Your older loved ones may be aging, but that doesn’t mean they plan to live reclusive lives with little to no activity. While the seniors in your life may have certain limitations or medical concerns, many older adults continue to lead active, busy lives. With that in mind, it is imperative to follow some simple, commonsense tips to keep your loved ones enjoying life to the fullest:
When Traveling
If the older adult is traveling, be sure to know his or her itinerary, hotel location, flight numbers, etc. Even if he or she is traveling with a group, it’s always a good idea to keep tabs on the individual’s whereabouts. Better yet, ask your loved one to call, text, and/or email periodically to let you know that he or she is doing well and is safe. Having an ongoing connection even while that person away lets your loved one know you care while providing you with peace of mind with a medical alert button.
When Driving
Help your loved one keep the car up to date in every way. That includes having valid car insurance, keeping the gas tank full (to avoid being stranded with an empty tank). You also need to do routine maintenance and staying current with inspections. In the event that the car is part of a national recall, make an appointment with your local dealer as soon as possible to get the car fixed. All of these proactive measures can prevent costly repairs and accidents.
When Exercising
Make sure your loved one eases into exercise. In other words, if he or she wants to take up golf, consider starting at the driving range first to build strength before scheduling a tee time for 18-holes!
Stretching before any type of exercise should be done at every age. However, this is more important than ever to prevent muscle pulls and other injuries when the person is older. If the senior citizen has any preexisting health issues, get clearance from a doctor before embarking on any new exercise.
Even with medical clearance, ensure that the senior let the coach, trainer, etc. know about those medical conditions so that the exercises can be modified accordingly. This is especially important with exercises like yoga, where certain positions can be great for one person. But it would be harmful to someone with back or wrist issues for the other one.
When Alone at Home
Keep your loved ones safe by installing a home security system and by using the medical alert button and safety device. Many companies today offer apps that allow friends and family members to monitor (and evens set) the alarms remotely. Depending upon the location of the house, you may also wish to consider motion sensors, cameras, and motion-activated outdoor lights.
In the home, check each room for potential hazards. Area rugs should have no-slip grips underneath. Railings should be secure to support the senior’s weight when climbing or descending the stairs. Non-slip mats in the shower can prevent falls, as well as installing safety rails and guards in the tub and shower.
When it comes to appliances, consider irons, toaster ovens, and curling irons with automatic shut-offs. It will save you in the event that the user forgets to turn the appliance off.
If the senior takes medications, work out a system to remember to take each medication on time. Something as simple as a pill case with multiple compartments for each day of the week. This will help him or her remembers to take each dose at the appropriate time and on the right day.
Some insurance plans allow mail-ordering for refills, to not only make getting medicines more convenient. But those plans also set up a system that automatically refills prescriptions to prevent missing critical doses.
When Doing Anything
Make sure the senior in your life carries the Silent Beacon. This small, lightweight medical alert systems for seniors allows your loved one instant access to friends, family, and emergency personnel. This all happens with one touch of a button.
The device allows the user to input up to seven emergency contacts (including 911). By pairing the Silent Beacon with the free app, the user can trigger an alert by pressing the easy-to-touch button on the device. The alert will then notify his or her contacts that the individual is in need of assistance. These alerts can be sent as phone calls, emails, texts, or a combination of all three.
The Silent Beacon also has a two-way communication feature that allows the user to speak with his or her contacts while waiting for help to arrive. And because there are no call centers that serve as a middleman to first responders, pressing the alert allows emergency personnel to receive the call for help immediately. Thanks to Silent Beacon’s GPS technology, help can instantly pinpoint the user’s location in situations where every minute counts. As far as cost, the Silent Beacon is affordably priced at the one-time fee of $99. It has no recurring charges, memberships, startup costs, or activation fees – and there is never a cancellation fee, either.
Cheers to the Senior Citizen in Your Life!
Obviously, today’s senior citizens are active – and loving life well into their later years. By taking just a few simple preventive measures, you can help the older loved one in your life enjoy activities fully and safely. And with a medical alert button like the Silent Beacon, you and the senior citizen in your life will have peace of mind. With Silent Beacon, He or she travels, exercises and lives life to the fullest after retirement.
