Website intended for a NZ health professional readership
Medical alarms provide reassurance, confidence and an enhanced feeling of safety and security for older adults ageing at home.10,11
Research shows that older adults greatly value their independence and want to remain living in their own homes for as long as possible.1
The advantages of independent living for older individuals are widely recognised. It is not only about physical capability but also about mental well-being. Residing at home helps seniors improve their feeling of independence and self-sufficiency2, meaning they can maintain their privacy, freedom, sense of self, and control over their lives. Equally important, ageing in place promotes connections with family, friends, and the community, which is essential for social support. Independent living is also consistent with social policy that older adults should ‘age in place’ including those who require care and support.2
These benefits are likely to contribute to the thinking of many healthcare providers, who aim to support their older patients’ desire to live independently for as long as possible.
Unfortunately, the reality is that as they age, seniors may be more vulnerable to risks, especially the types of adverse medical events that can be more common among the older population.
Falls pose a particularly high risk, with around one in three over-65s living in the community experiencing a fall each year.3 This risk increases to one in two for the over-80s. A fall is a major health-related risk event that can lead to partial or complete loss of independence, with as many as one-half of seniors admitted to hospital for a fall-related injury discharged to an aged-care facility.
However, falls are not the only concern. A non-fatal cardiovascular event like a heart attack or stroke can result in physical and or/cognitive disability that contributes to loss of independence.4,5 Even hospitalisation for a medical event can be a ‘deconditioning’ process, leading to dependency after discharge.6
Clearly, there is a need to provide extra support to enable vulnerable seniors to continue living safely at home for as long as they can. This is particularly important for those who live alone and have limited access to home care or support from family members. Personal medical alarms, which connect the user to 24/7 emergency monitoring and response, can be an effective solution.
Medical alarms can allow for timely intervention following a fall or other medical event. A prolonged period lying on the floor after a fall (i.e. long lie-time) has been linked to serious health outcomes in seniors and subsequent admissions to hospital and long-term care.7 Research indicates that the use of a medical alarm by community-dwelling seniors can reduce hospital admissions and inpatient days,8,9 potentially reducing the likelihood of loss of independence.
Just as importantly, medical alarms provide reassurance, confidence and an enhanced feeling of safety and security for older adults ageing at home.10,11 Knowing they can summon help at the push of a button helps empower seniors to have the confidence to live a more independent life.
Healthcare providers are influential in educating patients and their families about options such as medical alarms that can help preserve independence. Older adults are especially inclined to be open to such a suggestion when it is made by a healthcare professional like a doctor or nurse.12
A St John Medical Alarm offers 24/7 monitoring and is the only medical alarm that connects directly to Hato Hone St John. Referring this service to your older patients, especially those without appropriate home care or family support in place, can play a vital role in maintaining their independence. This can in turn assist with facilitating their autonomy, identity and quality of life as they continue to live at home.
The St John Medical Alarm referral process is simple, using your Practice Management System via Healthlink or ERMS. All patients also have access to a FREE trial.
For more information about St John Medical Alarms, please visit stjohnalarms.org.nz/hcp
1. van Leeuwen KM, et al. What does quality of life mean to older adults? A thematic synthesis. PLoS One. 2019;14(3):e0213263.
2. Davey J. “Ageing in Place”: The views of older homeowners on maintenance, renovation and adaptation. Soc Policy J N Z. 2006(27):128-41.
3. Soriano TA, et al. Falls in the community-dwelling older adult: A review for primary-care providers. Clin Interv Aging. 2007;2(4):545-554.
4. Capistrant BD, et al. Stroke-associated differences in rates of activity of daily living loss emerge years before stroke onset. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2013;61(6):931-8.
5. Dodson JA, et al. Physical function and independence one year following myocardial infarction: Observations from the TRIUMPH Registry. Am Heart J. 2012;163(5):790-6.
6. Covinsky KE, et al. Hospitalization-associated disability: "She was probably able to ambulate, but I'm not sure". JAMA. 2011;306(16):1782-93.
7. Fleming J. Inability to get up after falling, subsequent time on floor, and summoning help: prospective cohort study in people over 90. BMJ 2008;337:a2227
8. Ong NWR, et al. Utility of a Medical Alert Protection System compared to telephone follow-up only for home-alone elderly presenting to the ED - A randomized controlled trial. Am J Emerg Med. 2018;36(4):594-601.
9. Roush RE, et al. Impact of a personal emergency response system on hospital utilization by community-residing elders. South Med J. 1995;88(9):917-22.
10. Karlsen C, et al. Experiences of community-dwelling older adults with the use of telecare in home care services: a qualitative systematic review. JBI Database System Rev Implement Rep. 2017;15(12):2913-80.
11. Mann WC, et al. Use of personal emergency response systems by older individuals with disabilities. Assist Technol. 2005;17(1):82-8.
12. Stokke R. The Personal Emergency Response System as a technology innovation in Primary Health Care services: An integrative review. J Med Internet Res. 2016;18(7):e187.
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