Using technology to support the independence of seniors

The use of a personal medical alarm by community-living older adults has been associated with reduced requirements for hospital admission and fewer inpatient days compared with living without an alarm.¹²

The social policies of many countries, including New Zealand, advocate for older adults to remain in their own homes and communities, as this can be fundamental to sustaining personal independence and social connection.¹ These social policies are consistent with older adults expressing a strong desire to remain living at home and avoid entering an age related residential care facility.

However, acute medical events due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) can threaten the independence of seniors, who are more likely to be living with CVD than their younger counterparts.² A non-fatal heart attack or stroke can result in physical and/or cognitive disability that contributes to loss of independence.^3,4

Disabilities as a result of stroke and heart failure following an acute heart attack are related to infarct size, and delayed treatment is a determinant of increased infarct size.⁵ Also, delay in seeking medical care in patients experiencing worsening heart failure symptoms has been linked with a greater likelihood of rehospitalisation following discharge.⁶

Causes of delayed treatment and not using emergency medical services after an acute CVD event are targets for improvement interventions to shorten the time to medical treatment.⁷ This can be addressed by the use of a technological intervention such as a personal medical alarm, the potential value of which is highlighted by the finding that 63% of heart attacks in the home occur when no one else is present.⁸

Older adults do not appear averse to using technology to support their wellbeing and independence if they consider it safe, user-friendly and relevant to their personal needs.⁹ Personal medical alarms promote safety and security to age at home, and generally consist of simple-to-use push-button devices connected to an emergency response monitoring centre.^10,11

The use of a personal medical alarm by community-living older adults has been associated with reduced requirements for hospital admission and fewer inpatient days compared with living without an alarm.¹² Additionally, older adults provided with a personal medical alarm on discharge from an emergency department required fewer inpatient days if readmitted and demonstrated improved measures of quality of life compared with those who received telephone-only follow-up.¹³

Personal medical alarms help to empower seniors so they can remain active and maintain their independence. Older adults report that having a personal medical alarm enhances their feelings of safety and security, which should also help to support independence and aging at home.^10,14

A St John Medical Alarm offers 24/7 response and links directly to Hato Hone St John. Referring a St John Medical Alarm for your older patients will give them reassurance to live independently knowing that timely intervention in case of a CVD event or other acute health-related event is just the press of a button away.

Referral is straightforward through your Practice Management System via Healthlink or ERMS. A free trial is available to all patients.

For more information go to stjohnalarms.org.nz/hcp