As we get older, we inevitably slow down, however, this does not mean we can not continue to enjoy life to the fullest. The ability to live independently and independently in our home is a crucial element to enjoy life during our golden years. Too many older adults are forced to enter nursing homes and assisted living conditions long before they are ready. This is not necessarily the case if certain factors and options are taken into account, such as early warning systems (check HSH for info.).
The biggest obstacle to independent living in the elderly is fear.
The fear of medical emergencies and the inability to contact the telephone to ask for help is probably the greatest fear of the elderly and their families. The scenario in which an elderly person falls and can not get up to ask for help has become food for comedians late at night, but for the elderly, living alone is not a matter of laughter. The possibility of staying stuck for many painful hours, and in some cases even days, is a very real and justified fear. In some of these cases, the elderly were even more affected or even killed by exposure and dehydration, because they were alone on the ground compared to the same fall.
As mentioned earlier, many factors must be taken into account when older people want to continue living without help in their homes. A recent deterioration in the health of an older person or an acute medical condition will require an assessment of their ability to continue living alone. At this stage, a health assessment should be tested and reviewed with the elderly person, their family, and their doctor. Factors such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease must be carefully evaluated in the decision to live without help. Even if an older person is in good physical shape, an altered cognitive state may require that person to move to a lifestyle assisted by their own safety.
If an older person has a positive prognosis for an independent life based on an evaluation of their health, the installation of an early warning system should be seriously considered. These systems are very simple to use and consist of a loudspeaker connected to a telephone line and a pendant or a wireless bracelet worn by the elderly, to activate the loudspeaker and call a 24-hour monitoring center. 7 days a week, a preprogrammed phone number.
There are two basic types of medical alert system services: a monthly subscription and a single fee to buy only the hardware. The monthly plans will have a call center 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer calls made by the elderly. The call center staff is trained to assess the nature of the emergency and calls 911 for real emergencies or family members for non-emergency situations. Sometimes an older person who lives alone is scared or confused and just needs to talk to someone to make sure everything is okay.
There are many senior alert systems for the elderly in the current market and the elderly and their families should look for the most efficient before deciding which is the most appropriate for their living situation. Being able to live independently for as long as possible is an invaluable benefit that can be achieved with a very modest financial investment.