One of the most significant concerns for people aged 65 and over is falls. A fall can have a serious impact on your wellbeing, and the fear of falling can prevent you from living a happy, independent life. Fall alarms for the elderly support you at home.
But how does a fall alarm benefit you? Keep reading to find out.
Some Statistics
Falls are one of the most common health problems experienced by over-65s in the UK. In fact, one in three people aged 65 or over will experience a fall every year. This figure increases to half of all over-80s.
There are several risk factors than can increase your likelihood of experiencing a fall. Some of these could be natural consequences of ageing.
One example is muscle weakness. Surprisingly, muscle mass can start to decline as early as 30, decreasing by approximately 3-8% per decade. This means that by your late 60s you are likely to experience more weakness, even if you keep fit. This lack of strength can affect your balance, leading to increased fall risk.
Amongst people who experience falls, fractures are one of the highest risks. Whilst most falls do not cause serious injuries, up to 5% of falls can lead to a fracture. If you are one of the 3 million people in the UK living with osteoporosis, your risk of fractures increases.
With this in mind, it’s reassuring to know that fall alarms for the elderly can support your wellbeing at home. Here’s how.
24/7 Peace of Mind
All personal alarms from Carelink24 are connected to our professional Care Team. They are available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year to arrange the help you need after a fall at home. This means that no matter when you need support, day or night, you know you are in safe hands.
Automatic Fall Alert
What sets fall alarms for the elderly apart from other personal alarms is their automatic fall detection. Using an innovative algorithm, the fall pendant senses a sudden change in altitude, such as would be experienced during a fall.
When a fall is detected, an alert is sent to our Care Team, the same as if you press the button on your pendant. We will then arrange help on your behalf, keeping you safe at home.
No Need to Press
The automatic fall alert function of fall alarms for the elderly means there is no need to press your button to arrange help*. Therefore, a fall alarm can allow our team to arrange help on your behalf even if you are unconscious or otherwise unable to press your pendant button following a fall.
When your alarm is activated, if our team cannot hear you or do not get a response, they will continue to arrange help on your behalf. In many cases, they will assume that you cannot respond due to a medical emergency and contact the emergency services.
Exercise Without Worry
In later life, it’s important to keep fit, but fear of falls can stop you from exercising. Ironically, this may, in fact, be increasing your risk of falls. With a fall alarm, this doesn’t have to be a worry. Whilst you should always be mindful of your limits, fall alarms for the elderly offer extra reassurance as you exercise.
This can lead to further benefits to your overall wellbeing, as you increase your strength and maintain a healthy body weight. Moreover, exercising can help to improve your mental health.
Extra Safety in the Bathroom
Another leading cause of falls in the home is wet surfaces. This is especially a risk during a shower or when getting out of the bath. Fall alarms for the elderly are waterproof, providing extra peace of mind around the home.
You can also feel reassured that an automatic alert can be sent if you do experience a sudden fall. This helps to further support your independence at home, supporting you with your day-to-day tasks.
Support Your Independence with Fall Alarms for the Elderly
Choosing a fall alarm is one of the best things you can do to support your independence at home. You will feel more secure in the knowledge that help is always available, even if you are unable to press the button yourself. Moreover, your loved ones will be reassured, too.
Ordering your fall alarm for the elderly is simple. Call our friendly team on 0800 0076 247 and they will be happy to talk you through your options.
* To make sure you receive help when needed, we always recommend pressing the button on your fall alarm pendant if you are able to.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 18th March 2024 to reflect current information.
