Safety and security are important considerations at any age but especially for older Australians. Recent studies predict that by 2056 more than 24 per cent of the population will be aged 65 years and over[1], making safety at home an issue that will only continue to grow.
Living privately in the comfort of your own home and remaining independent are values that all of us hold dearly, but I can understand why some family members worry. Regardless of whether you’re living with a partner, family or alone, getting older presents certain risks such as sudden illness or potentially a fall. While these can range from minor accidents to serious health issues, often the most important thing for family members is knowing that you will be able to contact a friend, relative or other service for assistance if need be.
Many people that I talk to don’t realise that alarm systems are used not only for protecting your home but also for personal safety. If you have limited mobility or suffer from an illness, being able to easily raise an alarm for help is of vital importance.
Personal emergency response systems, such as ADT’s IndiPendant, can provide users with the confidence to maintain an independent lifestyle, helping you to stay in your home longer. A lightweight, waterproof alarm worn as a pendant or wristband, and a monitoring box that plugs into the home phone line is all it takes to be able to raise an alarm from anywhere in and around the house, at any time. Once an alarm has been activated, operators in the ADT Security Response Centre can notify a nominated contact, whether it be a family member, carer, health care professional, or if necessary, an ambulance.
I’ve received hundreds of emails and seen first hand the difference a personal alarm can make to someone’s life. The peace of mind that comes from knowing that someone is always on call to help is really something special.
Have you or a loved one experienced a situation where you wished it had been easier to call for help? Please share your story with us.
[1] ABS, Australian Social Trends, ‘Future population growth and ageing’, March 2009
No comments:
Post a Comment