MedScope: Medical Alert Systems

We hear all the time about the “graying” of America, as Baby Boomers get set to retire. And these Baby Boomers, for the most part, plan to stay put in their own homes. In fact, a recent AARP survey examining the opinions of Americans over the age of 45 on current and future housing situations found that the majority plans to stay in their current residence for as long as possible.

Combine this information with the Center for Disease Control’s findings that falls are the leading cause of injury deaths among people 65 years and older and 60% of these fatal falls happen at home, and it is no wonder that there is a growing trend among homebuilders and remodelers to create “universal design” living spaces.

Universal design homes need to accommodate occupants with decreased health, vision, mobility, hearing, dexterity and income. There are a number of ways that new houses can be designed, or existing houses can be remodeled, to make life easier for people with such limitations, whether they be elderly or a teenager with a ski injury. And the bonus is that such modifications usually make the home more comfortable for everyone. The concept of universal design works for all.

Most issues related to universal design fit into one of three categories: convenience, safety/health, and economy. Designs for convenience include anything that makes life easier, such as automatic garage door openers, lighted switches, lever handles for doors and faucets, wheelchair ramps, home elevators and stair lifts, wider halls and doors, intercom systems, taller toilets, openings without raised thresholds (including shower stalls), among many others.

Safety considerations include adjusting water temperature to avoid scalding injuries, good lighting, installation of smoke detectors, placement of handrails and grab-bars, removal of slippery throw rugs and generally reducing clutter and obstacles.
RE: Life Alert  Lifeline Life Line

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Before opening your home to any service provider, including in-home caregivers, you should take a few steps to make sure that you protect yourself and the caregiver. Taking these steps does not demonstrate a lack of trust in the provider, nor does it mean that they are not trustworthy. It is simply logical to make sure that you look after your assets. You should place any of the following items in a safety deposit box or other secure location:

• Small valuables

• Irreplaceable or sentimental items

• Small family heirlooms

Let family members know that you have removed these items from the house and that they are safe. By taking these simple steps, you can make sure that you, your family, and your caregiver do not have to face the problems that arise when precious items are misplaced.
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Today in the New York Times, a story featured the plight of one New York elder couple insisting on staying at home.  It is proof that American seniors, despite concerns with general and mental health, want to be where they are most comfortable: in their homes. 

A portion of the article reads as follows:
“Mr. Allen has been hobbled since he fractured his spine in a fall down the stairs, and expects to lose his driver’s license when it comes up for renewal when he turns 85. Mrs. Allen recently broke four ribs getting out of bed. Neither can climb a ladder to change a light bulb, or crouch under the kitchen sink to fix a leak. Stores and public transportation are an uncomfortable hike.
So the Allens have banded together with their neighbors, who are equally determined to avoid being forced from their homes by dependence. Along with more than 100 communities nationwide — a dozen of them here in Washington and its suburbs — they are part of a movement to make neighborhoods comfortable places to grow old, both for elderly men and women in need of help but not ready for assisted living, and for baby boomers anticipating the future.
‘We are totally dependent on ourselves,’ Mr. Allen said. ‘But I want to live in a mixed community, not just with the elderly. And as long as we can do it here, that’s what we want.’
The Allens’ wish to live out their lives in familiar surroundings, shared by almost nine in 10 Americans over age 60, according to numerous polls, may soon become a reality. Their group has registered as a nonprofit association, developed a business plan based on membership dues and begun lining up providers of transportation, home repair, companionship, daily security check-ins and other services to meet their needs at home for as long as possible.
Urban planners and senior housing experts say that this movement, organized by residents rather than government agencies or social services providers, could make ‘aging in place’ safe and affordable for the majority of elderly people. Many of these communities are calling themselves ‘villages,’ playing on the notion that it takes a village to raise a child and also support the aged in their decline. They are expected to open this fall on Capitol Hill, in Cambridge, Mass., New Canaan, Conn., Palo Alto, Calif., and Bronxville, N.Y .
‘Providers don’t always need to do things for the elderly,” said Philip McCallion, director of the Center for Excellence in Aging Services at the State University of New York at Albany. “There are plenty of ideas how to do this within the aging community.’”
Did you see those numbers?  A full 90% of seniors over the age of 60 want to stay at home.

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Boomers Helping Senior Parent
• Most (63%) say they are actively involved in providing some kind of help or assistance to a parent (over half say they also have children under age 25).
• Household maintenance (40%), transportation (34%), medical issues (33%), help with financial decisions (28%) and financial support (19%) were the most frequent types of support reported by Boomers.
• Baby Boomers with children are more likely than those without children to provide non-financial assistance to their parents, including help with household maintenance, medical issues and medication, and transportation.
• Baby Boomers without children are more likely than those with children to provide financial assistance to their parents, including making purchasing or financial decisions and providing financial support.
Boomers Have Not Turned to Technology to Help Parents
• Like seniors, Baby Boomers are open to new technologies that would help seniors age in place but very few are actively seeking these products.
• Half of Baby Boomers (49%) are interested in new technologies that would help them monitor their parents’ safety and wellbeing.
• 51% also think there are technology products available aimed at meeting the needs of seniors.
• 50% would be open to the use of ambient technology - specifically, sensors - to monitor the health and safety of their aging parents.
• However, just 14% of Baby Boomers have actually looked for any technology solutions that would help them ensure the health and safety of their parents.

Part 4 of 4
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Seniors Open to New Solutions
The study examined seniors’ attitudes toward technologies that enable an independent life.
• Virtually all seniors are comfortable using the telephone, while almost half of seniors are comfortable using personal computers, the  internet and email.
• Not surprisingly, seniors’ comfort level with computer technology decreased in older age groups, particularly those over 75 years of age.
• 65% of seniors say they are open to or would like to use new technologies that enable independence.
• More than half (54%) would consider the use of ambient technology in their homes - specifically, sensors - to monitor their health and safety.
Boomers Worried about Aging Parents
The study also examined the attitudes of Baby Boomers who have at least one living parent.
• The vast majority (94%) of Boomers say it is important that their senior parents be able to age in place; however, 79% are concerned about their parents’ ability to do so, and 57% are very concerned.
• 82% fear their parents might be mistreated if they move into a nursing home, and 89% worry their parents would be saddened by the loss of their independence.
• 79% say they are worried that their parents would not like living in a nursing home, and 70% are concerned their parents will be scared to move out of their homes.
• Parents’ health is another major issue of concern for Baby Boomers, with 77% saying so; 75% also say they are worried about the potential for falls/injuries (75%) and their parents’ ability to drive (58%).
• Most Boomers are not concerned that their parents might someday be a burden to them: 51% say they are not concerned that they may have to financially support their parents; 60% say they are not concerned that their parents might have to move in with them.

Part 3 of 4…
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A Medical Alarm System consists of an Emergency Communicator, which is the size of an answering machine and connects the same way in about 5 minutes.  It is powered by electricity, but will fully function for 16 to 24 hours on a battery back-up system should the customer experience a power outage. The battery in the pendant (transmitter) will last for a full 10 years, or 50,000 pushes.  The transmitters, available in either necklace or wristband style, are completely waterproof and will function up to 800 feet from the home. 

Should an emergency arise, the customer may simply press the button on the lightweight, waterproof pendant.  A response operator will immediately establish two-way voice communication.  Upon telling the operator the nature of the situation, he or she will dispatch the appropriate responder (ambulance, police or fire department), or, if requested, simply notify a nearby neighbor or family member. The response operators are available 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

If the Response operator can’t hear you, or you are unable to speak:
The operator will dispatch your local emergency personnel immediately.
The operator will continue to talk to you until help actually walks through your front door.
Next, the operator will call your list of responders. These are people, friends or family, who preferably live within five minutes of your home. The operator will call them so that they can meet the emergency personnel at your door.  This way, they don’t have to break in to gain access. If responders are not a solution for you, a good alternative or addition, is to use a Lock Box that has your house key locked in it. This box can hang on your door knob or be attached to the door frame.  When the emergency personnel is called, they are given the combination to the lock box.  They can then use the combination to retrieve your key from inside the box.

Once help is on the way, another operator will start calling a list of your family members or friends that you have previously chosen to be notified.  The operator will calmly explain the situation to them.  These systems are also referred to as Life Alert systems.

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An emergency alert system can provide safety and security for seniors while allowing them to live independently. Most of these systems consist of a button on a pendant worn around the neck or wrist and a device hooked into the telephone system. Before you enroll your parents or loved ones in one of these programs, there are a few things you need to know.

Contract terms
Check into the terms of the contract. Read the fine print. Some contracts last for three years, even if the person moves into a care facility or dies. Some will let you cancel the contract, but require six months notice.

Select the services
Most systems offer multiple services. People tend to think of the fall sensor alert when they think of these services because of a popular advertisement. The devices also offer speaker phone functions with remote dialing and answering, reminder services, two-way voice communication, smoke detection, gas detection, medication dispensers, door and window contacts, and motion sensors.

Power
Does the system have a battery backup? How long with the batteries last, in the event of an extended power outage?

Talk to the sales people
Call the company. Find out if the sales pitch is high-pressure. Don’t give your relatives’ phone number until you’ve made the decision. Seniors may be confused, if the sales person says they’ve talked with you and you want them to order the system. If you are uncomfortable with the sales pitch or people, select another company.

Pricing
Check on the pricing for the features you want. Prices vary between companies and between plans for the same company.

Customer Service
Call the service center before you sign up for the service. Are they responsive? Do the customer representatives sound as if they care about the customer?

Complaints
Check with the Better Business Bureau and other consumer organizations for complaints against the company you’ve selected.

Payment
Use a credit card rather than have a deduction from your bank account. In case of a payment dispute, the credit card company can withhold payment and handle any problems.

Talk to your parents
The hardest part of the process may be to convince your parents that the service will be beneficial to them. Explain the features of the Lifeline system.. Show them how the system will let them maintain their independence and allow them to stay in their own house longer. Also tell them that it’s more for your peace of mind than anything else. Let them think they are doing it for your benefit.

Train your parents
Show them how to use the Life Alert system. Help them practice using the various features.  Once a good system is in place, you and your parents will be able to rest easier.

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