Personal medical alarms are not a new concept. Even several decades ago, homes were equipped with pull cords in most rooms.
This meant that if an older person or a person with limited mobility slipped and fell they could summon aid.
More recently, smartphones have come with apps or features that allow people to call an emergency number with the push of a button.
There are also medical alert watches which offer similar functionality.
With the Internet of Things (IoT) and the advent of smart devices, as well as health monitoring tools, this has allowed us to take this a step further.
As a result, we now have even more tools open to us.
We Are Always Connected
On the simplest level, personal alarms give vulnerable people confidence.
Modern wearable alarms are widely available, easy to use, and have a long battery life.
Personal alarms range from basic devices that will simply sound an audible alarm if a person needs help, alerting those close by, to more sophisticated systems that send a signal to a professional 24-hour Care Team[1].
The best systems that are now widely available and affordable is the monitored medical alert system.
If a person is in distress, they can trigger the alarm and speak to a professional Care Team.
That Care Team can assess the type of emergency and either summon an ambulance, contact the carer, or give emergency advice to the alarm user if appropriate[2].
Alarms That Know When You Need Help
One of the problems with the earlier alarm systems was that they relied on a person pressing the button.
They were, quite simply, a quick way to summon aid. This is good for someone who is sound of mind and whose main issue is limited mobility.
However, for those who suffer from dementia and those who have more serious illnesses that rely on a large amount of medication, greater assistance may be required.
The latest innovations in personal medical alarms do far more than just allow a person to call for help, they have features such as[3]:
– Fall detection: Triggering the alarm if a person trips or falls
– Medication reminders: To help those who are more forgetful keep up with their medication needs
– Medical monitoring: Triggering the alarm if vital signs drop below a certain level
– Home security: Monitoring for fires or for carbon monoxide
– GPS Tracking: May be useful for older people who are still able to travel
These latest features mean that older people can retain an incredible degree of independence. Today, people are living longer than previous generations, and freedom is important to these seniors.
Modern personal alarms support this by giving older people the chance to live independently, while still protecting their personal safety[4].
Personal alarms are not a substitute for the supervision of a doctor or the presence of a dedicated carer, and some people will always need hands-on care.
However, for those who are struggling with minor health issues, the freedom afforded by a personal alarm can be huge.
Studies show that older people value their independence, often to a fault, and are reluctant to seek help even if they need it[5].
A loss of independence can cause a deterioration in physical and mental wellbeing.
If smart wearables offer a way to support those people with their ageing, then that can only be a good thing.
At APERS, we understand that keeping your loved ones safe is the most important thing in the world.
For more information about our services, please call 1300 852 148 or send us a message on our website.
