If you’re shopping for one for yourself or for your mom or dad, you’ll have to wade through a variety of options, but the bottom line is that the person must commit to wearing and using the device.

A Variety of Senior Alert Devices

Many people remember that old TV commercial featuring a woman lying on the floor in her home and saying, “Help! I’ve fallen and can’t get up.” Simple devices requiring the user to push a button for help have been around since the 1970s. Fast-forward a few decades to today: Senior alert devices have become much more sophisticated with a variety of features and benefits.

The device itself can be a necklace, pendant, bracelet, or clip-on style product. All come with a home base and are connected to a call center for which there is a monthly fee.

Other features include GPS locators and multiple notification alerts sent to designated persons and/or emergency call centers. Some have motion sensors that can detect a fall, prompting an automatic notification of emergency services in the event the person has become unconscious.

Fall detection, of course, is a desired feature, given that the propensity for a fall increases with age. (See also our post “What Is Physical Fitness? How to Keep from Falling Down.”)

Fall detectors are essential in order to provide rapid assistance and to prevent fear of falling and the adverse health consequences. The technology, however, has a way to go. According to a recent study, there is no standardized solution for the complex process of fall detection.

On the horizon, however, is new sensor that promise to make life safer for the elderly, according to developers at SINTEF, an independent Scandinavian research organization. Pressure measurements enable this newly developed fall detector to “observe” falls that current sensors do not register, thus improving safety for older people who live at home. It works by comparing pressure changes between the sensor attached to the user’s body and the other sensors installed around the house.

The pressure measurement technology involved is not new, as such, akin to the way aircraft register changes in altitude, but this is the first time it has been employed in a fall detector.

The User Must Use It

Regardless of which senior alert device a user owns, the biggest problem is that he or she won’t wear it, or feels embarrassed to call for help. Encouraging your loved to use a senior alert device may take some time and effort, but it’s important to understand the features (and limitations) of each device.

While these senior alert devices can indeed be lifesavers, nothing compares to having a human backup plan in place. A neighbor, a friend, or a healthcare worker who stops by to check in can help keep your loved one safe; a simple phone call can also make all the difference.

Make sure your loved one’s cellphone has emergency contacts that are easily accessible. Consider practicing with your loved to make sure he or she knows how to make and take calls. Sometimes, older people can be frustrated by technology, but with patience and practice, most can learn to use a cellphone, tablet, or senior alert device.

Originally published in 2016, this article is regularly updated.

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#1. Eat a healthy and balanced diet

Nutrition is key to avoiding the health issues that are most common among seniors. Make sure your diet includes a good balance of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, low-fat dairy, and nuts to ensure that you maintain your proper weight and keep your immune system strong.

#2. Exercise regularly

The benefits of exercise are endless—it’s good for your heart, improves balance and flexibility, and improves your mood. If you need a place to start, try an exercise plan that is low intensity, such as walking, stretching, and light weightlifting.

#3. Take care of your mental and emotional health

As our bodies age, it can have a great effect on how we think and feel. In addition to exercise, it’s important to remain social, exercise our brains, and seek medical help as needed to battle depression, anxiety, insomnia, and other conditions that can rob us of our joy.

#4. Find a good doctor

It’s a daunting task for all ages, but it becomes even more critical as you get older. Common health problems in elderly people, such as osteoporosis, age-related macular degeneration, and hearing impairment, can make it very difficult to live an independent life without treatment from a trusted medical professional, so take the time to do some research. (Looking for an integrative physician that supports your “natural medicine” beliefs? Learn how to find one here.)

#5. Get a senior alert device

This is especially important if you live (or spend most of the day or night) alone. Today’s easy-to-use senior alert devices allow you to contact a family member, friend, or emergency service organization almost instantly if you’ve taken a fall or experienced some other life-threatening complication. It may just save your life.

Originally published in September 2016 and updated.

The post How to Maintain Your Independence: 5 Tips for Seniors appeared first on University Health News.

It’s important to ask for help when these tasks become difficult and to take advantage of resources in the community to help meet one’s needs. In the list below, we offer advice on where to turn for assistance.

Elderly Activities: Meals and Meal-Planning

Grocery shopping and meal preparation can become difficult tasks as elderly activities, particularly if you are no longer able to drive or if you suffer from conditions that prevent prolonged standing or lifting.

Many community centers have meal programs for senior citizens and/or information on Meals on Wheels programs. Try calling your local community center, local library, or chamber of commerce for a list of such programs. Asking friends or family for assistance with grocery shopping or hiring someone to do it for you are other options.

Transportation and Senior Activities

It’s worthwhile to be involved in elderly activities, but getting around isn’t always possible. Driving a car in later years can be challenging as our reflexes slow and our vision deteriorates, but many communities have transportation programs for the seniors.

Visit www.eldercare.gov or call 1-800-677-1116 to find out what options exist in your community.

Hygiene

Maintaining good personal hygiene is important. This can be complicated if you suffer from incontinence. If this is a problem for you, you should discuss it with your healthcare provider so that they can help determine the cause of your incontinence and possible treatment and daily management options.

Additionally, good oral hygiene is also important to prevent gum disease and even heart disease. Our skin is often thinner and more prone to infection as we age, so keeping it clean is critical. However, simply taking a shower or bath can become difficult tasks for the elderly. Often, having a walk-in-tub or a shower seat and shower handle bar are absolute necessities for maintaining the ability to bathe independently. Even with this equipment, it can be sometimes be necessary to have someone assist you in the bathing process.

If family is not an option, you might need to have a home health provider come on a regular basis. Your healthcare provider can help direct you towards local care resources or you can visit www.eldercare.gov or call 1-800-677-1116 for local options.

Mobility: A Key for Elderly Activities

Moving around your home can become dangerous for the elderly; activities as simple as climbing stairs can become a challenge as we age, particularly for those who suffer from balance problems or arthritis. Taking certain precautions can make it safer, starting with the proper footwear. Make a point to find comfortable shoes that give you the type of support (for example, arch support) you need.

Your healthcare provider, podiatrist, or physical therapist can help you determine the right type of shoe for you. Research suggests that it is not safe to walk in stocking feet without shoes as your risk for falls might be increased.

• Assistance devices: If you suffer from balance problems or have limited mobility, you might be in need of an assistance device. Examples:
  
  

  Such items as canes and scooters can be important aids in helping seniors get around.

  • Canes: Canes can relieve pressure on joints, provide stability and help prevent falls. Canes can be found at medical supply stores and regular pharmacies. Important: Find a cane that’s the appropriate height, handle, and design for your needs. If you’re not certain what those requirements are for you, consult with your doctor, physical therapist, or medical supply store staff.
  • Walkers: Some people need the wider base of support that walkers provide. Walkers can be purchased at medical supply stores or ordered online.
  • Scooters/wheelchairs: When walking is no longer an option, it may be necessary to obtain a scooter or wheelchair. If your doctor agrees that this is necessary, Medicare and many insurance companies will help cover some or all of this expense. You should consult with your healthcare provider, insurance company, and Medicare (www.medicare.gov/supplier or 1-800-MEDICARE [1-800-633-4227]) to determine where you should obtain your device.
  • Senior alerts: In the event you do experience a fall, it’s important to have some method to call for assistance. Medical alarms for seniors can ensure quick help. The cost can be a few hundred dollars per year, but it’s well worth it. A number of companies produce senior alert devices; they typically involve a medical alarm button that can be worn as a neck pendant or wristband and, optionally, wall-mounted near the floor in multiple rooms.
    
    The button’s speaker and voice capabilities allow an elderly person to contact a “care specialist,” as one manufacturer, LifeStation, calls its operators, who are on duty to respond to calls and alert emergency services. Among the other companies cited, along with LifeStation, by Consumer Reports as makers of recommended senior alert systems are Life Alert, Medical Alert, MobileHelp, Phillips Lifeline, and Rescue Alert.
  

  A senior alert system gives elderly folks who need help to get it with the push of a button.

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  Originally posted in March 2016 and updated.

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