Medical Alert Tops the List of Things Seniors Should Keep Handy

Invest In A Help Button System To Protect Your Parent's Independence

Seniors who want to continue living at home will be more successful if they keep certain items handy in their homes. Medical alert systems top our list of “must haves,” but they aren't the only things that can promote safety and comfort for your loved ones who are living alone. We've put together a list of seven crucial items that every senior should have at home.

1. Medical Alert system. LifeFone offers an outstanding medical alert system that will notify proper emergency care providers if a senior becomes ill, falls, or simply needs immediate assistance. These come with a help button that can be worn as a bracelet or necklace. Two way communication means any time you activate the medical alert device, a specialist will keep in contact with you until help arrives.

2. Extra help buttons for theirmedical alert deviceprovide additional protection. If a senior is sleeping or in the bath or shower, wearing a bracelet or necklace may not be practical, but a help button attached to the bedside table or near the bathroom vanity can give you additional coverage where it's needed most.

3. Medic alert bracelets with health information should be worn by any senior who has a health problem or who takes regular medication. Any time you are injured, become ill, or are in an accident, a medic alert bracelet will give emergency personnel and hospitals crucial information, including any conditions such as diabetes as well as all medications you are taking.

4. A preprogrammed phone. Remembering and dialing phone numbers correctly can be problematic for some seniors. Consider investing in a phone that can be programmed with the most important or commonly used phone numbers, then put a chart next to the phone for easy use. For instance, if your mother is living alone, her phone chart might say: Daughter – press 1; Doctor – press 2; neighbor – press 3...and so on.

5. Safety devices in the bathroom. Grab bars, a shower bench and any other items that will help seniors steady themselves can help prevent slip and fall accidents.

6. A pill organizer. As seniors get older, they usually need to take several medications each day. A clearly labeled pill organizer can prevent overdosing or skipped doses.

7. Does the senior living alone have problems with arthritis or limited mobility? If so, investing in a reaching aid to help them reach things on a shelf or pick up things off the floor more easily will give them some independence and comfort.

If you're helping an elderly parent and want to give him or her as much independence as possible while protecting their health, a medical alert system should be your first investment. More than any other item on our list, this will give your parent a valuable sense of security along with their independence. Knowing that simply pressing a help button means help is on the way will give them – and you - tremendous peace of mind.