How To Talk To Your Loved One About Medical Alert Systems

How To Talk To Your Loved One About Medical Alert Systems

November 27, 2017

Co-Found of TheSeniorList.com, Amie Clark, goes over important tips on talking to your loved one about getting a medical alert system. Amie discusses common concerns seniors have and advice for caregivers. Read Amie’s Helpful Medical Alert Guide.

Video Transcript:

Amie Clark: Are you worried about a loved one? Perhaps mom or dad has recently had a fall or hospitalization, or maybe you went home for the holidays and noticed that they don’t seem as safe in their own home as they used to. If so, it may be time to have a conversation about medical alert systems. During that conversation some concerns may arise that your loved one has about medical alert systems. I’m going to offer some tips on how to address those concerns.

This is a private conversation to have with your loved one, this is not a conversation to have at Thanksgiving. This is not something you want to throw at them as a Christmas gift, this is not an intervention. This is a conversation that you may have to have a couple times in private with your loved one. One of the more common concerns about medical alert systems is that people simply don’t think they need to use it. Think of it like insurance, hopefully you never need to use it, but if you do it’s really going to save you. Medical alert systems are a lot like that, they’re a life saving device. People who use medical alert systems are more likely to stay in their homes longer than people who don’t.

Another objection you may hear is that they can just use their cell phone. Well, a cell phone is not always a good option, it may not be within reach, your loved one may be unconscious or not in any position to use the phone, and they’re not water resistant like most medical alert systems are, or maybe they think it’s too expensive, that it’s not within their budget. But lying on the floor for hours without getting help could lead to much more expensive medical bills and lifelong complications health-wise. I think a lot of people are also embarrassed to be seen wearing a medical alert system, but they can be worn in a variety of ways, around the neck, around the wrist, clipped to a belt.

In fact, many people replace the lanyard that it comes with a nice pretty chain or replace the band the wrist option with a watchband. There are many ways to customize it so that your loved one is comfortable wearing it. A common misconception is that medical alerts are only for old people, when in fact many people wear safety devices, lawn workers, children, people with disabilities, women who go out running on their own, all wear something to keep them safe so that they can get help if they need right away.

Lastly, another common concern is that if the button was pressed an ambulance automatically shows up. You need to explain to your loved one that that’s not how it works. Emergency services will only be dispatched as a last resort. I hope these tips have been helpful for you in having a conversation with your loved one about medical life alert systems. For more in-depth tips, click on the link below. Thanks for watching.

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