Many Seniors Choose Home Monitoring Over Nursing Homes

To place an elderly family member in a nursing home or assisted care facility is not an easy decision. A large part of the decision process comes down to the amount of care the individual will require. The person's physical condition, ailments and level of fragility will dictate whether they will require round-the-clock attention, day care, regular rehabilitation or periodic check-ins by health care personnel. Transportation for things such as doctor visits and grocery shopping must also be taken into account.

Another large part of the equation is the expense. Medicare and Medicaid will help pay for some of the costs of assisted care and full-time care facilities. But certain conditions must be met - such as using Medicare-certified facilities and services - to qualify for these benefits.

Many elderly adults end up spending their personal savings in order to live in a nursing home or assisted care facility. Eventually they may become eligible for Medicare benefits, but by that time their savings have been significantly depleted. And if a qualified senior chooses a facility that is not Medicare-certified, the expenses can be prohibitive, especially on a fixed income. Even part-time home care costs can add up and become a financial burden over time.

Living at Home

Elderly adult or not, there's no place like home. But this is especially true for seniors. Living in the familiar surroundings of their own home or apartment helps seniors feel they are still in charge of their own lives.

This is where senior medical alert systems come into the picture. If an elderly individual is still able to function on their own to an acceptable degree, a reliable medical response system backed by a reputable company can be invaluable.

Most elderly home alarm systems have two-way communication capabilities. When the button is pushed on a medical alert bracelet or pendant, a responder at a monitoring center will immediately be alerted that there is a problem and will go into action. The responder will then attempt to speak to the occupant of the home, proceeding to send police and an EMS response team to the site if contact is not established.

As we age, we sometimes have a tendency to forget things. Medical alert companies have come up with ways to remind seniors to take their medications during certain times of the day. Additionally, there are mechanized dispensers available that help prevent seniors from skipping or double-dosing on medications.

Fall sensors and motion detectors are also very important devices in providing a secure and well-monitored environment for elderly individuals in their homes. These devices greatly diminish the chance that an elderly friend or loved one will have some kind of difficulty where they are unable to reach their alert button. These sensors and detectors provide an added level of security.

Living at home can perpetuate independence and foster self-esteem. If an elderly person is capable of living on their own, then home medical monitoring systems can ensure that their quality of life remains at a good level.