It’s never easy to watch your loved ones get older. Though their minds might stay sharp as they age, many people find that their bodies aren’t able to keep up like they used to.
Similarly, certain illnesses can threaten a person’s ability to care for themselves, especially during an emergency.
You can’t always be by your loved ones’ sides, but you can find tools that will help keep them safe. Medical alert systems are one such tool. With this device, you can make sure your loved ones can always get the help they need as soon as they need it.
1. They offer health protection
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 36 million falls are reported among the elderly every year. Among those incidents, 32,000 result in death.
The CDC further reports that:
- One in four older American adults fall each year
- Three million elderly adults are treated in the emergency department annually for injuries sustained during a fall
- Nearly 285,000 older people suffer hip fractures from a fall every year, 75% of whom are women
- One in every five falls results in an injury such as a head wound or broken bone
But old age isn’t the only reason your loved one may face a health risk. Many illnesses and health conditions increase the risk of experiencing a medical emergency. Even a young or healthy person may need assistance after:
- Breaking a bone
- Suffering a pregnancy complication
- Passing out
- Having an allergic reaction
- Getting dangerously ill
Add in the risk of heart attacks, strokes, asthma attacks, and other common dangers and it isn’t hard to see why you might need an easy way to get medical help quickly.
Medical alert systems ensure that your loved one can always call for assistance when they need it. If your loved one falls and doesn’t have a phone within reach, they can use their pendant to alert the local fire department to their situation.
It also makes calling for help easier. After a head injury, your loved one might not be able to think clearly enough to use the phone. Or perhaps they live with young children who aren’t able to phone for help. By simplifying the process into a single button push, you can have confidence that help will always come when needed.
2. They enable independence
When your loved one is vulnerable to falling or suffering a medical emergency, living alone isn’t a great option. Should they fall or grow ill, they may not be able to get help in time.
At the same time, independence is important for mental well-being. People need some control over their lives, getting to decide what they’re doing, when they’re doing it, and how. Living in their home and maintaining their current lifestyle can help your loved one stay optimistic and healthy, despite the challenges they face.
Installing a medical alert system ensures that your loved one has the means to get help when they need it. They won’t have to rely on someone else’s assistance, even if they live alone.
Many medical pendants are also mobile-friendly. If they want to go on a walk or run some errands, your loved one can keep their emergency button with them. No matter what happens, assistance is always just a click away.
3. They provide peace of mind
As much as you want to empower your loved one’s independence, you are also responsible for their safety. If you are worried about their health, you can’t have peace of mind about their living situation.
A medical alert system is a great way to restore your confidence. With this emergency tool, you won’t have to worry that your loved one is hurt and alone. You can support their decision to live independently while still doing what you can to keep them safe.
Plus, some devices will send you a notification or text when the system is activated. You will know immediately about any situation, giving you the ability to be by your loved one’s side when they need you most.
4. They’re easy to use
In an emergency, your loved one might not be in the right headspace to use the phone. Severe illnesses can cloud your mind and sap your strength. A major injury, especially to the head, can make thinking clearly impossible.
In these situations, your loved one needs an easy solution. They can get that with a medical alert system. These devices include pendants that you can wear around your neck or wrist, as well as control hubs that are equipped with buttons.
During an emergency, all they’ll have to do to activate the system is push a button. The device will immediately connect the caller to a monitoring team that is always ready to respond. They will assess the situation and dispatch emergency services to the home.
Some medical alert systems equip their pendants with GPS as well. Even if the user gets hurt on a walk or somewhere away from the home, the monitoring team can quickly locate them and dispatch the nearest first responders.
5. They provide protection against intruders
Sadly, elderly people and those who suffer from medical conditions are often targeted by criminals. Intruders and burglars may try to rob your loved one because they think they’re vulnerable and alone.
Thankfully, a medical alert system ensures that they’re not.
Along with using these devices to request medical help, you can use them to contact law enforcement. Just the sound of the system alone may be enough to scare the intruder away. By pressing the button and connecting with someone that can call for help, your loved one can show the criminal that they’re not as vulnerable as they thought.
Whether you are buying for yourself or for a loved one, a medical alert system is a valuable investment in safety and security. Reach out to your home security provider to see if they offer a medical alert device.
