As a senior care provider, senior living facility, or home care agency owner, you know how crucial it is to ensure the safety and well-being of the seniors under your care. Implementing medical alert systems as a service can greatly improve a senior’s freedom and security.
However, there are several myths surrounding these devices that often create misconceptions and hesitation among senior care agency owners, caregivers and seniors alike.
In this article, we are debunking some of the most common myths that we hear and shed light on the reality of medical alert systems.
"For elderly people who live alone, becoming incapacitated and unable to get help is a common event, which usually marks the end of their ability to live independently," according to a research article published in the esteemed New England Journal of Medicine.
When emergency response is delayed, even minor issues can escalate into a full-blown crisis due to the prolonged time until treatment is administered. Studies have defined an at-risk period known as a "Long Lie" that can occur after a fall for older adults living alone. A long lie refers to instances where a senior is unable to independently rise from the ground for 60 minutes or more post-fall. Data shows approximately 20-30% of solo fallers aged 65 and over may experience a long lie if no one is available to assist them.
Unfortunately, being stranded on the floor for an extended duration increases the risks of serious health issues developing, such as dehydration, hypothermia, and pressure injuries due to immobility. Without a way to quickly summon help, a minor fall could dangerously escalate during this vulnerable window. Swift medical care may literally be life-saving for elders at risk of unattended falls.
For the millions of family caregivers facing financial strain, the benefits of a medical alert system greatly exceed the cost.
Over 60% of older adults report concerns related to privacy or security when it comes to in-home monitoring. Leading medical alert providers implement robust protocols to protect user privacy and independence according to all pertinent regulations. Carenami is fully HIPAA compliant, maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality for any protected health details. Our sleek, discreet devices automatically contact emergency responders only in the case of detected falls or an SOS button press by the user. No private health records or unnecessary personal details are disclosed without explicit consent.
At Carenami, we take senior privacy very seriously and ensure that our systems are designed to respect their autonomy while providing the necessary support when needed.
It is no secret that people are less inclined to embrace a new product if they believe it to be difficult or confusing to use. While medical alert systems have seen huge technological advancements in recent years, leading providers remain dedicated to ensuring intuitive usability for all users. Extensive research, testing and feedback from seniors has gone into crafting designs optimized for simplicity. Even seniors with minimal experience using devices can benefit from simple, user-friendly design.
Systems like Carenami's undergo rigorous human-centered development and usability testing over several years. The goal is to emphasize largely self-explanatory controls requiring minimal instruction manuals. Metrics like successful completion rates, errors made and subjective feedback help identify any confusion points to remedy before launch. Once released, comprehensive support materials such as quick start guides, setup wizards and training videos further ease the onboarding process. These aim to anticipate common questions and make even the first-time technology user feel supported.
Some senior caregiving professionals fear these systems may undermine their livelihoods. However, medical alert providers aim not to supplant vital human services but rather to enhance caregiving capabilities. Carenami’s medical alert systems aim to empower caregivers by enabling 360-degree care and complete protection for seniors, allowing them to age in their own homes for longer periods. Alerts empower timely response to issues like falls without relying on in-person presence. Agencies can therefore focus in-home visits on meaningful care duties while retaining peace of mind between schedules.
As an added set of eyes and ears, medical alert innovations give caregivers superhero-like powers to extend their reach - not replace it. Both technology and compassion play crucial roles in quality elder support.
While medical alert systems deliver advanced protection, installation simplicity remains a core design tenet. Leading providers not only make setup intuitive but directly assist the user.
Carenami, for example, offers free installation across the Californian Bay Area and Portland, Oregon. For areas not covered by Carenami’s free installation services, users can easily set up the systems themselves.
Carenami ensures plug-and-play designs coupled with detailed video tutorials guide every step. Around-the-clock phone support stands ready should issues arise.
Freedom of choice ranks high among priorities for aging tech users seeking to age independently. Aside from the older adult, many senior care providers fear long-term contracts and hidden cancellation policies that tie them permanently to ongoing fees.
While a few alert system providers are certainly guilty of this, Carenami's medical alert systems come without any long-term contracts. Agencies and their senior clients can cancel their subscription at any time, without any hassle or hidden fees.
It is unfortunate that some seniors have had distressing experiences with poorly designed alert devices that did not function properly during crucial emergency situations.
Carenami’s devices boast a 95%+ automatic fall detection rate. Aside from that, multiple redundancies such as 24-hour battery backup and 4G LTE connectivity likewise aim to eliminate any single point of failure. When an alert is raised, Carenami's response is handled by a professional emergency response center, certified to the highest TMA Five Diamond standard. Located in New Jersey, this facility operates a state-of-the-art command center staffed 24/7 by highly trained emergency medical dispatchers.
There is a misconception among some that introducing remote safety monitoring technologies like medical alert systems may reduce clients' needs for in-person caregiving services. Quite the opposite is true.
When seniors and their families see that a senior care provider is prioritizing their safety and well-being by incorporating cutting-edge technology like medical alert systems, they automatically perceive the senior care provider as a competent and caring senior agency who truly values their client’s well-being.
While investing in medical alert systems may initially seem like an additional expense for senior care agencies, the long-term benefits far outweigh the small cost.
By providing a comprehensive safety net for older adults, medical alert systems actually help reduce the risk of costly emergencies and hospitalizations.
This proactive approach not only safeguards an agency's bottom line but also enhances its reputation and builds trust with seniors and their families. As a result, senior care agencies experience increased business and referrals, leading to improved profitability.
While medical alert systems were once viewed with skepticism, modern innovations have proven their incredible value when it comes to promoting seniors' well-being, safety and independence. Many common myths surrounding these devices simply do not hold up to the facts.
When chosen carefully and implemented properly as part of a comprehensive care plan, alert systems become a trusted ally - not adversary - for both care professionals and clients alike. By keeping an open mind about technology's potential to complement quality human care, we give aging loved ones the gift of secure living with dignity in the place they call home.
Together, through collaboration between compassionate staff and intelligently designed assistance, we can help assure peaceful aging journeys. So the next time myths breed hesitation over vital security aids, remember that facts, trustworthy partnerships and care of the whole person are what really matter most. Our seniors deserve nothing less.
