5 Common Conditions That Threaten a Senior’s Independence
This post is also available in: Français (French)
Aging in place is the dream of practically every older adult. Being able to maintain their independence during their golden years is not just a true testament of their strength, but it’s also a crucial element that determines their overall happiness as well.
Although many seniors wish to age in place, serious medical conditions often interfere with these wishes, threatening their independence and lives as a whole. In fact, around 80% of older adults have at least one chronic condition, according to the National Council on Aging. And even though the condition itself might not render elderly individuals homebound, their fears prevent them from going out.
The good news, however, is that these medical conditions don’t have to keep seniors from living in their own homes. With a medical alert system, aging in place can be an achievable reality, even if someone suffers from one of these five most common medical conditions affecting seniors:
Hearing Impairment
According to a recent study, reduced hearing significantly increases the risk of tripping and falling for all senior citizens. Trouble is, seniors may have a hard time standing up or calling for help, especially since they experience muscle loss as they age.
That’s why medical alarm systems that provide a fall detection feature – which signals for help when the wearer collapses – are beneficial for those suffering from hearing impairments.
In simple terms, fall detection with a medical alert system works either by pushing a fall alert button (as is the case with Ton Ange Gardien wrist watch) or by automatically detecting a fall. The latter is only useful because sometimes, the seniors who have fallen might lose consciousness.
The automated fall detection feature with medical alert systems usually functions with technology that combines accelerometers, algorithms, and sensors that signal if the wearer has fallen. Fall detection algorithms presume that you fall and don’t move for 60 secondes!
Pushing a fall alert SOS button stays the best choice for now. But technologie is evolving fast.
Dementia
While normal forgetfulness doesn’t usually cause more than a few hiccups in a senior’s routine, dementia can, unfortunately, cause much more serious issues. A person suffering from late-stage dementia, for example, may forget to take their medicine, leave the stove on, or get lost on their way home from the grocery store.
Even if a senior suffering from dementia wanders, however, their medical alert button can be used by bystanders to call for help using the emergency button. The family member or caregiver that takes the call are ready to help, and they have the dementia patient’s full medical history on file so they can call for help and dispatch an ambulance for the senior in an emergency.
Additionally, Ton Ange Gardien wrist watch has a GPS tracking feature, which enables the wearer’s loved ones to find out where they are when outside, if necessary.
Diabetes
According to the American Diabetes Association, there is a high percentage of elderly people who suffer from diabetes in the U.S.: 25.2% to be exact. Not only do diabetics need to pay close attention to their diet, but they must also follow a strict medication schedule.
That’s why a medication reminder tool that comes with Ton Ange Gardien proves to be invaluable, not to mention that it spares them from constantly looking at the clock. Simple and affordable, this tool will help diabetics stay on track with their medication. It’s also important to note that diabetics are also at much greater risk of falling than others, especially if they experience weakness or fainting spells. A fall detection feature is an extra safety net that signals for help even if the wearer is unconscious.
Parkinson’s Disease
Each year, over 60,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and around 1% of people over the age of 60 have this illness. People suffering from this condition often need around-the-clock assistance as they may experience stiffness, tremors, and even a loss of balance, but in most cases, it’s unrealistic for them to be supervised all the time.
Luckily, a medical alarm system like Ton Ange Gardien wrist watch, acts as a reliable safety net for Parkinson’s patients.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s is a growing problem that affects the lives of millions of seniors worldwide. Those suffering from Alzheimer’s often require 24/7 attention, otherwise, they might wander off or unwillingly cause a fire or another life-threatening situation.
Although Alzheimer’s disease is a very serious condition that poses many threats to seniors, Ton Ange Gardien provides solutions to these problems in multiple ways. Mobile SOS help buttons combined with GPS/LBS and WiFi trackers that leave digital breadcrumbs, allowing to pinpoint the person’s exact location so a family member or another caregiver can be sent to find them.
While medical alert systems are designed to help those with serious conditions, you don’t have to be diagnosed with a condition to reap the benefits of owning Ton Ange Gardien wrist watch. It’s important to remember that medical alert systems benefit anyone who wishes to remain in their own home as they age and maintain their independence.