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Do you believe your parents need a PERS device (personal emergency response system)? They might need some convincing; research shows it’s not something you should expect them to decide on their own.
The Senior Safety and Connectedness Survey from U.S. News and World Report found that only 7% of users of medical alert devices chose to use them on their own. Most were convinced to use the emergency button alarms by spouses, loved ones, doctors, or other medical professionals.
But once they had the device, they were quite pleased with it – 93% of users say they feel much safer with a medical alert.1
Those numbers underscore the need to talk to senior or elderly parents about fall detection alarms and how they could benefit everyone – from the person who needs the help to the friends and family who need the peace of mind.
Do Senior Parents Really Need a Medical Alert?
Anyone can benefit from medical alert technology, with some rare exceptions.
You may already know that medical alert devices are ideal for those who are at a greater risk of falls, and that includes most seniors. As we get older, the odds of falling go up, and so do the odds of getting injured as a result of that fall. The CDC says that one out of four seniors falls each year. And falling down once doubles your chances of falling again.
There’s also a frightening concept known as “the long lie.” That refers to the time after a serious fall when a person is lying on the floor, waiting for help to arrive. According to Physiopedia, the long lie is defined as lying on the floor for an hour or more and comes with the potential for serious complications, including dehydration, hypothermia, muscle damage, pressure injuries, and even pneumonia. Delayed medical treatment during that time can lead to even more severe damage from fractures or a traumatic brain injury they might have been sustained during the fall.2
That’s one reason why these systems are ideal for those who spend a good amount of time alone. The last thing anyone wants is a medical emergency that renders them unable to reach out for help. A medical alert system with fall detection is a fantastic way to make sure senior parents never have to worry about that problem.
Those who have certain medical conditions can also benefit, as pressing a panic button when things go wrong could save their life. For instance, those with diabetes might deal with sudden hypoglycemia that needs immediate attention, or those who have a history of seizures could easily fall and hit their head on the way down. Those who are at risk for heart attack, stroke, fainting, and any other medical emergency can use an emergency alert button to help them stay safe.
Stating the Case for Medical Alert Systems
If you are coming to your parents with concerns about their health and hoping they will use medical alert wireless systems to help them, you have probably already thought it through. But this might be entirely new to them. It’s possible they don’t even know for sure what a medical alert button does or how it could benefit them.
Here are some ways to approach the conversation.
· Educate yourself on the systems. Know the ins and outs of Alert1’s medical devices before you go into the conversation with your parents. You can explain to them how the alarms work and how easy they are to use. If they worry about the expense, you can also assure them that they are quite affordable.
· Bring it up at the right time. Ideally, you would bring up the idea of using medical alerts well before anything bad happens. Bring it up as soon as you start to wonder if they might need a button alarm one day. But in many cases, PERS are not on the radar until a serious fall or other medical emergency occurs. If you are presenting the option in the aftermath of something serious, use your very real concerns about their health to encourage them to take precautions and wear a medical alert pendant, just in case something happens again.
· Stay positive while stating your case. Approach the situation with an air of empowerment. These devices are meant to enhance someone’s life and bring about more independence, not less! It’s important your parents understand that wearing a fall alert can provide them with the opportunity to get help right away in the event of emergency, and that can lead to a better medical outcome and extend their ability to live independently.
· Assess the risk of falls. If you aren’t sure just how prone your parents are to falls, use the Falls Free CheckUp from the National Council on Aging to help you determine the risk.3 Take the test yourself with your concerns about your parents in mind, and then ask them to take it too. It might be an eye-opener for them and help them ease into the idea of wearing a medical alarm.
· Show them the options. Medical alarms aren’t the bulky, unattractive devices they used to be. Today’s button alerts are much more appealing and user-friendly. Even charging the devices is incredibly easy and doesn’t take time away from their day. They can choose from buttons on a pendant, necklace, bracelet, or wristband. Alert1 even offers a sporty watch that includes an SOS button!
· Remind them that’s it for more than falls. Think of PERS as another type of security system. Your parents can press the button for any reason – a fender bender, a sudden medical emergency, a household accident, a fire in the home, or even if they hear something outside that frightens them.
· Enlist help. If headstrong parents won’t listen to you concerning safety, perhaps they will listen to their doctor or other medical professional. If this is the case, don’t take it personally – some people simply need a little more convincing from someone in a position of authority. No matter who talks your parents into using a protective alert, you can breathe a sigh of relief if they say yes.
What if They Refuse to Use It?
Your parents might accept a personal alarm button, but that doesn’t mean they will use it. If that happens, you’ll need to have the conversation again about how important the device really is.
Some of the most common issues might include:
· They don’t feel they need it. They might believe they can use their cell phone to get help or that they can reach out to a neighbor. But even the healthiest people can fall victim to a sudden medical event. For instance, someone who has a stroke will not be able to press the buttons on a phone or walk over to the neighbor’s house to get assistance. They need something fast and simple to help them right there, where they are.
· It’s uncomfortable or gets in the way. If they are using a medical alert pendant or necklace, they might find it cumbersome when they are doing certain things, such as exercising or cooking. If that’s the case, a medical alert bracelet or wristband is the answer. It’s even possible to clip the button alert onto a waistband. For the fashion-conscious, the medical alert watch is an attractive option that offers up more than just protection.
· It makes them feel old. Some seniors might feel embarrassed to wear a medical alert button, especially when they are in public. Remind them that the button actually makes them look responsible and realistic by ensuring that help is literally a fingertip away.
· It brings up frightening thoughts. It’s helpful to point out that the button should lessen any fears because it provides an opportunity to reach for help at a moment’s notice.
· They don’t want to bother anyone. Many seniors worry about becoming a burden, even to people they have never met. Remind them that waiting out an emergency could have deadly consequences, and the professionals at the monitoring center are there to send help any time it is needed.
Keep in mind that talking with your parents about a medical alert might take more than one discussion. Expect an ongoing conversation. Stay patient and remind them of the valuable points of a system from Alert1. And don’t forget to remind them that it isn’t just for them – it’s for you, too. The peace of mind you get from knowing they are safe and secure can make your life easier, and that fact might be enough to make your parents say give an enthusiastic “yes” to 24/7 protection from an Alert1 med alert.
