Button Alarm Systems are Useful for Those with Foot and Ankle Problems

As we age, our foot health can change and begin to affect mobility. The coronavirus pandemic has affected health around the world. However, it has placed a significant strain on Americans’ feet. This is the case for a variety of reasons: We’re not walking around as much, and we’re not wearing shoes in the house. These habits allow the foot muscles to atrophy over time. As a result, some older adults are experiencing chronic foot and ankle issues. In some cases, this pain can lead to falls.

Foot and ankle injuries particularly affect older adults. These types of injuries can put seniors at an increased risk for falls. They may also result in worse fall-related outcomes. In some cases, doctors have found that incidents of broken toes tripled or quadrupled during the pandemic.

Staying safe in uncertain pandemic times remains a top priority. It may be troubling to know that there are additional, unexpected foot and ankle health risks associated with staying isolated at home. Seniors may want to mitigate these risks and the stressors that come with them with the help of a medical alert system.

This senior-friendly technology can help to ease foot- and ankle-related concerns. Alert1’s medical alert systems range from “on-the-go” pendants to “in-the-home” devices. Our primary goal is to provide all of our members with immediate essential care when they need it most – whether a fall or other accident occurs in or outside the home.

The pandemic has resulted in chronic foot pain for many people in the United States. This may be a new ache for some, but for others, staying at home may have worsened previous symptoms. Foot pain affects at least one in four older adults. The pain can impair one’s balance and mobility. As a result, this can become a risk factor for falls.

Newfound foot pain does not need to be unmanageable or frightening. Many doctors will suggest conservative interventions. These methods include seeking routine foot care and exploring footwear advice. Certain devices can also reduce pain. These healthcare items can help seniors maintain independence while they age in place. While these preventative methods can help, a medical alert system provides a reliable emergency backup should a trip or fall occur.

There is a growing number of reasons why seniors are experiencing foot-related problems. Atrophy is the primary concern. When we go barefoot, we intensify the breakdown of our foot’s shock-absorbing cushion. Seniors who live with arthritis also feel the effects of when they do not wear shoes in the house. They can develop heel spurs and bone spurs.

The other major causes of foot issues during the pandemic stem from new schedules and rearranged furniture. As the senior population grows, many elderly Americans continue to work well into their later years. As a result, many seniors have needed to adapt to working from home. Doctors have found that with newly rearranged living spaces set up as make-shift offices, people are bumping into or tripping over furniture, causing injury. 

As foot and ankle injuries increase, seniors should be sure to take this part of their healthcare seriously. In some cases, this may involve seeing a specialist. Foot and ankle pain is a common health concern for older adults. However, it is significantly undervalued within geriatric healthcare. Ignoring foot and ankle pain can lead to greater health issues, including the following conditions:

• Plantar fasciitis – This condition causes heel pain. It is the inflammation of tissue across the bottom of your foot, which connects the heel bone to the toes. You will experience stabbing pain, usually when you take your first morning steps.
  
  

• Metatarsalgia – Your foot will become painful and inflamed. The symptoms can include sharp, aching, or burning pain. The pain is located in the ball of your foot and worsens during flexing and with any movement.
  
  

• Achilles tendinitis – This condition is an overuse injury. It affects the band of tissue connecting your calf muscles to your heel bone. Typical pain symptoms include a mild ache in the back of the leg. It can also cause pain above the heel after increased activity.
  
  

• Tendonitis – Inflammation or irritation of a tendon may take place in the foot. Pain or swelling can occur. Tendonitis often results from people trying to overcompensate for other conditions and inadvertently straining their tendon.

These conditions may be troubling for people at any age, but more so for seniors. As we age, our ability to heal, and do so quickly, lessens. It is for this reason that people who are prone to chronic foot and ankle injuries may want to invest in a medical alert system that includes fall detection. Alert1 offers several types of fall detection products. The options are: In-the-Home + Fall Detection, On-the-Go + Fall Detection, and In-the-Home + On-the-Go + Fall Detection.

If a fall detection-enabled medical alert system perceives a fall, the device will automatically send an alert to the 24/7/365 Command Center to summon help. Members can decide who the Command Center agents contact in an emergency – whether it be an EMT, family member, neighbor, doctor, etc. 

Falling is a major consideration for seniors who live with foot and ankle problems. Alert1’s fall detection technology ensures that medical responders can assist members at a moment’s notice.

Along with fall detection technology, Alert1 offers other options to suit a range of senior needs and lifestyles. These include the In-the-Home Medical Alert button and On-the-Go button. Both of these devices include 24/7, U.S.-based emergency monitoring. Help buttons are showerproof and compatible with pacemakers. In the event of a fall or other frightening emergency, a trained professional will remain on the line with members until appropriate care arrives. 

A medical alert system is just one consideration when you suffer from foot and ankle issues. There are multiple lifestyle adjustments that you can explore. A doctor may recommend trying the following changes:

• Wear Shoes: It may seem like a given, but the pandemic has altered everyone’s daily routine. Make sure to wear shoes, especially if you are carrying or moving an object. You do not want to drop anything on your feet. Slippers are a good option if you observe certain cleanliness or cultural practices. Certain slippers also offer individuals better arch support.

• Take Stock of Your House: Has clutter piled up during the pandemic? Make sure to do a walk-through of your house. You can identify certain areas that may be dangerous if you are moving quickly and not paying attention.
  

• Stretch Your Feet and Ankles: Doing exercises can improve circulation, which helps to ease the recovery process. These exercises also help improve your flexibility. Flexibility can aid in your reaction time and help you to avoid potential injuries.
  

• Use Mats: Consider purchasing gel mats for around the house. You can place them in the kitchen, at a standing desk, or anywhere else that you frequently stand in the house. Hard, bare floors do a number on our joints. A thick, multi-layered mat can provide some additional cushioning and support.

Alert1’s medical alert services can complement other medical and lifestyle guidance. As you make any adjustments to your environment, our products can act as an additional layer of protection. Looking at our frequently asked questions page can also help guide you when you make any product decisions. 

Seniors, like many other age demographics, are experiencing a rise in foot and ankle-related issues during the pandemic. But, more than other age demographics, seniors must be more mindful of the long-term implications of falling.

A medical alert system can help mitigate the severity of injuries by getting users the help that they need fast. As our senior population grows, so does the number of people who live with foot and ankle pain. Medical alert devices can help seniors during falls or any other emergency situations, providing peace of mind that help is standing by and is just a button-press away.