She certainly isn’t what most people think of as a vulnerable older person, but Dame Mary Peters feels safer knowing she can call for help at the touch of a button.
For people like former Olympic athlete Dame Mary Peters, winter with its cold weather and dark evenings can cause them to feel a little less secure in their homes and gardens. Dame Mary, who spends lots of time working in her garden between all her social engagements, realizes that a minor slip could turn into something major if it went unnoticed.
Although she is fit and active, the 76-year-old has explained to her friends that she gets a great deal of peace of mind knowing that if she had a fall she could call for help. As someone who has experienced slips and falls previously (albeit minor ones), Dame Mary says that if possible it is important to plan for all eventualities.
The knowledge that someone as fit and confident is happy for people to know she wears one of the handy pendant alarms for the elderly when she is alone at home will probably encourage others to investigate what devices are available for them. The knowledge that help will be available if they need it can even widen people’s horizons, allowing them to carry on working around the house and garden and carrying out tasks they enjoy.
The winter months bring more problems than just the cold for older people. Fallen leaves can cause driveways and paths to become really slippery, causing some people to avoid the situation and stay indoors. This, of course, can lead to increased isolation and greater vulnerability.
Fear of falling is enough to prevent some older people from doing the things they really want to at home. When someone has experienced a fall, they can lose confidence and tend to avoid situations where slipping or falling is possible. Although it is sensible to avoid accidents whenever possible, being too risk-averse can be worse because it can curtail independence so much. Companies such as Aster Telecare can supply pendant alarms for the elderly that will restore confidence because their users know that help would be available at the touch of a button whenever it was needed.
The idea that using a pendant alarm somehow signifies that the user is weak or vulnerable has now gone completely. With the alarm connected to a call centre that is manned 24 hours a day, the knowledge that help is at hand can give people who are alone at home increased confidence. As Dame Mary Peters says, it is a positive step that older people can take towards maintaining their independence, and she sees it as a practical solution.
Aster will be happy to carry out a free assessment, and you can even have a free eight-week trial period to see if a personal alarm is for you. If you are someone who would like the reassurance a personal alarm provides, why not check out what is available today?