Some technology is used to entertain people while others are used to make more money. Other companies go into business to help people and today we will be looking at some of the ways in which businesses are using their knowledge to improve the lives of elderly people.
Elderly people and technology is not something you would normally associate with each other but if you think about it technology is simply a way of solving problems and the elderly have many of them to solve.
In this article, we will take a look at personal alarm technology, its uses and how tech companies are helping people with problems by using them.
So what is a personal alarm?
Firstly there are many types of personal alarms and in this article, we will discuss the two most common alarm systems. The first is a personal alarm that can be used when an elderly person falls down.
Elderly people over the age of 50 are 60% more likely to fall down every year while at home and sometimes these trips and falls can be deadly as they can break their bones which can lead to infections. Falls can also be deadly if the person is unable to reach out for help and this is where fall alarms come into play.
There are different types of alarms some can monitor if a fall has taken place, these are known as telecare systems whereas you can get personal wearable alarms that you can either put around your neck, wrist or in your pocket. These types of alarms are convenient for elderly people that still have mobility but it's limited.
If you are into your gardening or still like to get up and enjoy the scenery a personal alarm can give you the peace of mind that if you were to have a fall that with a push of a button someone will be there within seconds that can help you. This to me is a great use of technology and such a simple solution can improve someone's quality of life by so much.
You may be thinking why would you invest in a personal alarm when a mobile phone can do the same job. It's a good question and maybe to some a mobile phone can do the job. The reason in my opinion why a personal alarm is better than a mobile phone is that a phone can sometimes fall out of your pocket and you won't have it when you need it. vivint vs. adt which is best for you, find complete detail.
Another disadvantage of a mobile phone is that in an event of a trip or fall you can sometimes become disorientated and confused. Having to then look through your phone or dial your emergency contacts or even speak to someone can be a difficult task. A personal alarm on the other hand requires one push of a button and an agent on the other end of the line can sort your emergency out.
A personal alarm agent can call the emergency services on your behalf and also ring your family members to let them know you have had an accident.
Using a personal alarm to prevent crime
The second type of personal alarm is one that is used to prevent crime and in this instance, I'm not talking about the ones you carry on you that emit a sound but one that is connected to your homes alarm system which can then alert the police that a crime is happening.
As you get older your body becomes weaker and elderly people are often victims of crime as they find it difficult to protect themselves. Having a personal alarm system which you can wear is a great way of alerting the police if anyone were to break into your home.
Tech companies that are producing alarm systems like these are allowing older people to feel safe in their homes which I think is a great thing but they're also helping the elderly as some of the most advanced systems can be set to remind the person if a window or door is left open.
As we get older our memory can get weaker and forgetting information is sadly something that happens. If an elderly person is to forget that they have left a window or a door open this can open them up to being a victim of crime. Thankfully the tech companies have produced advanced home protection systems that can remind them which doors or windows are open and some of the more expensive systems can even close them for you. This is incredibly useful if you have mobility issues.
Conclusion
Technology has many uses and improving the lives of others is always a worthy cause. To the companies using their knowledge to improve people's lives, we salute you. We also look forward to what the future brings and how technology will be used to help not only the elderly but others with limiting conditions too.
Image source: fsstechnologies.com
