Is this something you have heard before?
"My 78 year old mom was walking around her condo front yard. She fell outside and broke her hip and no one was around to help. Her cell phone landed 15 feet away from her and she couldn't crawl to it. She had a wireless life alert pendant, but it didn't work as she was too far away from her condo (were the base station was located). She had to wait 2 hours before someone found her. She could have died." Cookie S.
No one is immune from this situation! Many alert systems are very limited and require close proximity to the base station often located in a room in the home.
An automated system to call for help is required by many people with physical or mental challenges!
If you or someone you love has disabilities that limit their mobility or cannot always be left alone, then you should consider a remote monitoring and alerting system. There are many systems available, and consideration should be given to the individual's lifestyle, disabilities and caregivers. Many individuals challenged with physical and mental limitations can still have some degree of independence which gives them personal freedom while offering their loved ones a break from constant care.
Remote alerting and monitoring systems help both the caregiver and the needy. Many physically or mentally challenged are faced with situations where they need help in emergency situations. These systems can save a life.
Quality of life can be improved by technology providing both the needy and the caregiver relief.
Technology also introduces issues, however. Wheelchairs and scooter pose a particular problem. These devices can greatly extend the range of an otherwise immobile person potentially leaving them far from help and home.
Many otherwise immobile people have found comfort in manual and powered mobility devices. Many are self propelled or pushed by care providers, but technology has improved and cost offsets are in place today where more people are able to use powered wheelchairs and scooters. Regardless of what device is used, mobility and personal freedom is much increased.
A single battery charge will allow for a 10 - 15 mile range by many powered wheelchairs and scooters. This range can put an individual far from home and help. Many people not only use them around the house, but travel to local shopping and to visit family and friends. This convenience adds quality of life to those with limited mobility.
A cell phone should be carried by wheelchair and scooter users because of the inherent dangers. However some people are unable to use a mobile phone for various reasons which may include a sudden attach or accident.
This article looks at other solutions to cellphones to provide greater convenience and reliability and just may be a better solution to limited health risks.
A scooter or powered wheelchair user can travel far from help. A sudden attack or accident could evolve into something much more serious without immediate attention.
What is Monitoring & Alerting?
Monitoring and alerting are separate and distinct events. Alerting provides reporting of monitored parameters. Parameters can be such things heart rate, blood pressure of body position. Most systems provide monitoring solutions, but few provide automated alerting solutions that can really save lives.
Between monitoring and alerting, the most critical is alerting. When a person is in trouble, they need to alert someone for help. However, in an unexpected accident they may not have the ability to call for help. In this situation, automated alerting would be required. The complication with automated alerting is that it requires monitoring.
Various sensors are used to monitor parameters. Mobile individuals often require sensors that are battery-powered. Sensors send the data to be analyzed. When something goes wrong an audible or visible alarm is activated. Some robust alerting systems can provide an email alert, text message or even a voice call.
The true value of Alerting and Monitoring
Real-time monitoring and alerting for your power wheelchair or any mobile medical device can significantly reduce the danger associated with accidents or physical collapse. A monitoring system can track the user's location, vital signs, equipment maintenance issues, and can offer a "panic button" all coupled to an automated alert notification system that can be configured to notify the user's doctor, ambulance, family members, neighbors, local first responders, and other caregivers.
Want to find out more about HealthCare Monitoring and Alerting, then visit this site on how to choose the best wheelchair accessories for your needs.