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Michael T Braden May 18th, 2024 MEDICAL DEVICES
MEDICAL ALERT DEVICES AND FALL DETECTION DEVICES
A true accounting of my own search for a suitable advice for my Mother-In-Law.
This is the second article I have written about Medical Alert Devices in the past few years and this time I am writing it from a totally different perspective with a completely different point of view. As with all of my articles, I hope you find this information to be timely, helpful, informative, and educational. If anyone has any questions or comments I am happy to receive your feedback. The easiest way to contact me is via email at mike@bradenmedicare.com.
My Mother-In-Law, Kay is 89 and will be livid with me for sharing her age. I honestly could not love her anymore, even if she was my own Mother. Anyway, Kay got up too quickly from a chair in her Living Room on September 22, 2023, and immediately crumbled to the floor in pain. Something we all feared would eventually happen, Mom fell and the result was a Broken Femur and dislocated Hip. This was Friday, the subsequent surgery was Sunday morning, and then, to our utter disbelief the socket became dislocated again within 24 hours of surgery, and a 2nd surgery was performed on Tuesday. On Thursday she was released to an Acute Rehab Facility and two weeks later we transferred her to Advanced Healthcare of Scottsdale for another 6 weeks of rehabilitation and therapy. Kay was released and we took her home a week before Thanksgiving.
RESEARCHING OTHER FALL DETECTION DEVICES
We were aware of the possibility of Kay Falling again, so our first precaution was to get her and iWatch, which we were told would alert us if she fell. However, we have found that these watches are fine, so long as you do not rely on them as your only Fall Detection device. Kay's sister Mary has an i Watch that can alert her family if she is cutting up celery, while Kay has not ever notified us after two separate minor incidents.
After seeing how difficult it was to re-hab a Broken Hip, even with being in relatively great health, aside from arthritis and being almost nine decades old, we knew her experiencing another fall would be devastating and most likely send her to either an Assisted Living Facility or a Nursing Home, as opposed to being at home with a Caregiver for a few hours per day.
What we discovered was eye-opening, to say the least. First, the sheer number of companies who offer Fall Detection is quite overwhelming, as are all of the options. And, adding to our stress was the fact that we knew Kay would adamantly reject any solution we offered. Turns out, less than 5% of adults accept the need to have a device to alert friends or family if they fall and God bless her, but Kay is in the 95% category that denies there is a need to wear anything. Thankfully, love won out, or should I say firm love won out.
WHAT WE FOUND OUT THAT WE HOPE HELPS EVERYONE
Fall Detection Devices rarely work, or at least they rarely work consistently the way any normal person would think. And, depending on what type of device you have, it may not work if it is OOR (Out-Of-Range) of the Base Unit. We also discovered that there can easily be False Alarms and that 95% of Seniors do not believe there is any sort of wearable device that they would qualify as being "stylish".
Fall Detection using a "Base Unit" and secondary device, such as a Medallion or Necklace. When it comes to Fall Alerts, think of an old Answering Machine you may have had years ago. Picture that as a Base Unit, if you fell near the Base Unit, you could press the button and talk with the Monitoring company to tell them what was going on and if you needed help. Or, many systems offer a Medallion that can be worn on a chain or lanyard or attached to a Belt Clip. Then, if you fell, the Monitoring company would be notified. However, these devices only work within 600 - 900 Feet of the Base Unit, on average. This was not the best option, and it was too costly and cumbersome to have two separate devices.
Then, we discovered there are two of the largest Monitoring Company's that offer GPS Monitoring. GPS (Global Positioning Systems) work anywhere, and they can determine your location like your Phone Company can find your exact location using your smartphone. However, even these are not perfect. Let me further explain below.
GPS MEDALLIONS & GPS NECKLACES
Overall these are the least obtrusive and lightest weight solutions for Seniors. But, they have more false alarms if you set it up to detect Falls. Instead, if you simply set it up as monitoring, these devices can deliver the Function and Peace Of Mind we are looking for. We chose LifeFone.
Fall detection is an inexact science. So we chose to have the GPS Medallion programmed so that when the button is pressed, you can communicate directly with the Monitoring company. So Mom could be out to lunch with friends, she could be out getting her mail or she could be at home and immediately press the button to request help. If something happens but is not serious and if she is not near her phone, she can tell the Monitoring company to call any of us and they will call us immediately and we can go over to her house. If it was an emergency, she could say send a Fireman, Police Officer, ambulance, etc to her house. It works anywhere, anytime.
You only need to charge the Medallion every 4th day, and it only takes about 3 hours for a full charge.
LOCK BOXES FOR EMERGENCY PERSONNEL
Most of the Monitoring companies offer a Lock Box that can be attached to the Door, or near the door. This is great if Emergency personnel are dispatched and the Monitoring Company gives them the combination so they can retrieve the House Key and Enter the home safely.
SOME OF THE TOP COMPANIES TO CHECK OUT AND COMPARE PRICING
BAY ALARM
ADT
GET SAFE
GET SAFE
MEDICAL GUARDIAN
LIFE STATION
GOING BEYOND FALL DETECTION
Medical alert devices are widely used by the elderly. They provide emergency assistance during critical health situations. However, these devices have evolved significantly over the years, offering much more than just emergency response services.
Technology has advanced significantly and those who use the technology are also changing. Medical alert devices are becoming increasingly important beyond medical emergencies. They are especially useful for those who live active lifestyles as well as those who are concerned with medical conditions.
FALL DETECTION
Falls can have serious consequences, especially for the elderly population. According to the World Health Organization, falls are the second leading cause of accidental injury deaths worldwide.
Medical alert devices provide extra safety. Fall detection technology is a feature that is usually an optional add-on. This technology adds even more safety. When a fall occurs, emergency responders or designated contacts are automatically alerted.
No fall detection system can detect 100% of falls. Therefore, pendants are usually equipped with a help button for extra safety. If able, users should press their help button in any type of emergency.
These devices use sensors to detect sudden movements and position changes. Fall detection technology has the potential to save lives by ensuring immediate medical attention is provided when needed.
MORE AND MORE PEOPLE USING THESE DEVICES, NOT JUST FOR SENIORS ANYMORE
Medical alert devices have long been used by the elderly. Now, they are becoming popular among people with disabilities or those who are accident-prone. These devices are increasingly being seen as valuable tools. People with conditions such as epilepsy, heart conditions, or mobility issues can benefit greatly from these devices.
By wearing a medical alert device, individuals with disabilities can gain independence, knowing that help is just a button press away. People who enjoy outdoor activities like hiking or sports should consider using medical alert devices. This will provide prompt assistance in the event of accidents or injuries.
HELPING GIVE CAREGIVERS PEACE OF MIND
Medical alert devices extend their impact beyond the wearer, offering peace of mind to caregivers as well. Family, friends, and professional caregivers worry about the well-being of their loved ones. This worry is especially strong if the person lives alone or has health concerns.
Medical alert system providers who offer customized care plans provide additional reassurance by alerting caregivers to notifications. This prompt notification enables caregivers to quickly assess the situation and take appropriate action. Caregivers can feel less stressed and anxious knowing that help is available.
Some medical alert providers also offer caregiver tools, fostering a sense of security for everyone involved.
LifeFone Offers:
Activity Assurance: Subscribers check in daily using their base unit.
Daily Check-in Call: Daily outbound calls to the subscriber.
Medication Reminders: Tell the subscriber what medication(s) to take and when to take it.
Location Service: Indicates the location of the subscriber’s LifeFone mobile device as needed.
LIFESTYLE MONITORING AND HEALTH INSIGHTS
Modern medical alert devices often come equipped with additional features that promote overall wellness and health monitoring. These devices can track vital signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure, track steps, and provide daily weather updates.
Medical alert devices have come a long way from their initial purpose of emergency response. Technology is advancing rapidly. Medical alert devices will become more versatile in the future. This will provide more peace of mind and safety for people of all ages.