Active older adults may feel they do not need a medical alert bracelet. Medical alert bracelets bring peace of mind and added protection in a few different situations. Medical alert bracelets may benefit you or a loved one if you fit into any of the situations ahead in the post.
Medical bracelets for women are an obvious purchase for women with a history of falling. You can use this device to provide extra peace of mind and prevent accidents in the future. Medical alert bracelets are still worth buying for older adults who don’t have a history of accidents. Even if it is never used, it is comforting to know that assistance is just a button push away in an emergency.
When do you need to wear a bracelet?
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You can ask your healthcare provider what features are most crucial for monitoring a particular medical condition if you’ve received a medical diagnosis that has prompted you to consider medical alert bracelets. You may also consider wearing a bracelet as a preventative measure if you have less specific needs:
1. Having stairs in your home or living alone
You have to consider certain key features if you live alone or have obstacles like stairs in your home. Automatic fall detection is available on many bracelets, though it often costs more per month.
A device with two-way communication would also be helpful, so you can quickly contact a caregiver, family member, or monitoring center representative. If you live in a larger house with stairs, it’s also critical to ensure your device has a greater range. Contact the medical alert provider for extended coverage to determine how long the battery lasts and what additional devices can be installed at the top and bottom of the stairs.
2. Travel and exercise as part of an active lifestyle
If you are an older adult with an active lifestyle, you’ll need specific features to meet your unique needs, such as traveling outside of the home, exercising, or even spending a lot of time outdoors. Think about devices that detect falls automatically, have an extended range, two-way communication, and possibly even GPS capabilities. The cost of GPS location tracking per month may be an extra expense, but it is a valuable feature that adds safety and peace of mind. The monitoring center can dispatch emergency services based on fall detection and GPS tracking when you fall outside your home.
3. Difficulty making telephone calls due to poor vision
A medical alert bracelet usually consists of one large button, making calling for help easy for most users. For those with difficulty seeing or walking, a medical alert bracelet and voice-activated system may be helpful. Voice activation allows you to connect with a loved one or the monitoring center without having to find a button in an emergency. Help will be there as soon as you speak. Adding automatic fall protection will also save you from the necessity of physically calling for assistance.
When Should You Wear a Medical Alert Bracelet?
It is not necessary to wear medical alert bracelets all the time for them to function. However, they are more effective and protective when worn always. In any case, you are more vulnerable without the bracelet on. When you sleep or sit with a phone within reach, you should remove your medical alert bracelet. If you need help, you can call for it immediately.
Taking off a medical alert bracelet when you’re showering, gardening or cooking may seem convenient, but these activities are often the most dangerous. Falls commonly occur in kitchens and bathrooms, so choose a comfortable and waterproof medical alert bracelet.
