
Palliative Definition: What Is Palliative Care, And Who Needs It?
How easy it is when we get sick to transform from an independent, self-reliant, and strong individual to someone needy and dependent on the mercy
Does your older loved one spend a lot of time alone? Are they determined to continue living in their own home and stay independent? This might worry you as it is a fact that older adults are prone to falls which can be potentially fatal. This risk increases exponentially with age [1].
Many accidents result in fractures which often immobilize seniors while creating a substantial economic burden. If your loved one suffers from a condition such as diabetes, Parkinson’s, sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, or dementia the risk is even greater.
Fitting the house with grab bars and using the sitter service provided by Amy’s Eden might help prevent dangerous situations. An alternative to that could be to use a personal emergency response system (PERS).
A personal emergency response system or medical emergency response system is a device that can alert first responders or caregivers that your beloved elderly needs assistance or support in the event of a fall, a sudden medical condition, a fire, or a burglary. It is a clever gadget that they will carry always on them. They only need to push a button to activate the service.
In 2023, PERS technology has evolved to include advanced features that can be customized to meet the specific needs of aging individuals with mobility issues, disabilities or medical conditions.
Typically PERS consists of three components
The radio transmitter is a small piece of equipment that could be worn as a necklace around the neck, as a bracelet or wristband, or carried in a pocket. It is very lightweight and it operates with batteries. When in need your aging loved one has to press its button and the transmitter will send a signal to the phone-connected console.
The console then, being connected to the phone, dials the emergency number pre-stored for this purpose. The call is picked up by the person on duty at the emergency response center.
This professional then identifies your loved one and contacts the emergency number for them, stored in the response center’s database. Then, they take measures to evaluate the situation and dispatch an appropriate first responders team to the address.
Having a plan of action in case of an emergency while your beloved elderly are alone means ensuring an adequate and quick reaction. This will prevent further complications and waste of precious time which can save their life.
If unsure of what to do in a critical situation or if the older adult needs a PERS in their life, consider the following questions:
Having an Amy’s Eden in-home caregiver or a PERS device at your senior loved one’s disposal will alleviate your worry that you aren’t always present there to help them while also preserving their dignity and independence.
The power of calling for help with a push of a button can boost their self-confidence and at the same time keep them safely connected with health care. Thus it will improve your loved one’s quality of life in the golden years of their life.
Not all PERS devices are made equal. Today, they may have a variety of features including GPS, health or well-being monitoring systems, activity trackers, motion sensors, etc. PERS may also come with a cellphone or as part of a smart home security system.
Every situation is different and if you have decided to install a PERS device you must consider what your particular needs are, what kind of system will work best for your beloved senior, what kind of alert and monitoring it will provide, and last but not least, how much it will cost.
As PERS equipment can have various functionalities consider which of the following are important in the case of your loved one. [2]
When choosing a PERS device it might be wise to consider the technical side of the equipment as well. The technical specifications and qualities to regard could be in the following lines:
The different types of PERS equipment may offer some variety in relation to the monitoring of the calls and the responses they provide.
The pricing of the PERS equipment is the cost of the device; additional monthly fees or installation fees; extra warranty or service charges. Sometimes some of the functionalities can cost extra.
The monthly fees are in the range of $20 to $70. Please beware that some companies may add to the monthly payment a percentage of the device cost. Make sure you know what you are paying for by asking for a price breakdown.
Most businesses offer a free trial period or a money-back guarantee in case the clients aren’t happy with the services. You can check however what the cancellation policy is and whether you will be refunded if you decide to cancel the subscription.
Lastly, you can check if your loved one medical insurance plan would pay some or the entire fees of the PERS. A doctor’s recommendation might be required.
Having PERS in place is essential if your loved is is aging in place in at home or anywhere they call home like Amy’s Eden assisted homes. While considering a PERS system, or in addition to one, Amy’s Eden sitter or in-home services can ensure your loved one’s safety is prioritized.
Kindly give us a call or submit an enquiry form to learn more about our services.
Sources:
https://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/12/5/290.full
https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/home-care/info-2017/medic-alert-systems-options.html
https://odr.dc.gov/book/path/PERS
https://caregiver.com/articles/dealing-with-fall-risk/
https://www.keiro.org/fact-sheet/personal-emergency-response-systems
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