Helping Seniors Live Independently

Most seniors want to be independent. There are a variety of options available to help seniors stay on their own, including, independent living facilities.   But what happens when a senior wants to stay in their own home?  

How do you help your aging parent or grandparent stay at home and live a healthy productive life?   Here are some things you can do to make sure your aging parent can live on their own.

Senior Proof Their Home

Inspect their house regularly.   Make sure there are no hazards they can trip on.   Assess your loved one’s needs.   Do they need a bar in the shower or bath to steady themselves?   Do the shelves in the kitchen need to be lowered to reach items?   Kitchens and bathrooms are the most commonplace for falls.   Look around for any hazards that may cause a potential problem.

Companionship

Being able to socialize is an important part of being a senior.   Your aging parent should spend time with friends and family.   If   your parent can’t drive, make arrangements to take them where they need to go.   It helps with both mental and physical well-being.

Get a caregiver

If your aging parent or grandparent is still very active, they may not need a caregiver.   Some seniors though may need help doing certain things like grocery shopping, cleaning or cooking.   If a family member can’t check-in with them each day to make sure they don’t need anything, you may want to think about getting a caregiver.   There are places that specialize in finding caregivers.   The National Office of the Aging can help with information.   Many states also offer payment to caregivers and can help you get one if a relative is not able to help.

Medication Dispensing System

If your loved one needs to take medication, it may be a barrier to them living alone.   Medication Dispensing Systems (MDS) can help make sure seniors get their medication on time.   An MDS works by giving an alarm and dispensing medication.   It can be programmed and stocked ahead of time and even let caregivers know when medication is not taken.

Medical Alert System

An alert system helps by notifying trained personnel and family members of a fall or other health impairment right away.   Getting help as soon as possible is key to faster recovery time and better outcomes.   It also gives families peace of mind that their loved one will be taken care of quickly and efficiently if an emergency were to happen.

Living alone can be risky for seniors who is have health issues with no help nearby.   Families often worry about leaving their aging parents alone at home.   What if something happens?   Here are some facts on how a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) can help.

Statistics tell the story of how common falls are in seniors.  

[if !supportLists] ✔ CDC figures show that 1in 4 adults 65 and over fall at some point.*

[if !supportLists] ✔ The Hospital Discharge Survey states that 95% of falls result in hip injuries and most of those are women. **

[if !supportLists] ✔ The National Council for the Aging estimates that falls will cost approximately 67.7 billion by 2020.  

Studies indicate that falls lead to more admissions into nursing homes in over 55% of the senior population.   This means that a senior may be stuck in a nursing home after they fall because they are at risk of falling again.  

Admissions to nursing homes are on the rise, and the cost of being in a nursing home is high. It costs a staggering $89,297 for one year to house a senior in a semi-private room.   Each year the cost goes up and by 2028, it is estimated to rise to over $120,000 a year.

Falls are not the only issues seniors face. As the senior population gets older, they may also have more health problems (such as heart attacks or strokes).  

A Personal Emergency Response System allows your aging parent or grandparent to leave the home.   Whether they are out in the garden or out with friends a portable alert system can keep track of them through cellular service and GPS so no matter where they are, they can get help.

If you have parents or grandparents who want to stay in their home, there are things you can do to help them live safely.   The key is preparation.   Make their home safe from falls and see that their needs are being met.   If they have a medical condition, are unstable when walking or sometimes wander out of the house, put a medical alert system in their home.   By having an alert system in place, your loved can have the quality of life they desire, and you can have peace of mind knowing that in case of an emergency, your loved one will be taken care of.

How Medihill® Can Help

Medihill specializes in providing Personal Emergency Response Systems and Remote Patient Monitoring. We have many products to help seniors live longer independently in their homes.

Medihill® Home PERS Landline

This state-of-the-art PERS landline model is compact and can be placed on a tabletop. Due to its ability to be customized, it’s perfect for anyone needing extra security.

Medihill® Home PERS Cellular

This model does not require a landline because it works like a cellular phone. It has all the same features as the Medihill® Home PERS landline model.

Medihill® Portable PERS

In addition to our tabletop models, we also carry mobile Personal Emergency Response Systems. This allows users to take the medical alert device with them wherever they go in and outside of the home.

Additional features include:

Fall Detection Technology

Pendant/Wrist Convertible Transmitter

Fall Detection Pendant

For more information about all our landline, cellular, and mobile Personal Emergency Response Systems devices and their features, contact us now at 1-855-633-4445 or Order Online. We would love to help you feel safer everywhere you are.