Home is more than just a place to eat, sleep and watch the telly. Those walls frame your memories, watching your family grow – and eventually fly the nest. But, as we get older it can become harder to live independently at home.
Unfortunately, it’s older people living alone who are most at risk. Alarmingly, The Health Foundation found that half of this particular group had three or more long term conditions; 1 in 3 older adults will have at least one fall a year.
Lifeline personal alarms are commonly used to support those at risk of falls. However, personal alarms – and telecare in general – can be a good option if you’re faced with health issues at home.
Help and support for those living with dementia
Dementia is not just one specific disease, but rather a group of symptoms that impact upon the brain over time. Whilst every case is different, the illness typically affects your memory, behaviour and thought processes – making home life much more difficult. Consequently, as the illness progresses, normal day-to-day tasks can suddenly become risks.
Whether it’s a monitored smoke alarm or a medication reminder, telecare sensors have been designed to reduce the strain on people with dementia and carers. They can enhance the quality of life for people suffering from dementia, allowing them to live independently for longer.
For information on some common symptoms of dementia and ways to manage them, the process of getting an assessment, and what to do after a diagnosis please visit the Alzheimer’s Society website.
Help and support for those living with epilepsy
There are over 600,000 people in the UK with epilepsy; the condition is commonly diagnosed in children and people over 65. Epilepsy affects the brain, meaning those living with the condition have a tendency to have epileptic seizures. These are often unexpected, creating a safety risk for those who are isolated at home.
In case of an emergency, a fall detector can often be the best way to call for help. The lightweight pendant allows you to press a button to generate an alarm call from anywhere within the house.
But seizures can also affect us when we’re unconscious. If you are affected at night, an epilepsy sensor might be worth considering. This device monitors your movement, breathing and heartbeat whilst you sleep. It detects the changes that take place when a seizure is occurring, raising an alarm immediately.
If you or a loved one would like more information on epilepsy including the definition, causes, diagnosis and treatment please visit the Epilepsy Action website.
Help and support for those with sensory impairment
In the UK, there are over 2 million people living with sight loss. Furthermore, Action on Hearing Loss estimates that more than 10 million people in the UK – about 1 in 6 – have some degree of hearing impairment or deafness.
Living alone with sensory impairment can be a terrifying and dangerous experience. However, there are technologies that can help you maintain an independent lifestyle, despite these restraints. Vibrating pagers, along with sound and flashing beacons ensure the user or carer is alerted when an alarm call is raised. This provides added reassurance and protection to both visually impaired and hearing impaired users, allowing them to live safely at home.
Help and support for carers and families
Caring will affect us all at some point in our lives. Across the UK today 6.5 million people are carers, supporting a loved one who is older, disabled or seriously ill.
Telecare could never replace the role of a carer. However, what it can do is allow them to leave the house or get a good night’s sleep. They can feel confident that they will be informed if an emergency occurs.
To contact us about our services or for support with finding the most suitable lifeline product for your needs, please contact us or call our team on 0300 333 6511.