SPONSORED: Worried about your aging parents living alone? - MetroFamily Magazine
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SPONSORED: Worried about your aging parents living alone?

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It was late at night. Cindy had fallen while walking through her home and was unable to get up or to reach her phone to call for help.

That was the moment that the birthday gift that she didn’t want saved her life. Cindy was one of the first people in our area to become a customer of Homelife Care, a new medical alert system offered by Cox Communications. Oklahoma City is the first metro area in the U.S. where this system is available.

But in spite of her medical and mobility issues, Cindy didn’t think she needed the Homelife Care system that her son Ron had purchased for her. In fact, when the Cox technician came to her door to setup the system, Cindy nearly turned him away. But Ron insisted.

“My mom doesn’t get around really well,” Ron said. “If something happens to her, I want to make sure she’s not just sitting there.”

Grudgingly, Cindy accepted her birthday gift, still thinking she’d never need it. And now here she was, weeks later, on the floor in the middle of the night, unable to get up or summon help. Thankfully, the automatic fall detection pendant had already alerted local paramedics about her accident and help was on the way.

Peace of mind for loved ones caring for elderly parents

Cindy’s story is more common than you think. Today, thousands of aging parents are being cared for by their adult children. But because many caregivers have jobs and families of their own, it’s not always possible for them to be at their parents’ sides as often as they’d like.

“What makes the Cox Homelife Care medical alert system different is that it was designed with both seniors and their caregivers in mind, providing them with a sense of security and peace of mind,” said Bruce Berkinshaw of Cox Communications. “And it’s all backed by Cox Communications technology.”

Homelife Care is a series of smart devices connected via a central wireless hub that includes cellular connectivity so no phone line or Internet connection is required. The devices are fully integrated and give instant access to trained personal care professionals, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“There’s also an optional voice-enabled device that allows seniors to call for help by saying ‘Call 9-1-1’ three times,” Berkinsaw said.

The Homelife Care Family App for smart phones is a unique element of the system designed with the adult children of senior parents in mind. The app sends alerts to caregivers whenever any of the Homelife Care devices are activated, providing status updates on loved ones.

Each Homelife Care system is completely setup by a Cox licensed technician who tests the devices and trains family members in the use of the equipment — free of charge, Berkinshaw added.

Reducing long-term injury with fast response

One of the most important devices of Homelife Care is the automatic fall detection pendant – the device that saved Cindy. This attractive, high tech pendant is waterproof and lightweight, so seniors can wear it discreetly. Should the wearer experience a fall, the pendant automatically sends an alert to local care professionals.

“Every second of every day in the United States an older adult falls. And every 19 minutes an older adult dies from a fall, making falls the number one cause of injuries and deaths from injury among older Americans. How quickly someone gets help when they’ve fallen can make the difference between life and death,” said Alison Jacobson, a national family safety expert.

“The presence of a medical alert system that ensures prompt response can make all the difference in better outcomes,” Jacobson said. “Even less serious injuries can have a major impact if a person falls and is without help for an extended period of time.”

Even with the added security of a medical alert system like Homelife Care, Jacobson said that the smart move is to make a safety assessment of a senior’s residence, taking precautions by removing items that could cause falls. Ensuring that carpets are secured, staircases are free of obstruction and well lit, and moving furniture to create ample walking space can greatly reduce the risk of a fall.

Independence for seniors, helpful to caregivers

Cindy has recovered from her fall and her son Ron is thankful for the peace of mind that Homelife Care continues to provide.

“This system pretty much saved her life. It’s the best birthday gift I ever gave my Mom,” he said.

This article is sponsored by Cox Communications. 

 

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