When your elderly parents are at home and you are at your workplace, the thought that’ll keep bugging you at the back of your mind is their safety. How will you know they’ll be fine, once you walk out of the door every morning?

This is a tough situation faced by many working people in today’s fast paced life. Even if they are connected to their elderly parents through the telephone, they remain worried about them. Will his/ her mum or dad be able to make that one important call on time in case of an emergency?

Well, many companies are now offering specially designed phones for the elderly that are easy to install and use. Even if your parents are living independently, help can arrive just at the pressing of a button. Take the Yale Distress Alarm for instance. It is a panic alarm system with loads of features that are helpful for providing emergency care to elderly people.

The alarm system offered by Yale doesn’t ask for additional monitoring charges or expensive contracts, thus, making it within budget for all elderly people or their working children. The remote push button available with this panic alarm system makes it easier for elderly persons and invalids to let others know that they are in need of help. So, with the help of such a system you can concentrate fully on your work, knowing well that your mother or father will be able to contact you easily in case of an emergency.

With more and more elderly people living alone or independently away from their children, the concern for their safety and health has become a major issue. Even after installing the most secure precautionary devices, the concern for their safety in case of an accident at home or a medical emergency is still not efficiently taken care of.

However, the Tunstall Emergency Response Service changes all that. Even though often mistaken for being just another phone for the elderly or for over-60s couples who live alone, the Tunstall Emergency Response Service entails much more!

It has a stationary unit with a red, illuminated alarm button, which can be pressed in case of an emergency. The resulting action is pretty reassuring to say the least. The operator responds to the emergency call and tries to establish contact with the one soliciting help through a powerful loudspeaker on the unit. Even if one does not respond, emergency help and notification of the incident is sent to two key-holders – family, colleagues or friends – as mentioned in the personal information dossier you have submitted to the service provider.

The unit may also respond automatically to other emergency situations such as a fire (as smoke detectors are installed within the unit). The mobile alarm button allows soliciting help even if you are in the garden or porch, within 50 meters of the unit, and cannot go back into the house.

The Tunstall Emergency Response Service is especially beneficial for over-60s age group, seniors and elderly people, for some of whom, dialing a number on the conventional phone during an emergency may seem a herculean task. And being priced at just 55p per day, it is surprisingly affordable to have this automated security system installed in your home!

The freak disappearance and subsequent death of a 21 year old Australian backpacker, Britt Lapthorne, has inspired a whole new application for iPhone, which has not only been critically acclaimed but has also made common iPhone users sit up and take notice. Unlike other iPhone apps that usually deal with upgrading the gadget to even better tweaks and fine-tuned features, the ‘I am Safe’ iPhone app, as named by developer Tim Hine from Melbourne, Australia, works as an emergency panic button – notifying five predetermined family, friends or colleagues of imminent danger or threat to the owner of the iPhone within seconds.

Tim Hine, who is responsible for marketing the new app through Xpertise Mobile, his new company, says that a few hundred copies of the app have already been sold to a consumer base that encompasses over 38 countries. It has been mainly targeted towards the female segment of the iPhone users as well as for the elderly people. The ‘I am Safe’ app does the following when solicited for use in an emergency situation:

• Sends a prerecorded SMS message (pretty much an SOS) to 5 friends, family members of colleagues, who have been selected by the owner beforehand
• Also sends an email message to the same lot
• Sends across a prerecorded voice message, again to the same guys
• Records the whole process and incident and saves it in the server for reference in consequent events or just for the record

But why is the app being called the real savior of the elderly or backpacking girls? The reason is the incorporation of a Google map that tracks the location of the owner. This way, not only can the victim of an accident or mugging be accessed immediately with the use of the ‘I am Safe’ app, the actual evidence and related elements can also be picked up from the exact location of the incident.

The only issue with the app is (as with any other cellphone application) you got to have ‘Signal’ when you solicit for help. The absence of this little element can pretty much render the app ineffective, but isn’t it the case with all applications in general, no matter how perfect they are?

Is the world a safe place for elderly women and seniors over 65? Not with guys like Jack Rhodes around – a man convicted on 13th October, 2009 for assaulting and mugging three defenseless aged women, one of whom was no less than a 101 years!

New York City is no stranger to burglaries, thefts and mugging. However, the case of Jack Rhodes stands out as an outright violation of the New York State Hate Crimes Act of 2000, that have been put in place to render harsher sentences for those assaulting elderly people, taking advantage of their age and loss of strength and agility.

Rhodes, who is no tipsy teenager himself, being 47, can get a sentence of up to 90 years in prison for charges that account for burglary, robbery and assault.

Morat, 101, was attacked and assaulted by Rhodes two years back. She was hit in the face and lost her walker, falling face down on the concrete pavement. Surveillance camera records proved it was Rhodes, and a background check by the police revealed more similar assaults on elderly women. Solange Elizee, 81 was attacked only about 30 minutes after the Morat mugging, and another aged woman, Angela Khan, then 51 had been hit and robbed by the same assailant a year back.

Commenting on Rhodes’ conviction, Richard Brown, the Queens’ District Attorney quipped, “The defendant’s propensity to savagely accost elderly and defenseless women, two of whom need the aide of a walker to get around, was rightly condemned by today’s guilty verdict”.

However, to avoid such incidents from happening over and over again, not only police surveillance, but easy-to-use mobile phones can also come in handy for elderly people, especially, to solicit help while or after being mugged or assaulted.

Did you know that about a third of Americans who are aged over 65 suffer unintentional falls each year? Even more concerning is 16,000 cases resulting in death have been registered in the US due to unintentional elderly falls.

Now that you have sat up and taken notice (and probably worried for your over 65 parents living in another state or city), here are some facts that are even more alarming. The number of falls in the elderly population has been increasing by leaps since the last decade, and almost 2 million aged people were treated last year for injuries resulting from falls.

Statistics show elderly women fall more than men. However, fatal injuries resulting from unintentional falls are more prominent among men than women. Serious problems like brain hemorrhage, hip injuries, fractures, sprains and paralyses are most common due to elderly falls.

Preventing falls among the elderly can be reduced significantly – provided you take precautionary measures:

• Keep Active – Inactive or sedentary people often suffer falls more than active or fit individuals. As one ages, exercise and a healthy diet regime is what defines the line between healthy and the one routed for as possible fall.
• Mind Your Feet – Change your footwear to the more comfortable brands. It is advisable not to wear high-heels or shoes that you are not comfortable walking in. For men, it is advised not to wear shoes that do not have anti-slipping grids in the sole. While at home walk bare feet rather than in shoes.
• Fall-Proof Space – Fall-proof devices such as walkers and hold-on railings can be installed in order to prevent elderly falls within the house itself.
• Alarms – Medical or emergency alarms can also be fitted in the house at different places to ensure that the injured person can immediately call for help if they have fallen.
• Phones – In the event of a fall it’s critical to receive care from a emergency services or a family member as quickly as possible. Having the correct phone is a must. Many phones are now fitted with emergency pendants that can be pressed in the event of an accident. The pendant will activate the telephone handset to commence dialing pre-set telephone numbers so the injured can receive swift medical care.

Preventing falls does not require over-indulgence from your side or limiting the freedom of the elderly. All it needs is a little care and respect for the safety norms issued by medical professionals.

Almost 75%-80% of Americans worry about how they will take care of themselves in the later stages of their life. This concern stems from the present scenario, where many elderly people suffer from dementia and a lack of clear perception. It has become more evident with a lot of cases being reported where people over the age of 65 have gone missing or turned up miles away from their homes – reason, dementia!

But as with many other issues of contemporary living, technology has found a solution for this too. Cell phones and GPS tracking systems such as Zoombak (Buy Now) have made it really easy for the police as well as concerned relatives and friends to track down a missing or wayward elderly person.

The cell phone tracking software has been a boon to the police too, as many officials from the Missing Persons Units have declared it as one of the ideal tools to rescue a lost person. With more people realizing that phones for the elderly are a necessity than a luxury, cell phone GPS tracking has also risen in relevance.

All one needs to take advantage of the cell phone tracking software is a phone connection and a GPS enabled cell phone. With portals such as www.phonesforelderly.com, it has become a lot easier to make the best buy even for an elderly person on one’s own. All one needs to do is to consult such a portal and all allied information will be made available within a few clicks.

Not just the elderly, you too can keep a track of your teenage children as well as kids through the cell phone GPS tracking systems. Available within affordable pricing ranges, protecting your loved ones may not be an expensive matter after all.

With the monetary investments (read losses) and emotional turmoil that one has to go through when an elderly parent goes missing, isn’t it advisable to invest one-hundredth of the same for subscribing to a cell phone tracking software provider?

After all, ‘Prevention is always better than cure’!

A recent survey suggests two thirds of children choose elderly and long term care over allowing a parent or relative to live independely at home, even though 76% of older people would rather stay in their own home.

Saga, which provides insurance, financial services and holidays to over 50s, asked 11,809 people how they felt about deciding the future of old or vulnerable relatives.

A combination of work commitments and not having the space to look after a parent or relative were the main reasons children opted for elderly care. Only one in 10 people survey had taken on the role of looking after a parent but they generally found the responsibility too great.

Andrew Goodsell, CEO of Saga, says: “Older people are fiercely independent and the vast majority (76%) hope to spend their final years living at home.”

In some cases appropriate elderly care is needed, however if older people would prefer to stay put surely their wishes should respected. By taking the necessary steps to ensure a parent or relative can live independently will help reduce the anxiety felt by both parties on making the decision for appropriate elderly care.

If you decide to keep a parent at home rather than moving them in to elderly care it’s important to make sure they can contact you in the case of an emergency. Start by getting them a simple cell phone or better still a medical emergency phone.

For further assistance Life Solutions offers some helpful advice on independent living. If your eye sight isn’t what it used to be check out Magnifier mouse for people with low vision and Scott Front highlights from personal experience how a simple cane can be so useful. Elder Care ABC also has some useful information on How to deal with aging parents.

Medical alarm systems help reduce the safety risks if you live alone or you are concerned about a parent or an elderly grandparent. Unfortunately, in many cases families tend to wait until an emergency or someone close to them has a fall before deciding to purchase a medical alarm system, which is too late. As simple as it may sound, yourself or your loved one needs a medical alarm before an emergency, not after!

In most cases medical alarm systems are easy to set up and there are many options available, from basic personal emergency alarms to medical alert emergency response services.

Although medical alarms are generally used for medical emergencies they can also be used for personal safety and protecting your home.

Which medical alarm system should I buy?

This depends on the features you require, how much you are willing to pay and the level of response needed. Below you will find a number of different options.

Tamper Proof Magnetic Pull Cord Alarm

Is a basic pull cord alarm that is ideal for people who do not live alone but may require assistance from family members during the night while they are sleeping. During an emergency carers who may be sleeping will wake from the noise of the alarm, which is of a similar volume to a smoke alarm. When magnetic pull switch is removed the alarm is activated. The pull switch can be activated from any direction and has an easy-to-use On/Off switch for activation-deactivation.

Easily mounted on wheelchair or bed and comes with an alligator clip for attachment to patients clothing. The pull cord alarm is a no frills medical alarm at a budget price of less than $50.00.

Purchase Now – through Amazon US – Tamper Proof Magnetic Pull Cord Alarm

Telemergency Pro-Elite 700C with Wireless Help Pendant

The Telemergency Pro with Wireless Help Pendant is a mid range medical alarm system for patients and carers. If the patient lives on their own we recommend this product as an entry level system as the medical alarm system connects to your telephone and dials “911″ and up to five telephone numbers of your choice with a single click. Also, the Telemergency 700C comes with a wireless pendant which activates the call center remotely and sends a pre-recorded emergency message to your carer or family when required.

The emergency pendant has two buttons. One to activate the alarm system and one to cancel. This can be a confusing for elderly patients during an emergency but as long as the person using it knows which button to push on the pendant the system will work correctly. Set up of the emergency phone numbers takes a little time but all in all the Telemergency Pro-Elite 700C does what it says and is a very good entry level medical alarm system for under $100.

Purchase Now – through Amazon US – Telemergency Pro-Elite 700C with Wireless Help Pendant

Medical Alarm System – Professionally Monitored Call System

This is a low cost, high quality medical alert system which costs less than $1 a day for complete piece of mind.

The Aegis Medical Alert System represents a complete home medical alert system. Patients will have instant contact with Help Advisers who are on standing-by 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to respond to medical emergencies.

The console can be placed on a table or wall mounted and comes with a simple one-touch waterproof pendant that can be worn on the wrist or around the neck. In the event of an emergency a simple press of a button will activate the alarm system to automatically dial for help, providing immediate access to emergency services. Help Advisers will then take the necessary steps to contact emergency services, family members or a carer.

The console is currently priced at $99.99 and ongoing monitoring starts from $22.95 per month. Less that $1 a day. A small price to pay for yours or a loved ones safety. The Aegis Medical Alarm System includes:

• Two-way voice
• Suitable for temporary or permanent installations
• Braille characters for emergency, home, and clear functions
• Speaker phone capability
• Delayed, silent alarm feature
• Selectable inactivity reporting: 8, 12, or 24 hours
• Selectable two-way voice activation
• Single telephone seizure and true phone line seizure capability
• Distinct alarm tones provided for emergency and fire alarm conditions
• Power on/off switch
• Backup battery size: 12 volts, 1.2 Amp/hour (32 hour backup)
• 7.5″ W x 8.75″ H x 3″ D

Purchase Now – through Amazon US – Medical Alert System – Professionally Monitored Call System

Upgrade to the Amplicom PowerTel 50 Alarm Plus for reassurance in the case of an emergency involving yourself, parent or grandparent.

Emergency Call Pendant

In the event of an accident or fall the emergency pendant, which can be attached to the wrist or around the neck, can be pressed. A wireless signal is sent back to the handset activating the telephone to automatically call 3 phone numbers programmed in to the Amplicom PowerTel 50. Landlines, mobile phone numbers and emergency services can be added as contacts. The emergency pendant is also water resistant for added protection.

For the hard of hearing the call volume can be increased up to +40db and the built in induction loop makes the phone fully hearing aid compatible. If you have difficulty hearing your current phone changing to the PowerTel 50 should fix that problem. The ringing volume can be increased to 90dB, which is the equivalent of a heavy truck passing or the noise of city traffic – so you will never miss a call!

The phone has big back lit buttons for easy dialling and a large simple to read caller display. Up to 30 numbers can be programmed in to the phone and there is also a hands free speaker phone option.

Features at a glance:

• Amplified Telephone with Emergency Pendant
• Call Volume up to 40dB
• Ringer Volume up to 90dB
• Hearing aid compatible – Built in Inductive Loop
• Backlit Large Button keypad
• Name and Number Directory x 30
• Caller Display
• Handsfree Speaker phone
• Speed Dial Buttons x 2
• Wall Mountable

Purchase Now – through Amazon UK – Amplicom PowerTel 50 Alarm Plus