Are You Safe? Life Alert For Seniors
The company’s service solves a major home security issue. Life Alert’s protection helps people to live at home with independence and comfort, living their lives the way they want to, with a feeling of safety and peace of mind.
Life Alert handles over two million calls a year, and on average saves at least one life from a catastrophic outcome every 17 minutes (over 31,000 in 2010). In Life Alert’s Monitoring Center, the size of its emergency staff per member is 200% greater than a traditional security company.
* Go to www.lifealert.com for more information
Life Alert For Balance and Falls
Falls: Causes, Prevention, and What To Do If It Happens
by Dr. Don Rose
INTRODUCTION
A fall can happen to us all. This is true no matter what our age. While falls are not the inevitable result of getting older, the odds go up as one advances in age.
SYMPTOMS THAT CAN LEAD TO FALLS
Dizziness, lightheadedness, and general weakness can all cause a fall, and each condition may be a sign of an underlying medical issue. In addition, a fall may be a symptom of a serious illness, such as a heart attack, stroke, internal bleeding, or pneumonia. Falls may also indicate a drinking problem; alcohol abuse is an alarming trend among more and more seniors.
HOW FALLS OCCUR
As one ages, eyesight and hearing ability often decreases. Slower reflexes and decreased coordination and muscle strength can limit our ability to take action in avoiding a fall when it starts to happen. Medical conditions like heart disease or low blood pressure can affect balance. Medicines or alcohol can cause lightheadedness. Arthritis can throw off balance, and osteoporosis can weaken bones so they break more easily than when one is young. Fortunately, the most preventable factors are usually things in the home; many folks, especially seniors, just aren't aware of the hazards they have in their abodes.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FALL
If you fall, are badly injured, and can get to a phone, dial 911 and/or someone you know who can take you to a doctor or emergency room. Many seniors should call their health care provider or emergency number after a fall, even if there appears to be little or no injury, just to be safe. Also note that head injuries can be very serious.
Another consideration: a fall may be a symptom of a serious illness. Your health professional can examine you and may order x-rays or other tests, if needed. Also, tell your doctor if you think one or more of your medicines are affecting your balance or causing dizziness.
Lastly, we must consider cases where someone is injured at home and cannot reach a phone. For seniors living alone, the increased odds of a fall means a medical alarm system is a vital step to ensure protection. Just as we use medical insurance to protect our health and assets, a medical alarm system acts as a form of additional insurance when something happens (like a fall) that could be life-threatening when a phone is out of reach. Life Alert can provide this protection; subscribers to Life Alert wear a small pendant which, when pressed, can summon help 24/7 if something happens to you and you cannot reach a phone. See www.lifealert.com for more details.
For original article: http://www.seniorprotection.com/healthtips/falls.aspx