New Technologies Save Lifestyles

Article submitted by ResponseLink of Phoenix.
For more information, they can be reached at 480-924-0241.

In a recent article in AARP Magazine, eighty-seven percent (87%) of seniors surveyed stated that they wish to remain in their home versus moving into a retirement community or care facility. This has long been the preference of seniors. But, historically, they have often been forced to move into a facility because family members felt it was the only safe environment available to them.

Today's seniors are much more fortunate. Modern technology is providing products designed to allow today's seniors to remain safely in the homes that they love. These products provide services that were previously only available to the wealthy. However, with current technology and automation, seniors no longer need to be upper income to create a safe environment in their own homes.

Personal Emergency Response Systems offer a tremendous amount of protection for a very reasonable cost. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the touch of a button. The button can be worn either around the neck or on a wristband. When a senior has an emergency, they simply press the button and an attendant can have a two-way conversation with them through a base unit centrally located in the home. The attendant can then contact family members or neighbors or dispatch emergency medical personnel depending on the situation.

SOME KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN LOOKING FOR A SYSTEM:

Does the company meet minimum safety and quality standards
    – Is the product UL Listed?
    – Is the monitoring center UL Listed?
    – Is the manufacturing ISO 9000 certified?
Does the company own and operate their monitoring center?
What is the range of the microphone for attendants to hear the client?
What is the size of the pendant and is it waterproof?
What other features does the system offer?

Modern systems provide services that were not available just a few years ago. Family members can be assured of the safety and well-being of their loved ones, knowing that they are being checked on a regular schedule. Some systems are now able to set reminders for elderly clients to take medications. More sophisticated units actually monitor this and provide interaction with live personnel to assure the patient is compliant. If problems are detected, this information could be quickly reported to a caregiver or clinician for assessment.

According to a study by the New England Journal of Medicine, subscribers of Medical Emergency Systems have far fewer hospital admissions and shorter stays after they subscribe, thereby allowing them to live independently longer.