the owner through a speaker in the base, or the operator will call via landline to assess the situation. Emergency responders are sent to the scene if it’s deemed the person requires assistance.

Why get a medical alert system?

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that at least 300,000 elderly adults got to the emergency room each year as a result of falls. There are also statistics that show that 1 in 4 older adults fall every year. This further substantiates the need for medical alert systems, particularly for the elderly, though they can also be useful for people with disabilities. With the elderly population, in particular, prevention is key, because healing takes longer as we age. Falls and ER visits can often be prevented with the usage of a life alert system. No matter the distress call, regardless of where the elderly person might be, they are covered.

Here, we further explore the reasons why it’s an absolute necessity to get medical alert systems for your elderly loved ones:

The dangers of a single fall

With age, the body’s ability to maintain balance and avoid obstacles starts to dissipate. These are main contributors that make a person more likely to fall. The World Health Organization (WHO) even claims that falls are the second biggest cause of accidental injury deaths around the world. It shouldn’t be a surprise that people aged 65+ have the greatest number of fatal falls.

Medical alert systems can act as lifesavers particularly for fall situations. With a single press of a button, your loved one can connect to an emergency responder within 30 seconds. By reducing the time to treatment and medical guidance, these life alert bracelets mitigate the chances of a person developing a life-threatening injury. In addition, most of these systems come with automated fall detection features. These notify an emergency responder even if a user is laying incapacitated on the floor after a fall. Without such a life alert device, a person who has suffered a head injury after a fall could run the risk of losing his life.

Never lose sight of your loved one

Most of the state-of-the-art medical alert systems come equipped with futuristic caregiver tracking features. You can access these tracking features via online portals and smartphone applications. Using these features, caregivers can track the locations of their elderly loved ones from anywhere.

Imagine that your senile mother just left the house without telling anybody. Now you have no idea where she could be! But since she is wearing a life alert bracelet, you can use the GPS technology to find her exact location at any moment. She’ll never get lost, and police or neighbors can easily find her and help her return home.

Affordability and reliability

Medical alert systems provide protection both within a person’s residence and outdoors. This allows elders to age in place instead of forced into expensive situations like in-home care or nursing homes. They allow seniors to continue living a normal lifestyle while still having some peace of mind that help is always just a button push away. Because the operations center works 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, your parent or loved one is always protected.

Furthermore, medical alert systems are extremely affordable. Many older people are on a fixed budget, but most medical alert systems prove to be cost-effective. This offers huge peace of mind for both the user and their loved ones.

Protected even without power

Sudden power outages are scary and can leave a senior citizen feeling helpless. But today’s medical alert systems can save the day. Modern medical alert system works even during power outages. So if your elderly parent needs help or has a medical emergency, there’s always a way to request assistance. Without nearly instant communication and help from a medical alert system, a loved one can suffer unnecessarily and potentially worsen any medical condition.

Never miss medications

Many of the best medical alert systems come with medication reminders. These are alerts that ensure your loved one never miss or delay a dosage. The elderly and other impaired individuals sometimes have memory issues and forget to take their medication. Medical alert reminders can increase the likelihood that medicines are taken at the right time.

Final word

As people live longer, medical alert systems are becoming a fundamental necessity. The bracelets and pendants that come with medical alert systems are essential. They’re easy to carry around and can help save a bundle on insurance costs following injuries in the home. The small fees associated with a life alert system are worth it, even for a senior on a budget.

As the need for such systems grows daily, companies are creating new varieties of medical alert solutions to serve potential needs. This expansion in services means help-seekers get what they want. If you’re in the market for a medical alert system, be sure to read all the life alert reviews you can before deciding on a vendor.