Growing older is inevitable, and with age comes vulnerability and dependency on others, especially in emergencies. In such situations, life alert systems have been helpful for older people and people with health complications.
Such systems provide comfort to the users and their families, knowing that help is only a button away. In Canada, where seniors account for approximately 19% of the population, life alert systems are becoming popular.
These systems provide various benefits to older adults and their families. The article below discusses some of the benefits.
1. Immediate Access to Emergency Services
One of the benefits that life alert systems have is direct access to emergency services.
This rapid response is particularly important in Canada because winters are severe, and assistance may take time to provide. Additionally, for people living in rural regions in Canada where access to medical facilities may be deemed restrictive, this instant communication can be vital.
For instance, think of a senior living in a remote area of British Columbia without any support from their family members. If they fall and cannot get to a phone or dial, life alert Canada ensures they can still call for assistance when helpless.
Statistics show that falls are the major cause of injury hospitalization among seniors in the country, and between 20% and 30% of adults fall in a year.
2. Enhanced Independence for Seniors
Seniors desire to live independently as they advance in age, and life alert systems help them achieve that safely.
That way, instead of having to call for assistance all the time and be dependent on someone to check on them, seniors can keep living how they want.
This not only encourages independence but also gives solace to their families, knowing that their loved ones are secure.
3. Fall Detection Features
Some of the most advanced life alert systems have incorporated the feature of fall detection in their devices. This feature is essential because, in many cases, the person cannot press the alert button when they fall.
Falls are detected by the fall-detection sensors, which can trigger an emergency signal even though the person is incapable of responding. For example, if an older adult in Canada suffers a fall due to icy conditions in winter, they may not be able to get to their alert button.
However, with fall detection, the system will identify the fall and call the appropriate emergency services for the user. This feature can come in handy, especially in a country like Canada, where the conditions are usually cold and icy.
4. 24/7 Monitoring and Support
Another advantage of life alert systems is that they are put at the user’s disposal throughout the day and night, and therefore, the users can enjoy round-the-clock services.
This is a particularly essential feature for older adults who live alone or have some severe pathological conditions that may need urgent medical treatment. The constant monitoring makes users feel safer, knowing that help is always nearby.
In areas like Quebec, with 20% of the population greater than 65 years of age, having a system that tracks health and safety during nighttime needs to be a significant component of elder care.
In such situations where a person suddenly falls sick and needs help during the night, it is reassuring to know that help is just a button away.
5. Support for Chronic Health Conditions
A large population of seniors in Canada has several chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, or arthritis, which can result in emergencies that require urgent treatment.
The life alert systems are well-fashioned to tackle such incidences by offering immediate links to medical help when needed.
This is very useful for those with chronic diseases, whereby they may have a sudden change in symptoms or develop a complication.
6. Peace of Mind for Family Members
Another advantage of life alert systems not often talked about is the comfort that they bring to family members. Families can get on with life knowing that their dear ones are not helpless or alone and that they have a way of getting help.
For instance, a family living in Toronto might feel relieved to know that their elderly mother living alone in Vancouver has a life alert system. This makes the family feel they are together, though they are separated by a thousand kilometers apart.
That kind of assurance is very useful in a large country such as Canada, where people may be many miles away from their parents who are getting old.
7. Cost-Effective Alternative to Assisted Living
It is a sad reality that assisted living for many seniors in Canada is out of the question due to the high costs of getting into these homes.
Assisted living costs in Canada depend on the type of care the individual requires.
On the other hand, a life alert system would go for a few hundred dollars at most, making it a suitable solution for elders who wish to live independently.
Conclusion
Life alert systems offer a multitude of advantages for the elderly users of Canada’s communities, ranging from easy access to emergency services to family reassurance.
These systems include aspects such as fall detection, constant supervision, and treatment for persistent ailments, which are essential in a country where many residents live in severe winter weather.
Life alert systems are thus a handy tool for Canadian seniors who wish to remain independent but have safety measures in place.
