In Newcastle, Terry became concerned after not seeing her 83-year-old neighbor for more than a day, unusual in their usually close-knit routine. When she went to check on her, she found the elderly woman on the floor with a broken hip, unable to stand or reach the phone. She had been there for hours with no way to call for help.
This experience left a lasting impact on Terry.
“This should never have happened,” she said. “With the right safety equipment, help could have arrived much sooner. »
A fall can be a serious or even fatal event for Australians aged over 65. Australian and New Zealand Falls Prevention Society, nearly one in three older Australians falls each year. Hundreds of thousands of elderly people living alone face a life-threatening situation if they fall in their home.
The true impact of autumn statistics on older Australians
Elderly people falling in their homes and not being able to call for help is something industry experts hear time and time again.
Personal Alarms Australia specializes in personal alarms for the elderly. The devices detect if an elderly person falls and immediately connect them to emergency contacts. Unfortunately, not many families know these devices exist and only discover it after a fall.
The scariest part isn’t always the fall itself; he is there for hours or even daysunable to call for help. We get calls from families after incidents, and they always say the same thing: ‘I wish we’d known about this sooner,'” says a Personal Alarms Australia representative.
Technology has improved over time. Modern personal alarm systems feature automatic fall detection, GPS tracking, and two-way communication. Ten years ago, personal alarm systems only had a simple “help” button.
A woman named Jenny became concerned when an elderly neighbor announced he wanted to leave a care home and return to his own home.
“The personal alarm with fall detection gave us the confidence we needed and has been safely independent ever since,” shares Jenny.
Government Funding Options for Personal Alarms in Australia
Australian Government programs make these vital devices available to people at little or no cost, but many are unaware of this. Funding is available to eligible older people through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), Home Care Packages and the NDIS. All of these programs fund personal alarms.
When Garry’s mother had chest pains at night, she didn’t want to worry anyone. Worried after this incident, Garry looked at his personal alarms.
I researched options and found out she was eligible for help through him. Home care Pack. Less than a week after receiving her personal alarm, she had another episode and fell. The device contacted me immediately and I was able to talk to it through it,” explains Garry.
Some older people want to be safe, but don’t want to wear the regular emergency button because of the stigma. Active seniors like medical alert watch because it doesn’t sound like a personal alarm. These devices are comfortable for everyday wear and feature advanced fall detection and GPS tracking.
How Personal Alarm Technology Supports Safe, Independent Aging
It can be difficult for families to navigate the different options for elder care. Understanding the technology available can mean the difference between placing a person in a nursing home and keeping them at home. Most older Australians want to stay at home, study finds.
Personal Alarms Australia also offers big button cell phones for seniors who have difficulty using standard smartphone interfaces. This is an often overlooked need, and flip phones offer older users a way to communicate without getting frustrated.
As Australia’s population ages, the technology to keep it safe will continue to evolve. Technology and government support can help keep older adults safe and independent.
We’re not trying to scare people, but the data shows that falls are a significant risk. risk for the elderly Australians. What we want people to know is that there are affordable and effective solutions, often covered by government funding. You don’t need to wait until something bad happens before you take action,” says a Personal Alarms Australia spokesperson.
What the fall risk data reveals for older Australians
Falls remain one of the biggest risks for older adults, but solutions to the problem are improving. Government programs like the NDIS and home care programs have made it possible personal alarms affordable for families who want to protect their elderly loved ones and help them live independently.
Tens of thousands of Australians already use personal alarms. Real-world evidence shows that rapid response after a fall helps, and that early care in a medical emergency helps prevent serious outcomes. It’s clear that proactive action, technology and government funding are helping to improve the safety of older people and give their families and friends peace of mind.
About Personal Alarms Australia
Personal Alarms Australia is a 100% Australian company based in Salamander Bay, New South Wales. The company specializes in affordable personal alarm solutions, including fall detection devices, medical alert watches and large-button mobile phones. Many products are eligible for NDIS and Home Care Package funding.
