Advances in modern science, as well as an increased awareness of healthy living, mean that people today are living longer and remaining active into their 70s and beyond. Many elderly people continue to live alone after their spouse has passed on and can remain independent for many years. Often though, the elderly go through a transitional stage while living alone when constant care is not yet necessary, but the chance of something happening to them, like a fall, is increasingly possible as they age.
Falls are the leading cause of injury in persons over the age of 65. A fall could be an indicator of an illness yet undetected, but a full one third of all falls in the home are simply the result of environmental hazards. Irregular floor surfaces, poor lighting and clutter should all be checked and improved to reduce risk. A complete medical evaluation should be given to the person after a fall to check for underlying health conditions that may have caused it. A significant number of those who fall will spend over an hour on the floor before help arrives, and this time is crucial – within 30 to 60 minutes, compression causes the muscle cells to start breaking down. The risk of hypothermia, dehydration and pneumonia all increase the longer a person is left unattended.
Fortunately, there are many devices on the market that can make living alone safer for those in the period between when they start to lose the mobility they once had, but are not yet in need of full-time care. One of the most versatile devices is the Skylink Remote Alert System. In the event of a fall or seizure, pressing the large panic button, worn on the wrist with a comfortable band, will activate the small base unit located in the house. This unit will immediately dial the pre-programmed telephone numbers of relatives, neighbors, and/or friends. When the phone call is received, a pre-programmed voice message up to 40 seconds long will be played, indicating the need for help. The wrist watch panic remote is also water-resistant, so if the emergency occurs while bathing, a call for help can still be made.
Another great product is the X10 PRO Personal Assistance Voice Dialer. This item includes a pendant that can be worn around the neck. When an emergency occurs, pushing the button on the pendant triggers the base unit to sound an alarm and call up to four pre-programmed numbers. The person who answers the call can dial “0” to communicate with the fallen person. The base unit can be connected to other X10 Pro controlled lights, so when the pendant button is pressed, the lights will flash, alerting passers-by that something is wrong.
The challenge in using any product like those described above is making sure the user wears the remote unit all the time. Insist that your loved one wears the remote unit, and verify that they’re wearing it regularly until you’re sure it has become second-nature for them to have it on. Aside from doing the obvious to prevent falls, using a remote alert system can mean the difference between life and death for those who have fallen.
Falls are the leading cause of injury in persons over the age of 65. A fall could be an indicator of an illness yet undetected, but a full one third of all falls in the home are simply the result of environmental hazards. Irregular floor surfaces, poor lighting and clutter should all be checked and improved to reduce risk. A complete medical evaluation should be given to the person after a fall to check for underlying health conditions that may have caused it. A significant number of those who fall will spend over an hour on the floor before help arrives, and this time is crucial – within 30 to 60 minutes, compression causes the muscle cells to start breaking down. The risk of hypothermia, dehydration and pneumonia all increase the longer a person is left unattended.
Fortunately, there are many devices on the market that can make living alone safer for those in the period between when they start to lose the mobility they once had, but are not yet in need of full-time care. One of the most versatile devices is the Skylink Remote Alert System. In the event of a fall or seizure, pressing the large panic button, worn on the wrist with a comfortable band, will activate the small base unit located in the house. This unit will immediately dial the pre-programmed telephone numbers of relatives, neighbors, and/or friends. When the phone call is received, a pre-programmed voice message up to 40 seconds long will be played, indicating the need for help. The wrist watch panic remote is also water-resistant, so if the emergency occurs while bathing, a call for help can still be made.
Another great product is the X10 PRO Personal Assistance Voice Dialer. This item includes a pendant that can be worn around the neck. When an emergency occurs, pushing the button on the pendant triggers the base unit to sound an alarm and call up to four pre-programmed numbers. The person who answers the call can dial “0” to communicate with the fallen person. The base unit can be connected to other X10 Pro controlled lights, so when the pendant button is pressed, the lights will flash, alerting passers-by that something is wrong.
The challenge in using any product like those described above is making sure the user wears the remote unit all the time. Insist that your loved one wears the remote unit, and verify that they’re wearing it regularly until you’re sure it has become second-nature for them to have it on. Aside from doing the obvious to prevent falls, using a remote alert system can mean the difference between life and death for those who have fallen.