Do you remember your grandparents having pull cords in their homes to get help if they slipped and fell?
Perhaps they had a big, bulky wrist monitor that they wore around the home and that they could push a button on it to ask for help if they felt unwell?
Having seen those devices, you may be reluctant to wear a personal alarm yourself.
However, modern technology is smaller, lighter, more attractive-looking and more powerful, and personal alarms can do far more than just work like a one-push mobile phone.
SOS Personal Alarms for People Susceptible to Falling
Recent studies show that personal alarms can offer positive outcomes for elderly people who experience trips and falls, reducing what is known as the ‘long lie’.
If an elderly person falls and is unable to get back up from the floor, this can be an indicator of both a serious short term injury and the beginning of a longer-term loss of confidence and mobility[1].
The right personal alarm can help to prevent this issue by helping a senior citizen retain some of their confidence and independence.
Health Monitoring in a Personal Alarm
Not all people who wear personal alarms are at the older end of the spectrum.
There is a movement now towards the ‘Internet of Things’ and remote health monitoring services.
While managed services that include such health monitoring are still limited, and in their infancy, there are some valuable personal alarms for people with serious long-term conditions, such as diabetes.
More research is being put into continuous Glucose Monitors with built-in alarms and may become more popular in the future to help diabetics manage their condition[2].
Retain Your Independence
Some modern personal alarm services offer GPS features, which mean that they can help people to retain their independence and remain confident enough to go out to do their own shopping and to enjoy social activities, without fear of becoming ill or getting lost.
Linking personal alarms to the house smoke detectors can give family members the confidence and knowledge that their loved ones are in a safe environment.
This can ensure that if something does go wrong, help will be on the way quickly.
With 24/7 contact centres monitoring the alarms and providing basic triage, personal alarms offer the wearer the confidence that they are never far from help.
Freedom and Privacy
While some people feel like getting a personal alarm means giving up on some freedoms, the truth is that the personal alarm actually protects your freedom.
Having a personal alarm means that you can continue to do the things you love.
If your memory is failing slightly and you need a reminder to take pills, technology can help with that.
If you have some balance issues but want to remain mobile, a personal alarm gives you the confidence to keep trying, and not have to worry about being stuck for a long time if you do fall over.
With a personal alarm, you still have your privacy. The alarms do not report back to people unless you push a button.
They simply sit there and wait, then when you need aid they are there for you.
Old or young, if you have a health condition which could cause you to go from ‘feeling OK’ to feeling dizzy, disoriented or immobile in a few moments, then a personal alarm could be a good solution.
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.
