Are you an elderly person who wants to maintain your independence but knows that you need some type of backup in the event of an emergency? Understanding that you don’t have the same capabilities as your younger years is important to protecting your health and safety. Too many older people live in fear of falling because they don’t know how to embrace the complexities of aging and take advantage of available resources.
One resource available is an emergency alert system. It’s a way for elderly people to contact an emergency center or friends or family to let them know that they’ve fallen or are having trouble with their motor skills, whether it be walking, getting up out of a chair, or even swallowing food. Emergency help can be dispatched, or your family can hurry over to help you. Understanding the type of systems available is key to picking what’s best for you.
Monitored Medical Alert Systems
One choice for an emergency alert system for the elderly is a system that is monitored by an emergency call center. This type of system often involves professional installation and requires that you pay a monthly fee. There may also be installation charges and repair charges if your system has a problem. This type of service is good for anyone who doesn’t have a close circle of family or friends, or who has a condition that would require immediate medical attention. When you use medical alert systems and service, you reach someone who will dispatch emergency care to your home and is available 24/7.
Friends and Family Medical Alert Systems
The other option is a more affordable choice for elderly people who want to maintain independence and have a close circle of family or friends who are willing to accept calls in the event of an emergency. There is no installation or monthly fees, but you will need to purchase the system and program the phone numbers into it.
When you push the button on this system, it dials one of the numbers you have programmed into it. If there is no answer, the system will go to the next number. SureSafe is a popular emergency alert system that uses the friends and family idea to help elderly people save money while still being able to contact someone in case of an emergency.