The senior population in Canada has increased dramatically with more than 15% aged 65 and older.
Of course, aging comes with health risks. Reduced mobility and safety issues also cause much anxiety among seniors, especially those who live alone.
Are you debating whether you really need an emergency button for seniors? An emergency button, also called a panic button or medical alert system, will give you peace of mind. Your family members or caregivers will also breathe a sigh of relief because you have a device to protect you in a medical or non-medical emergency.
Read on to know more about the benefits, features, and prices of emergency buttons for seniors.
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The Many Benefits of Emergency Buttons for Seniors
Panic buttons, emergency buttons, and personal emergency response systems (PERS) protect the wellness and health of vulnerable persons. They also help protect the independence of seniors. How so?
A primary concern among seniors and their caregivers is the ability to call for help in a medical or personal emergency. Individuals with diminished mobility or cognitive skills could find it challenging to call for help using a phone line.
Smartphones are not always within reach and in a panic situation, a senior may not know who or how to call.
Most importantly, emergency services are available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Someone will always respond to an emergency call when you press the button.
With an emergency button, a senior only needs to press a button (worn around the neck or the wrist) and HELP is on the way.
Trained personnel answer the emergency alert within seconds to ascertain if it is a medical emergency or not.
If medical responders are needed on the scene, they will arrive within minutes.
Who needs an Emergency Button?
An emergency medical alert button is essential for senior citizens living on their own. In case of an emergency like a fall, they don’t need to wait for someone to find them. By simply pushing the button, medical services can be immediately summoned.
Seniors and vulnerable individuals due to existing medical conditions benefit significantly from emergency buttons.
- Persons aged 60 or older
- Seniors who want to maintain an active lifestyle
- Older adults living alone
- Persons with a disability
- Persons with Diabetes, Cancer, Arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and many more
- Older adults with a history of falls
- At-risk individuals due to health issues
- Persons on medications with side effects
You or a loved one can feel safer and more secure every day with an emergency button as your safeguard.
Get access to 24/7 Emergency Services with a simple push of a button today!
Emergency buttons & how they work
An emergency button is a handheld pendant or a watch that sends an alert to a monitoring center if you push the button.
A live agent will try to speak to you from the built-in communication system on your device. He or she will try to get details about your condition so that the proper response can be dispatched ASAP.
If the agent determines it could be a medical emergency, an ambulance will arrive in the shortest time possible to give aid. The operator will also remain with you on the call until help arrives.
But what if you press it by accident? Don’t worry, you can always cancel an alert by speaking to the operator. Some emergency button systems allow you to cancel an alert by pressing it twice.
Also for Non-Medical Emergencies
What if you have a non-medical emergency? The monitoring center, upon obtaining information from you, can summon the police, if it is a security issue. They can also contact your caregiver if you need personal assistance.
For your safety and security, an emergency button should be worn at all times, even when you go to the bathroom or to sleep.
Keep in mind that an emergency button is not only for medical emergencies. It can be your lifesaver in any kind of emergency.
Who responds to an Emergency Button Alert?
This is an important question and the answer will help you decide which emergency button to buy.
There are 2 types of emergency or panic buttons – monitored and unmonitored systems.
An unmonitored system is cheaper and easy to buy. You can order your device online and most of them come with self-installation or activation instructions.
Some people choose this type of system because they have no monthly fees.
This type of system is designed to dial specific numbers when you press your emergency button. You choose which people are called in an emergency – a family member, a neighbor, a friend, 911, etc. These types of devices are usually programmed to dial numbers (up to 10) until somebody picks-up the call.
In other words, someone from your circle will have the responsibility of responding to your distress call.
Availability of Emergency Contacts
As you can probably imagine, this can be challenging in a life and death situation because people can be away, asleep, unavailable, or busy. Every second of delay can have serious consequences.
But what about 911? Of course, 911 is always dependable. However, if you are unable to speak due to pain or injury, the operator will lose time determining the right course of action, your location, and other critical details.
Monitored Emergency Buttons for Total Security
In any emergency, a monitored panic button connects to a professional security company. Trained operators respond to calls and stay on the line with you until help arrives.
For a senior in a panic due to an injury, pain, or danger, this lifeline ensures a senior in a medical emergency is never alone.
Below are the major benefits from a monitored emergency button:
- Emergency assistance is available 24/7
- You will never get a busy signal. Connects to a live operator in seconds.
- The operator sees your information as soon as they answer. They know your address, contact persons, and medical information which helps them assist you faster.
- You can speak directly from your device because it has a built-in, 2-way communication system. You don’t need to use a smartphone.
- Most monitored systems have advanced features such as GPS tracking, fall detection, geo-fencing, medication dispensers, health and wellness monitoring, etc.
- You won’t depend on family or friends to be on call at all times.
- Total peace of mind and security
Waterproof and Long-lasting Devices for your Safety
Most injuries sustained by seniors occur in the bathroom. Showers are very dangerous places for the elderly. For this reason, emergency buttons are waterproof or water-resistant so you can continue to use them even while in the bath.
If you fall while in the shower, your emergency pendant won’t be damaged by moisture of impact. If you are shopping for an emergency button for a loved one, make sure to explain the importance of wearing the pendant at all times.
How to choose the right Emergency Button
Emergency buttons or medical alert systems for seniors help vulnerable individuals live independently without fear.
When shopping for your personal safety device, you need to consider factors such as:
- Monthly Fees, Device Fee, Activation Fee
- Range (consider the size of your home)
- Wireless (for active lifestyles) or landline
- Compatibility and support for medical conditions
- Features (fall detection, GPS monitoring, medication dispenser)
Emergency buttons are equipped with common features such as a 2-way communication system and wearable buttons (watch or pendant).
Are you interested in comparing the features and prices of popular emergency buttons in Canada? Check the Top 5 Panic Buttons in 2024 for seniors and pick the right device for your needs.
Dedicated Monitoring Centers for Seniors
Monitored emergency buttons are connected to qualified monitoring centers who operate 24/7. A few monitoring centers are Five diamond-certified which indicate their highest level of commitment to monitoring services.
Monitoring centers also have multi-lingual operators to provide efficient assistance in multiple languages. This ensures that language is not a barrier when dealing with an emergency situation.
As you can see, a monitored system emergency button is the most ideal personal security protection for seniors and vulnerable individuals. They come with monthly fees that vary depending on the provider, the plan you choose, and your type of device (wired or wireless).
If you are convinced you need an emergency button for your safety, compare multiple quotes from our partner security companies, free of charge.
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Get an Emergency Button with Fall Detection
There are emergency buttons with basic features and then there are those that have extra layers of protection such as fall detection.
Whether you are buying this device for yourself or a loved one, you can have greater peace of mind with a fall detection device.
According to Statistics Canada, seniors 65 and older are at greater risk for falls due to decreased mobility, visual impairment, muscle weakness, poor balance, etc.
A shocking 6,579 deaths related to falls among seniors in Canada were recorded in 2021. This figure is strong proof that every senior needs to have a fall detection device.
While a family member can’t be with a loved one 24/7, an emergency button will ensure the safety and security of an aging parent or relative.
Fill out the short online form on this page and request FREE and NO-OBLIGATION quotes for emergency buttons with fall detection.
Do Fall Detection Devices Really Work?
This is a fair enough question. A fall detection device or fall alarm can be in the form of a pendant, watch, or an app.
Unlike a standard emergency button that needs to be pressed to send an emergency alert, a fall detector is triggered automatically in a potential fall. The device has built-in sensors that use a myriad of parameters to distinguish between a possible fall and a normal movement. A fall alert is triggered in seconds after a fall, ensuring early medical attention.
Security companies specializing in fall detection devices claim their fall detection technology, while not perfect, has a very low possibility of false alarms. These devices are said to detect 85% or more of falls.
Recent studies state that smartwatches can detect falls but necklaces or pendants worn very close to a person’s center of gravity are more accurate.
An individual with a history of falls (once or twice) is more likely to have a fall again. Make sure your loved one is protected by the best fall detection device on the market.
Who is at risk of falling?
While seniors are at risk of falling, other factors increase this risk, according to the CDC.
- Poor balance or ear disorders;
- Medications;
- Vitamin D deficiency;
- Sudden decrease in blood pressure after standing (hypotension);
- Vision problems;
- Ankle and foot disorders;
- Muscle weakness;
- History of falls;
- Conditions such as stroke, arthritis, diabetes, dementia, etc.
- Fear of falling.
Even adults below 65 can greatly benefit in having an emergency button if they have any of these conditions.
Peace of Mind & Independence for the Elderly
If you are 65 or older, active or mostly at home, an emergency button is a necessary safety measure if you live alone.
A fall can have serious consequences- injury, disability, or even death. You can’t predict a fall but you can certainly make sure you have protection after a fall.
Emergency buttons and Fall Detection devices are surprisingly affordable. Some companies offer low monthly fees and free cancellation. In short, you won’t be spending a fortune on an emergency button with fall detection and get security and independence in return.
For many seniors in Canada and individuals with disabilities, they found renewed confidence and the ability to live independently, thanks to emergency buttons and fall detectors.
Start comparing emergency buttons today from the top Security Companies all across Canada. Just fill out the short online form and find the device that fits your budget and lifestyle!
