Senior Care and COVID-19: The Role of Medical Alert Systems

At the end of last year, a new type of disease entered the world. The current pandemic is called coronavirus disease 19 and in short, it's known as COVID-19.

The first cases of this illness were treated in individuals who visited the Chinese market that sell animals and seafood. This disease is spreading within a short time and, at the time of this writing, it has killed around 33,000 individuals and over 700,000 individuals have tested positive worldwide.

The issue of medical alerts for seniors is a perennial topic, and many of us worry about our elderly friends and relatives. This topic is particularly important today because seniors appear to be more vulnerable to COVID-19.

There are different types of medical alert systems available for seniors. They can be broadly placed in three categories.

1. One or more alert button(s) available in the senior's place of residence.

This is a button the senior can press if needing help or feeling unwell. The signal is received at a 24/7 security monitoring center, and help is sent. In some instances, an intercom is available to speak to the senior.

2. An alert button is worn by the senior.

In this case, the button is always near the senior, and he or she has only to press the button, and then it functions like #1.

3. A smart phone or smart watch that detects a fall is worn or carried by the senior.

This solution is one in which the devices detects a falls, so the senior doesn't have to press a button for help. The biggest problem is one of compliance, in that the senior must have the device with them on on their person at all times.

If you are concerned about a senior and want to implement some kind of security and medical alert, please contact us. We operate in southern Ontario, and we can help you. We can go over all the options with you.

In the meantime, we'll leave you with some general advice for you and your seniors on stopping transmission of the virus.

* Keep indoors at your home or business and avoid physical interaction with people not in your immediate household.

* Avoid persons who are sick. You should not go to big gatherings and busy places until this disease is controlled.

*Get some fresh air but stay away from other people.

* Stay at least six feet or two meters away from other people.

* Always remember to wash your hands regularly. Wash for at least twenty seconds with water and soap.

* Don’t touch your mouth, nose, and eyes with dirty hands.

* Use disinfectants to wipe or clean any object in your home, like a one cup:five gallons, bleach/water solution or 3% hydrogen peroxide.

* Strictly follow recommendations from specialized doctors and local health authorities. 

Roger’s Security Systems is an authorized Honeywell dealer and has been providing both residential and commercial security services and video surveillance equipment for over 20 years.

If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about your security needs, please call us on our toll-free number, (800) 823-8635 or email us at info@rogers-security.com.