Senior medical alert systems offer a line of defense to elderly individuals who may have health problems, and to those who are simply growing more fragile with age. Many elderly home alarm systems also offer services that notify elderly patients when they need to take their medication.
Taking that a step further, medical response system outfits can even provide seniors with a medication organizer that is set up to ensure medications are taken in a timely, orderly fashion, virtually eliminating the possibility of a senior double-dosing.
One of the most appreciated benefits of senior alarm systems is the peace of mind they offer family and friends of the senior. Just because a person is elderly and may need some occasional assistance doesn't mean they no longer desire their independence. A multitude of seniors live in their own homes or apartments for many years with the comfortable of knowing the push of a button on a medical alert bracelet or necklace will trigger a quick reaction from medical alarm responders.
Services and Technology Always Evolving
Until recently, senior medical alert systems required a telephone landline to operate. These types of systems function through the use of a phone line that plugs into a medical monitoring box or panel to establish communication between the senior and the monitoring station. In situations where trouble arises, the monitoring box acts as a "receiver," allowing the elderly adult to initiate two-way communication by pressing the alert button on their bracelet or necklace.
The range on these units is typically around 300 feet. The higher-end units can reach as far as 600 feet. And while typical battery backups on these units last between 12 to 24 hours, the monitoring center for most of these systems will be alerted if a battery is running low or expires.
These units have a number of safeguards in case of issues such as power outages arise. Many of these systems will also override a phone call if the senior is on the phone at the time of an emergency. For an additional fee, an add-on can be installed, which guarantees an emergency transmission will take precedence over a phone call.
In addition to recent upgrades in medication alerts and distribution is the introduction of more sensitive fall detector equipment. Fall and motion sensor technology continues to advance. Not long ago, seniors would have to take a rather significant tumble to trigger a fall sensor. Today, these sensors can detect slighter and less aggressive movements, resulting in fewer incidents from slipping through the cracks.
Senior medical alert systems operating through landlines remain popular as they continue to save lives and offer comfort to seniors and their loved ones. But the new wave of home medical monitoring and alert systems are slated to open up a whole new world to seniors.
Also known as "remote" units, these systems will eliminate some of the limitations of landline-based systems by allowing seniors to travel further from their homes and still be within range of monitors. These systems are also expected to feature enhanced monitoring and tracking capabilities that allow a senior's vital signs to be monitored from a remote location.
While there are costs associated with having a home medical monitoring system in place, they pale in comparison to the expense of a nursing home or assisted living facility. All in all, the freedom and independence these systems offer to our seniors is worth every cent.
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