Home medical alerts may be useful for new generation of caregivers
February 8, 2011
As the baby boomer population ages, there is expected to be a growing need for long-term care options among families. The number of seniors is expected to grow to 72 million people by 2030 and households across the country will be caring for seniors.
One study by the Family Caregiver Alliance estimates that 39 million people have recently become a caregiver for an older adult, a responsibility that can prove draining for the one providing the care. Many may be looking for a way to supplement their own duties.
One of the several home medical alert systems may present a solution for overwhelmed families. This device can be installed in a residence and enables seniors to instantly send a personal emergency response message if they require assistance from family or doctors.
This could prove to be a long-term care addition that makes everyone happy – AARP research conducted in December has found that 90 percent of all adults over the age of 50 would rather live at their own home instead of moving to senior housing.
However, the survey also found that more than half of those interviewed hadn’t modified their homes to be age-friendly, which may be a crucial step to preparing for the golden years.
