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What to Look out for when Buying a Medical Alert System

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With the onset of old age, elders are confronted with the possibility of accidents. Among these accidents, falls are the most frequent and can lead to injury, trauma and may even be fatal.

Besides the initial impact, falls can also be fatal due to the fact the elder may not be able to get up in optimal time if unassisted.

Luckily, with the introduction of the medical alert system, much has been done to prevent unpleasant situations like falls from happening.

As a result, if you are on the market looking to invest in such a system, then here’s everything you need to know before you make a decision.

The Features It Offers

In order to make an informed decision, it is for the best to consult the websites of manufacturers in order to get detailed information on what key features the product offers.

Not only that, you can also make a decision by comparing specifications between competing devices.

Here are a few specs you should look out for:

  • Battery Life. The device does not help much if it requires frequent recharges, so it is for the best to look for the one with a high battery life. Bonus points if it has a backup battery.
  • Fall Detection. In the case of situations where the elder has been injured or rendered unconscious, the device can trigger automatically and issue a warning signal.
  • Water Resistance Feature. Being able to wear the device in the shower or during rain without damaging it. Considering that 80% of falls occur in the bathroom.
  • 2-Way Communication. The medical alert system allows communication with the rescue team through a microphone.
  • Effectiveness. Referring to the quality of the signal if it is able to issue an alarm at all times without interruptions.

medical alert system

What Do the Reviews Have to Say?

Another important step before buying a device is to check what previous buyers had to say about it.

If a product has caught your eye, it is important to get a better picture of how it may address your needs. That is why it’s best to check online to see how the reviews rank it.

Through reviews, you can get a better idea of how the device functions and perhaps even discover peculiarities which wouldn’t have been obvious at a first glance.

Or, you may hear testimonies from clients who have been satisfied with the product and this helps you feel more secure about your purchase.

Many developers themselves take notice of these reviews and address the situation through their own means.

As result, the best approach is to keep yourself informed by looking out for F.A.Q sections or by contacting the manufacturer’s support services.

All for a Good Price

The price of the medical alert system is a bona fide concern to have before committing to a purchase.

As a rule of thumb, it is important to be on the lookout for a product which offers you a plethora of features and has a good reputation among reviewers.

Usually, the industry standard is that manufacturers sell the product through a subscription model. During which you or your loved ones will be able to use the device and have continuous contact with a response and intervention center.

Choose the Best Medical Alert System

We hope this article answered some of your curiosities and that it will help you make an informed decision when making a purchase.

If you are looking for a Medical Alert System which ticks all the boxes mentioned above then Contact Us or call 727-330-7767 for further information.

Is it Time for You to Consider a Medical Alert System?

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medical alert systemIs it Time for You to Consider a Medical Alert System?

We all reach a point in our lives when we should consider the powerful benefits of having a medical alert system installed right at home. As more individuals from the Baby Boomers generation cross the 65-year-old threshold, the potential for a fuller, safer life begins to change.

Maintaining independence and living the life you want to live is entirely possible; however, it’s worth considering additional support that guarantees happiness and healthiness no matter what. That starts by creating a safe home.

A medical alert system can create a safer living environment for yourself or your aging parents: It will provide you with:

  1. Your Personal Safety Net: Although your kids and friends might try and check on you every day, they may be miles away, unable to actually assist you when the time comes. A medical alert system is right there with you, in person, helping to mitigate the potential consequences of falls and injuries if you’re all alone. It’s an easy way to stay safer without having to rely on other people.
  2. Medical Emergency Support: Life is unpredictable, which is why it’s hard to know if the time will come when you have a dire medical emergency. A in-home or mobile medical alert system will connect you to medical personnel, you can rest assured your emergency is communicated clearly and effectively in a short amount of time. Accessing a two-way intercom, you can let the operator immediately know what is wrong, providing them with the information to take it from there and ensure help is on the way.
  3. Help with Falls and Breaks: According to the Centers for Disease Control, close to 33% of individuals over the age of 65 fall at least once per year. Although you might not want to think about it, it’s definitely something to consider. As yet another layer of security and peace of mind, you can add a fall detection sensor to your medical alert system which will help you quickly get help if you take a fall.
  4. Family and Friend Reassurance: People care about you. Chances are, you have siblings, a spouse, kids, and even grandkids. They want to know that you are in good hands even if they aren’t able to get to you all the time. For them, knowing that a medical alert system is by your side, they will experience peace of mind.
  5. Comprehensive Solution: Overall, whether you have care at home, people stopping in, close friends, or family nearby, adding a medical alert system, embedded in your home, completes any kind of comprehensive safety solution. It’s the missing piece in the puzzle of aging.

SafetyWatch Medical Alert Systems

Here at SafetyWatch, we want you to be safe and protected. Although we don’t want to think about injuries, they are likely – and are made worse when there’s no protective system in place. We’ve created a responsive solution that is perfect for any home, helping you and your family to achieve some peace of mind finally.

Avoiding Fall-Related Breaks and Injuries

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fall prevention in the elderlyAs seniors age, their quality of life often suffers due to the inability to perform many of life’s activities due to a loss of mobility. When an injury occurs due to a fall, the situation worsens. Taking a few steps to help your loved one avoid common injuries occurring as the result of a fall is well worth the effort. Just use the following fall prevention tips to help keep your loved one safe from harm.

Secure Power Cords

Loose cords make it easy to trip. Take a look through the home and take note of the location of electrical cords to lamps, radios, televisions, and computers. Wherever possible, tuck the cords safely behind furniture to minimize the risk of having someone trip on them. You can also use area rugs that stay securely in place to keep the cords out of the way.

Avoid Moving Furniture

It’s always a good idea to refrain from rearranging the furniture in a senior’s home, particularly if forgetfulness is an issue. People get used to the placement of furniture, and it’s easy to rely on memories when walking throughout the home, especially at night.

Install Grab Bars

Even a young person can fall when getting out of the tub. Installing grab bars near the tub provides a safety measure that is useful for everyone.

Never Leave Items in Unusual Places

It is important to return items to their normal location if you want to prevent falls. At the very least, you should avoid leaving things out on the floor where they can easily cause someone to trip.

Encourage an Exercise Routine

Keeping a loved one strong and healthy can help to prevent falls. If possible, enroll your loved one in an exercise routine that encourages balance and stability. You might be able to hire someone to come in and conduct this type of program or do it yourself if you have the time.

Oversee Medication Usage

It is important to review your loved one’s medications to understand if any of them cause dizziness. Knowing what to expect can help you to prepare against the possibility of falling within the home.

Arrange for Vision and Hearing Screenings

Poor vision and/or hearing can increase the likelihood of a loved one experiencing a fall within  the home. Arranging for annual vision and hearing screenings can help to prevent this type of incident from occurring.

If you are responsible for fall prevention in the elderly, you probably already know that the risk of injury due to a fall is likely to happen unless you take steps to prevent it. As people age, their dexterity and mobility are reduced, making it necessary to take additional steps to prevent falls within the home. It’s important to review the living situation along with your loved one’s capabilities if you want to prevent injuries from an unexpected fall.

Fall prevention – Your Solution Against Falls

We hope this article answered some of your curiosities. If you are interested in our in-home medical alert systems or if you have further questions regarding fall prevention, SafetyWatch team members are here to help you.

Contact us or call 727-330-7767.fall prevention

Falls in the Elderly: Causes, Risks, Management

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As age progresses, vigor and muscle strength begin to wane. This can lead to a multitude of problems in the later stages of life. Among them, the risk of falling is not one to be taken lightly.

Falls in the elderly are a prevalent issue in the community. They occur more frequently than it is left to believe. Annually, over 40% of elders are victims of such accidents and 75% of these prove to be fatal.

And often times, many other falling cases go undocumented.

Physicians are often left unaware that a fall may have occurred because, due to social pressure, elders are hesitant to report these kinds of incidents.

In this article, we will analyze what are the main causes, risks and ways to manage falls in the elderly.

falls in the elderly

What Are the Main Causes?

Falling can occur from a multitude of possible reasons. It is accepted the chronological age of 65 is that of elderhood. As people get past this age, a number of factors set in play a big part in the occurrence of falls:

  • Intrinsic factors: this category covers the factors which are related to the onset of old age. As the quality of eyesight, depth of field, balance and muscle power begins to decline, basic locomotor functions are affected. This is a direct cause which leads to accidents.
  • Extrinsic factors: a slew of other factors which may cause falls are related to the environment where the elder walks around. For example, environments which demand greater postural control such as slippery surfaces, slopes, bumpy roads are more likely to lead to accidents.
  • Situational factors: decisions or activities which lead to changes in behavior. For example, situations where the elder needs to rush for a traffic light or to catch a bus.

What Are the Risks of Falling?

Falls in the elderly can lead to injuries and hurt. Many of these cases can yield a high risk of mortality, with head trauma being the main cause behind this.

However, there are many other implications which may result from these accidents, especially if they are left unreported.

In some other situations, the elder has a high risk of mortality if there are no means of getting up or someone to help. It is especially important to attend to these situations with urgency, as this significantly boosts the chances of survival.

How to Manage Falls in the Elderly

The key to best address this issue is to focus on preventing falls from occurring. Patients should report locomotor problems to their physician in an open manner.

Also, education on the issue plays a big role in helping the elder accept the need for locomotor aid.

In the case of unavoidable falls, it helps to manage the placements of objects around the house, making open paths for elders to be able to walk without issues.

If, however, a fall does occur, the best course of action would be to provide immediate aid to the elder.

Safety watches are personal safety devices used to alert relatives or authorities in cases of accidents, such as falling, for example.

Our in-home medical landline alert systems are devices which offer immediate distress calls in case of such emergencies.

Your Solution Against Falls

We hope this article answered some of your curiosities. If you are interested in our in-home medical alert system or if you have further questions, the SafetyWatch team members are here to help you.

Contact us or call 727-330-7767.