As you grow older, you’ll find that tools and technology really start to make your life easier. Whether it’s an electric can opener, a cane, or a pair of reading glasses, one small device can make a huge difference in your day.

The tools you’ll need will depend on your own personal situation, of course. One senior might benefit from a riser chair, while another could need grab bars in the bathroom more.

But one device that almost every senior needs is a wearable panic button. This little piece of tech, worn as a pendant or belt clip, helps fight the high risk of falls that elderly people face. And it makes sure that, if a fall or other emergency happens, you’re not stuck lying on the floor hoping that help will come.

How does a wearable panic button work, and how does it help to protect seniors? Read on to learn all about this crucial safety tool.

What is a wearable panic button?

Put simply, a wearable panic button is a little device with a simple button on it. If you have a health emergency, a fall, or any other crisis, you simply press and hold the button. The device will call for help right away.

With a wearable panic button, you’ll never be in a situation where you desperately need assistance, but no-one is around.

Sometimes, older people think they can rely on a cell phone for safety in these situations. But a cell phone often won’t be nearby during a fall in the shower – whereas a good panic button should be showerproof, so you can keep it with you anywhere.

There’s also no guarantee that a cell phone will be at hand during a fall or medical emergency anywhere else in the home. It might end up on a countertop, not reachable by an elderly person who has fallen.

It’s also important to consider that a senior may not always be able to dial a phone during a crisis. During a medical emergency, they might only have a few moments of consciousness or clear thinking – not long enough to use a phone, but long enough to press a button.

Who might need a wearable panic button?

If you’re an older person or if you’re caring for an older loved one, you might wonder how to know when a panic button is needed. Let’s run down some points to consider.

Age and falls

The CDC says, “Falls among adults aged 65 and older are common, costly, and preventable.” So, if you’re over 64, that’s reason enough to get a panic button. Age is a major risk factor for falls.

Moreover, seniors may have a hard time getting up after a fall, especially if something is broken. And lying on the floor for a long time after a fall can add further medical problems to the situation, including hypothermia, pressure sores, and dehydration. It’s important to get help fast to keep harm to a minimum.

Other fall risk factors

There are many other medical conditions that worsen the dangers of a fall.

Weakening eyesight can make obstacles harder to see. And, in fact, all seniors have poorer night vision.
Decreasing muscle strength, stability, or mobility also can increase the likelihood of falls. So can neuropathy (numbness) in the feet from Type 2 diabetes.
Some medications can make older people feel faint or confused, which adds to fall dangers.
Older people who have weaker bones – as most older women do – are also more likely to fracture a bone when they fall, which could make it harder for them to get up.

Seniors with these conditions need to be aware of their chances of falling and take steps to keep themselves safe.

Chances of heart attack and stroke

If your doctor has told you that you’re at risk of heart attacks and strokes, you need to be prepared for these emergencies, too. Remember that if a crisis comes, you may not always have the time or ability to get to a phone and dial it – but you’ll need help as soon as possible. Pressing a single button is far quicker and may let you get help where a phone couldn’t. Plus, good wearable panic buttons like the SureSafeGo have other features that offer additional protection – as we’ll discuss below.

What you want in a wearable panic button

So, you know now that getting a panic button is a crucial safety step for older people.

But what should you look for when you’re selecting one?

Firstly, you’ll want to choose a wearable device rather than a device that works with a base unit plugged into a power outlet at home.

A wearable panic button stays with you when you go down to the end of the driveway to get the mail, or when you’re sitting out on your deck in the summer. With a wearable panic button like the SureSafeGo, you can talk directly through the device to explain your emergency even if you’re not indoors. In contrast, a fixed home unit may not be able to “hear” you when you try to say what’s wrong and you’re too far away.

Moreover, the additional features listed below can add further layers of safety to help protect you.

GPS tracking

A panic button with GPS tracking works when you’re out and about, whether that’s gardening in the back yard, taking the dog for a walk down the street, or shopping at a store. Either way, if a fall or other crisis happens, help is just one button press away.

Even better, a panic button with GPS tracking lets your family and friends keep tabs on your location. So, if you press the button for help while on a walk, they know exactly where to find you. And if you haven’t pressed the button but aren’t home when you were expected, they can check to see where you might be.

Fall detection

Automatic fall detection is truly an essential feature because it provides protection in cases where you can’t press the panic button. If you fall and hit your head, for example, you could be unconscious and unable to call for help.

A wearable panic button with automatic fall detection can help keep you safe in this situation. This type of device has sensors and an algorithm that are always working to judge whether a fall has happened. If the panic button does the math and decides that its wearer has fallen, it will call for help all by itself – no action needed from the button wearer at all.

This functionality is also important for seniors with medical conditions such as fainting that would prevent them from pressing a button to get help.

Family monitoring

Most panic button providers in the US only provide response center monitoring. This means that when you press your panic button, you’ll be connected to a person at a call center who will speak to you and work to help you.

At SureSafe, we offer family and friends monitoring. With this system, your panic button connects you to the phone of a loved one who will help. And the SureSafeGo stores up to five numbers, so it has backups to call even if several of its contacts don’t pick up.

Family and friends monitoring can be better for older people for several reasons. In an emergency, it can be more reassuring to speak to a family member or friend who understands your medical history and can offer personal words of comfort. Moreover, a family member who lives just down the road or across the street may be able to come and help you right away, reducing the amount of time you have to worry and wait.

High-quality, easy-to-use panic buttons from SureSafe

At SureSafe, we have over a decade of experience with providing great tech for keeping seniors safe – at great prices. And we’re proud of the SureSafeGo, our latest advance in medical alerts. The SureSafeGo is a convenient and reliable wearable panic button that’s perfect for any senior. Just wear it as a pendant or clip it on your belt, and you’ll have peace of mind from knowing you can call for help if an emergency occurs.

Want to know more about how our panic buttons work or whether they’re right for you? Our experts are here to help. You can reach out through our contact form or call our helpline at 888 540 7193 to get in touch. Alternatively, email us at [email protected], try our live chat or request a call back.