Posts Tagged ‘emergency plan’
Life in the Senior Lane: Emergency Contacts and Electronic Monitoring
By Maryan Jaross, Senior Wealth Manager at Gold Medal Waters
This new series of articles will focus on issues facing Seniors. As a founding member and the Board Director of Colorado Senior Advisors, I have the opportunity to work with and learn from a number of people who provide services that Seniors sometimes need. This series will cover a variety of topics including emergency contacts, Aging-in-Place, Medicare issues, senior real-estate issues, decluttering, long-term care, hospice, and funeral planning.
So, let’s get started.
“Hi Mom! Just calling to see how you’re doing today.” It’s great when Mom answers the phone or your email so that you know she’s okay. But what do you do when you can’t reach her for a day or two … or three? What is your plan? Perhaps you have the phone number of a neighbor or someone who works in her building that you can call if you’re concerned. But, do they have your contact information?
These are very basic issues that we need to work through with family members, and sometimes close friends, as we and they, travel life’s path. Similar to having an emergency plan in case of a hurricane, tornado, or earthquake, families need to establish protocols for staying in touch.
In the 1990s, the “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” commercials became such a cliche that we forgot that falls in the home are actually very common. Research shows that one-third of all people over the age of 65 and half of all people over age 90 will fall each year. Getting help within four hours can dramatically reduce the severity and long-term effects of these falls. There are a number of organizations that provide electronic monitoring, but that means that you or your loved one must be willing to wear a bracelet or pendant with an emergency button. Depending on the set of instructions you’ve set up with the monitoring company, a press of the button can call an ambulance, call your doctor, notify you or someone you’ve designated, or have a neighbor check in on the person. There are even automated medication dispensers that can simplify medication management.
As you have taken the time to work with us to create a Financial Plan, please make the effort to create an emergency plan with family and friends, and perhaps consider electronic monitoring for those living alone. There are many options available to help you monitor your loved ones, even if they are far away. While it can be a difficult topic to bring up, when you have a plan in place, everyone will sleep better at night. And if an emergency arises, it might make a big difference in the life of that family member or friend.
