Alarms for Seniors Living Alone: What to Look For

According to an AARP survey, more than three-quarters of older people would prefer to continue living in their own homes rather than moving to a care home or a family member’s home. And that makes sense – staying in your own home can have lots of benefits, like being near friends and family and living in a place that’s full of happy memories.

But if a senior ends up living alone in their home, they can also face risks. If they fall or have a medical emergency, there will be no-one around to help. The older person’s loved ones might not even realize that anything is wrong for hours or days.

This is exactly why medical alerts and alarms are so important for seniors who live alone. They give elderly people a way to get help fast in a crisis.

So, if you’re considering buying an alarm, what features should you look for? We’ve listed some crucial points to think about.

When might a senior need to use a medical alert or alarm?

In order to know what features you need in an alarm, you’ll need to know why an older person might need to call for help. Here are some top emergencies that seniors might face.

Falls

One emergency that all seniors need to prepare for is a fall. For a younger person, a fall might be no big deal. But for an elderly person, it’s actually the most common cause of injury in people aged 65 and up.

And older people are more likely to fall. In fact, in the USA, a quarter of people aged 65+ fall each year.

That’s why it’s wise for every elderly person and their family to have a plan about what they’ll do if the older person falls.

Health emergencies

Seniors are also more likely to have long-term health conditions, which means they’re also more vulnerable to medical emergencies. Heart attacks and strokes are a concern that all elderly people should be aware of, but particularly those with heart disease or high blood pressure. More minor issues like fainting due to medication side effects can also lead to injuries.

In all these cases, older people living alone will need a way to get help fast. Here are the medical alert features they'll want so they can do just that.

SOS or panic buttons

A simple one-touch button is the core feature of almost all medical alert systems. This button, sometimes known as an SOS or panic button, lets a senior summon help just by pressing and holding it for a few seconds. That’s far easier to use for an older person who’s dizzy, feeling sick, or about to pass out than a cell phone.

And a medical alert device is body-worn, so it’s always within reach – unlike a cell phone, which is useless if it’s up on a countertop when an elderly person has fallen.

Automatic fall detection

Today, many medical alert systems offer an add-on feature – automatic fall detection.

Let’s imagine an older person who trips and strikes their head as they fall. This person wouldn’t be able to press their SOS button because they are unconscious.

Here’s where automatic fall detection steps in. With this feature, sensors on the medical alert device feed into an algorithm that’s constantly checking for a fall. If the device sensors indicate a fall, the medical alert will send out a call for help all by itself. There’s no need for the device wearer to do anything at all.

Most medical alert providers charge an extra monthly fee for automatic fall detection. But at SureSafe, we feel it’s essential, so we include it in our SureSafeGo device at no additional cost.

Mobile medical alerts

Some medical alert devices have two parts – a wearable SOS button and a base device that plugs into an outlet in the home. The SOS button will only work within range of that base device. So, for example, if a senior is gardening or at the end of their driveway getting the mail, they might be too far away from the base device to get help.

This type of medical alert can be useful for older people who are bed-bound. But for most others, a mobile device is necessary. This is typically a battery-powered medical alert device that has no base unit, and it typically works anywhere it can pick up cell phone signals.

GPS tracking

Mobile medical alerts often come with another game-changing feature – GPS tracking.

So far, we’ve talked about situations where an older person has a fall or other emergency while alone in their home or near their home.

But what if they’re alone walking their dog on an icy morning and fall on the sidewalk? What if they’re driving to see a friend, pull over to the side of the road because they’re feeling sick, and then suffer a heart attack?

In these situations, sending out a call for help is crucial, but it may not be enough. How can helpers know where to find the elderly person and assist them?

That’s why GPS tracking is a must-have feature for medical alerts. When friends, family, and emergency services know where a sick senior is, they can get to the older person faster and provide assistance sooner.

Easy-to-use and affordable senior medical alerts

A medical alert is the perfect way to balance an older person’s need for independence with their need for safety. A simple, reliable alarm or medical alert can make all the difference during emergencies.

We know this at SureSafe because we’re experienced providers of safety solutions through the US and UK. With our simple yet effective medical alerts, an older person who lives alone doesn’t have to feel alone. In fact, the elderly person can speak to their helper right through the device, getting comfort and reassurance while help is on its way.

Curious to know more? Our expert team is here to help, and there are loads of ways to get in touch. You can use our contact form or call us at 888 540 7193. Alternatively, send an email to [email protected], talk to us through our live chat, or request a call back.