As people age, they are more prone to injuries occurring in their home. Common injuries that affect senior citizens are falls that occur in the home. In addition, medical emergencies often occur while a person is at home, and can be life threatening especially if immediate medical attention is not taken. Relying on other individuals being around to call for emergency services is a risky proposition, as for example if a fall happens in the shower it may take hours for someone to realize what has happened. Every minute is vital during injuries and medical emergencies.
While falls are a common cause of injury, there are several steps one can take to help prevent falling in the first place. These fall prevention tips include staying fit and active, wearing sensible shoes, removing tripping hazards from the walkways in the home, and ensuring walkways in the home have ample lighting. In addition, ensuring that stairways have hand rails, steps have non-slip treads, toilets are at the appropriate height, and grab bars are in the shower and tub helps to prevent falls.
In addition to the fall prevention tips listed above, it may be important to consider other ways of improving safety at home. To offset the dangers of living or being at home alone as one ages, a home medical alert system could be considered as an important component of living safely and independently at home.
A medical alert system is simply a system that enables a person to push a button, typically waterproof and worn somewhere on the body, which causes the medical alert company to respond typically within 20 seconds. The company is able to provide assistance over the phone, contact friends and relatives, and notify emergency services personnel if required.
Medical alert systems are appropriate for people who live alone, who are 65 years of age or older, have fallen in the past 3 years, who are worried about falling in the shower, and who have any health issues which could potentially require use of an ambulance. A medical alert system can provide peace of mind for seniors and their families, and can help keep seniors living in their own home independently.
Visit [http://www.MedAlertSystems.us] for more information on medical alert systems.
Jamie McAdams has worked in home health care and has worked with senior citizens in-home.
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