1. Around 2,000,000
people in the UK use personal alarms. By the time you’ve finished reading these
points many would have pressed their pendants asking for help. As a result some
avoid sustained injuries, some will be reassured and some could literally save
their life.
2. With regret pendants
are stigmatized and some who can benefit from them avoid using them. This is
partly because of the way pendants are portrayed in popular TV shows, such as
in Gavin & Stacy. In fact, in
real life when people get to that stage pendants will not be of much use to
them.
3. Many of those
who have a pendant may go for months without using it. This can give them a
sense that they don’t need it. So they may not wear it or not even be aware of
its whereabouts. Therefore, many are not able to use their pendants when they
need it most.
4. The data that is
passed to the call centre by clients or their families are vital in arranging
help at the time of emergencies. Many people forget that they are the key
contact for a friend, relative or a neighbour. Many may change their Key Safe’s
PIN number without informing the call centre. The key holder may relocate to a different
city or even a different country. So it’s important for the call centre to have
up-to-date information about a client.
5. Pendants need to
be tested regularly. First, this is how their batteries are charged. Second,
many older people may lose capacity to even press their pendants. This helps them
and their families make a decision about using automatic sensors or planning
alternative contingencies. Or even considering other forms of care.
6. Most new
personal alarm units are modular meaning other sensors can be added to the
system as and when required, for example, motion detectors.
7. Mistakes can
happen! Some providers program personal alarms remotely and sent them to their
clients via post. If there is no rigorous quality checks in place people may
receive an alarm that is destined for another person. The recipient of such an
alarm can call for help. However, help will be sent to the person for whom the
alarm was originally programmed! So it is vital to test the pendants when
received through post and ask the operator specifically to check the data
they’re holding for that personal alarm on their system.
8. In 2006 central
government allocated £80 million to kick start the application of assistive
technology in supporting older people remain independent at their own home.
This was nationally referred to as Telecare. Reams of paper were consumed to
write telecare strategies, teams were set up to implement those strategies and
many service users wondered what telecare were. While some local authorities
managed to set up innovative telecare projects many did not move beyond
personal alarms. This is partly because personal alarms are the bread and
butter of telecare! So if you or a family member is referred by a health care
worker to a Telecare team don’t expect anything complex. It can simply be a
personal alarm! Or a personal alarm with a few more devices that you probably
know . These can be a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector or a mat that
is known as bed occupancy sensor. They all function through personal alarm unit
and link a resident to the call centre the same way a pendant does. However,
they react to the environment automatically.
To see the range of services that we provide please visit: our website
To see the range of services that we provide please visit: our website
very informative and thoughtful!
ReplyDeletethanks
Thank you very much Sally for your comment.
ReplyDeleteThe big issue about personal alarms is not wearing the trigger when it is really needed.
ReplyDeleteWith every alarm it is necessary to offer a wrist worn trigger wit{ integral fall sensor - the AutoCall - this is then worn 24/7 by the user for the maximum personal protection at all times.
Remember the first fall may be the last one if it remains undiscovered.
Thanks Tim for your comment. Very relevant point. Autocall pendants are the way forward. and of course, wearing it all time! Having choice to wear it on wrist facilitates this. With our experience those with a previous experience of falling never forget to wear their pendants.
ReplyDeleteExcellent article on personal alarms. Personal alarms are great for seniors as well as women. A personal alarm that can be worn on the wrist is even better. A pesonal don't have to worry about leaving on without it.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.absolutesecuritystore.com/personal-alarms-for-women.html
I am very glad to get it, Really big help for me, Thanks for share...
ReplyDelete