Senior Safety: How A Fall Alarm Can Provide Peace of Mind for Loved Ones
As we age, the risk of falling increases. Falls can lead to serious injuries or hospitalisation. For seniors, the fear of falling can be debilitating and can greatly impact their quality of life. For caregivers and loved ones, the fear of a fall can cause constant worry and stress. A fall alarm can provide peace of mind for both seniors and their caregivers by monitoring and protecting them against falls.
Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among seniors, and the risk of falling increases with age. Factors such as poor vision, decreased muscle strength, and certain medical conditions can all contribute to the risk of falling. In addition to physical injuries, falls can also lead to a loss of independence and the need for long-term care.
An fall alarm is a device that can detect falls and alert caregivers or emergency services.
Benefits Of Owning A Fall Alarm
One of the main benefits of an elderly fall alarm is the peace of mind it can provide for caregivers and loved ones. Knowing that a fall can alleviate the constant worry and stress that comes with caring for a loved one. It also allows seniors to continue to live independently in their own homes with confidence
An elderly fall alarm can also provide peace of mind for seniors by giving them the confidence to continue with their daily activities. Many seniors may become hesitant to leave their homes or participate in activities they enjoy out of fear of falling. With the added security of an alarm, seniors can continue to live their lives without the constant fear of falling.
In addition to providing peace of mind, an elderly fall alarm can also save lives. Prompt response to a fall can greatly reduce the risk of serious injury or death. Some alarms can even detect other emergency situations, such as a senior becoming unresponsive, and alert caregivers or emergency services.
What To Consider When Choosing A Fall Alarm
When choosing a fall alarm, it is important to consider the specific needs and preferences of the senior.When choosing an elderly fall alarm, it is important to consider the specific needs and preferences of the senior. Investing in an elderly fall alarm can help seniors to live independently and safely in their own homes
Other considerations could include:
Does the person often go outside of the home? If so a landline based alarm with 100m radius won’t suit, they need a mobile alarm. Isaac Careuses a sim card – it works like a mobile phone meaning it can be used inside and outside the house.
Who does the person want to be on the other end of the line when an alert is raised? Does the provider offer them flexibility to choose if they want a loved one or a call centre, or mix the benefits of both i.e. try a family member first, then try call centre
Does the person have a landline? A mobile fall alarm doesn’t require landline which is a reduced household cost (a lot of older people keep their landlines when they get mobiles because their fall alarms are connected)
Discretion: would the person rather a discreet fall alarm over a red button on their wrist
Flexible payment options: Isaac Care offers three payment options to suit the persons needs
In conclusion, an elderly fall alarm can provide peace of mind for both seniors and their caregivers by monitoring and protecting against falls. These alarms can save lives, reduce the risk of serious injury and give seniors the confidence to continue with their daily activities. Caregivers and loved ones can be alerted immediately in case of emergency, which can help them to respond quickly.
Get in Touch
Our dedicated team are on hand to assist you in any way. Contact us on (042) 936 8391 or fill in your details in the contact form and one of our team will be in touch.
Isaac Care – Supporting People Living with Dementia
With over 20 years’ experience in the care industry, Isaac Care understand the challenges of supporting people living with dementia to live independently. In this blog we will outline how Isaac Care and other resources can support and care for those living with dementia.
There are approximately to be 64,000 people diagnosed with dementia in Ireland and 850,000 over in the UK. It is estimated there will be 150,000 people in Ireland, diagnosed with dementia by 2045. Dementia is an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type.
Support for People Living with Dementia
Alzheimer Society of Ireland – The Alzheimer Society of Ireland works across the country in the heart of local communities providing dementia specific services and supports and advocating for the rights and needs of all people living with dementia and their carers.
Dementia UK – call for free on 0800 888 6678 for support from our dementia specialist Admiral Nurses. The Helpline is open from 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturday to Sunday.
Homecare Supports– Myhomecare and Care 24/7 take the time to understand the person, learn their life story and meet their family so that we can understand how best to meet their specific needs and most importantly improve their quality of life.
Memory Technology Resource Rooms – These rooms are for people who would like to know more about products and devices which can help manage memory difficulties. To find one near you click here.
How Isaac can Support for those caring for someone living with dementia
Isaac Care is committed to supporting those living with dementia and their families. We offer a range of support to help people living with dementia, including:
The Isaac circle of care app – sharing the care responsibility. The Isaac family caring app has been designed to support families in caring for their loved ones. It allows for easy communication and brings together information from our assistive devices into one platform, allowing the relevant circles of care to be kept up to date.
The Isaac Fall alarm – Our next generation fall alarm allows the service user to easily call for help, whether at home or out and about. They have reassurance that our team are there to monitor calls 24/7 and that their family are notified of any fall alert through the Isaac app.
Easily set up GPS Zones and receive notifications when the device enters/leaves these zones e.g. home, shop, supermarket.
The Isaac Health kit – weight decline is a concern for people living with dementia, our remote monitoring service is proactive and keeps an eye on the persons’ health over time allowing for early interventions on the first sign of declining health.
The Isaac Ambient Sensors – These discreet sensors are placed throughout the home and detect patterns of activity, alerting if there is any concerning change in pattern including doors opening in the middle of the night or changes in daily patterns of behaviour.
“Provides peace of mind for me because I know where he is and if he has a fall, it alerts me straight away. I can check on the GPS and find him immediately”
– Marion Mooney, Primary Carer
Activities For People With Dementia
There is no one-size-fits-all answer when itcomes to finding activities for people with dementia. However, some general tips may be useful in finding activities that are both enjoyable and beneficial for someone with dementia.
Some things to keep in mind when choosing activities include:
The person’s interests and abilities. What did they enjoy doing before they developed dementia? What are they still able to do?
The level of support needed. Some activities may require more assistance than others.
The environment. Is the activity taking place in a safe and familiar setting?
Having dementia doesn’t mean you can no longer do the things you once enjoyed. There are a range of activities that will help improve the overall wellbeing of someone with Dementia
Exercise. Even moderate exercise can improve mood, sleep, and overall health.
Social: Staying social is so important for everyone’s mental well-being. Stay in touch with friends or join a social group such as walking or look out for dementia friendly classes to help you stay active.
Reminiscence work: Share past life experiences or stories using videos, photos or through music. Being unable to recall memories, or people can be a stressful event for individuals. Reminiscence therapy helps to elicit positive memories without the pressure and confusion of continuous direct questioning.
It’s important to experiment with different activities to find what works best for the person with dementia. What is pleasurable for one person may not be enjoyable for another. It may take some trial and error to find the right activity, but it’s worth the effort to help improve the quality of life for someone with dementia.
Managing Dementia
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing dementia, as each person experiences the condition differently. Treatment focuses on slowing the progression of the disease and managing symptoms.
After diagnoses there is ways, you can help manage dementia and to maintain independence for as long as possible. Ways you can manage it are lifestyle interventions, such as exercise, diet and social engagement, can help people with dementia live better lives.
Another way to help manage dementia is to provide emotional support. This can include being a good listener, providing encouragement, and offering reassurance. It is also important to be patient and to understand that the person with dementia may not be able to communicate as well as they used to.
Finally, you can help by providing practical assistance. Isaac Care can assist in this way through the use of the Reminder feature, to remind the person to take medication, about upcoming events or appointments. Isaac Cares Two Way Call feature is also beneficial so that the person can receive help from a loved one or medical professional if needed.
By providing support in these ways, you can help the person with dementia to maintain their independence and quality of life.
Get in Touch
Our dedicated team are on hand to assist you in any way. Contact us on (042) 936 8391 or fill in your details in the contact form and one of our team will be in touch.
Remote patient monitoring has been rapidly gaining in popularity in recent years. In an age when mobile devices are available to everyone, remote patient monitoring can be convenient and effective, enabling people to take charge of their own health. But what is it, and how does it work?
In this blog post, we will discuss remote patient monitoring, how it works and how it can benefit both patients and healthcare providers.
What is Remote Patient Monitoring?
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is a method of healthcare delivery that uses technology to monitor patients remotely. This can be done via phone, computer, or another type of remote device. RPM allows healthcare providers to collect data from patients and then make decisions about their care based on that data.
Health data may be collected manually and entered into a remote patient monitoring system or it may use biosensors, fitness trackers, and other wellness devices to automatically or continuously gather health data. The collected data is then securely sent to healthcare providers in another location for real-time update, assessment, and intervention. Providers may want to measure a patient’s heart rate, vital signs, sleep patterns, and glucose levels, among others. Through this system, clinicians can continue caring for their patients remotely.
10 Benefits of Remote Patient Monitoring
There are many benefits to using RPM, both for patients and healthcare providers. Here are just a few.
1. RPM can help to improve patient outcomes by allowing healthcare providers to more closely monitor their patients’ health.
2. Remote patient monitoring benefits not only patients but also their caregivers. The RPM tools of today include the patient’s caregiver in the plan of care by allowing them access to record vital signs and provide progress reports. The caregiver can participate in and influence the care of their loved one with RPM.
3. Remote patient monitoring bridges the barrier of access by providing care to patients where they are, when they need it. It can be used to reach patients in rural areas, and connect patients to specialists who they otherwise would not have access to.
4. RPM can reduce the number of hospitalizations and emergency department visits, as well as the length of hospital stays.
5. RPM can help to lower healthcare costs by reducing the need for office visits and other face-to-face interactions between healthcare providers and patients.
6. As a result of severe staffing shortages, RPM can help reduce the burden of overscheduled in-person visits by enabling clinicians to provide some of that care virtually.
7. Access to healthcare is becoming more difficult for patients. Remote patient monitoring can help physicians provide care for more patients wherever they may be.
8. Remote patient monitoring provides the opportunity for more physicians and clinicians to expand their care and reach more patients, which can lead to an additional revenue stream.
9. Patients and primary carers avoid the inconveniences and expenses of travel, parking, childcare, and/or taking time off work.
10. RPM helps in the prevention of infectious diseases. With RPM, patients do not have to visit the hospital or clinic where they are vulnerable to contract an infection. Avoiding an in-person visit eliminates the risk of unnecessary exposure—particularly for the elderly and those who are chronically ill, pregnant, or otherwise immunocompromised.
How Does Remote Patient Monitoring Work?
Even after learning the definition of RPM, there is still some confusion on how RPM actually works.
Using a RPM, a provider can collect a variety of patient health data such as blood pressure, heart rate, weight, blood sugar levels and vital signs.
To collect health data, the patient is provided with a device. It is necessary for remote patient monitoring devices to be electronically connected, which is most often achieved via cellular networking or Bluetooth.
As a result of analyzing this data, the provider can provide health and wellness guidance and directions to the patient. Once the device has been properly configured, health data is captured by the device and is transmitted from the patient to the provider, usually electronically, after it has been set up properly.
How is Remote Patient Monitoring Set Up?
There are a few different ways that remote patient monitoring can be set up. The most common way is for patients to use special devices that measure various health data points. These devices then transmit the data wirelessly to a central hub, where it can be monitored by healthcare professionals.
Another way to set remote patient monitoring is through the use of wearable devices, such as fitness trackers. These devices also collect health data, which can be transmitted wirelessly and used to monitor a patient’s health status.
The setting up of Isaacs RPM feature is easy as it’s all on the Isaac Care app. Catherine a Primary Carer spoke about the peace of mind that it brought her and her mother who uses the Isaac Pendant.
“I’d give the Isaac Care App a five-star rating, I’m really delighted with it, I’m not particularly tech savvy and I find it really easy to use.’’ – Catherine Rogers
Remote Patient Monitoring VS Patient Monitoring
There are a few key differences between remote patient monitoring and patient monitoring.
Patient monitoring generally refers to any type of monitoring that is done in a clinical setting, such as a hospital or doctor’s office. This type of monitoring usually requires some type of equipment, such as a blood pressure monitor or heart rate monitor. The data from these types of monitors is then typically recorded on charts or graphs.
Remote patient monitoring, on the other hand, does not require any special equipment. Instead, remote patient monitoring uses technology to collect data from patients who are not in a clinical setting. This data can be collected through devices that the patients wear, such as fitness trackers or smart watches. It can also be collected through apps that the patients use on their smartphones.
One of the key advantages of remote patient monitoring is that it can be done from anywhere in the world. This is a huge benefit for both patients and doctors. Patients can be monitored from the comfort of their own homes, and doctors can monitor their patients without having to be in the same room.
Different Types of Remote Patient Monitoring
Vital signs monitoring is the most common type of RPM. It allows healthcare providers to collect data on a patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and other vital signs. This data can be used to detect changes in the patient’s condition and to make decisions about their care.
Disease management is another type of RPM. It uses data collected from patients to help manage chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. Disease management programs can help patients better understand their condition, make lifestyle changes, and adhere to their treatment plan.
Medication adherence is another type of RPM. It uses data collected from patients to track whether they are taking their medications as prescribed. Medication adherence programs can help patients stay on track with their medication regimen and avoid potentially harmful side effects.
Behavioral health is another type of RPM. It uses data collected from patients to track mental health symptoms and behavior’s. Behavioral health programs can help patients identify early signs of mental illness, get the treatment they need, and prevent potentially harmful behavior’s.
Michael is an Isaac Care user who also uses the ISAAC Care blood pressure feature. His doctor is part of his Circle of Care on the app, and she has access to the results which assists with managing his blood pressure medication allowing for continuous care without in-person GP visits.
“I wouldn’t be without it. I have returned to meeting friends in my local and once again walking the Cooley mountains. It provides me the freedom to live life without fear just by knowing I am never alone”. – Michael
In conclusion, remote patient monitoring (RPM) is a promising tool for improving the quality of healthcare. RPM has the potential to improve the quality of care for both patients and providers. If you’re considering remote patient monitoring for your practice or home, we can help. Our team of experts can guide you through the process of setting up and using this technology to improve the quality of care for you or your patients.
Get in Touch
Our dedicated team are on hand to assist you in any way. Contact us on (042) 936 8391 or fill in your details in the contact form and one of our team will be in touch.
I was interested in the pendant from a security point of view and for peace of mind. My mother and father-in-law are both in their 70’s and live quite rural, which is quite a distance away from family members.
What feature of the Isaac Pendant do you value the most?
The best and quickest feature is being able to speak to her quickly, as opposed to traditional fall alarms that just call you.
When my mother-in-law had been feeling unwell, I could reassure her through the pendant that we were on our way and someone would be with her soon. Thankfully she was fine but just to know that she was ok, lucid and able to speak to me was a big thing.
** Most Traditional Fall Alarms are static alarms and do not allow for two-way communication, a call centre will call should the alarm go off.
“The best and quickest feature is being able to speak to her quickly, as opposed to traditional fall alarms that just call you.”
Debbie Curtis
Primary Carer
What’s the biggest change you’ve found since you started using the Pendant?
You don’t worry about them so much because you know they are ok.
My farther in law loves to do some farming and their grounds are quite large. You know that if something happens to them outside of the house they can still be able to quickly make contact with you and you can locate them via the Pendant and the Family care App if they weren’t in the house.
“You know that if something happens to them outside of the house they can still be able to quickly make contact with you and you can locate them .”
Debbie Curtis
Primary Carer
What’s most valuable to yourself and your family about using the Pendant?
The peace of mind is the big thing! Since having it, my mother-in-law had been feeling unwell and it was great she has been able to call me through the pendant
The person I’m caring for has a disability, she needs support and needs to be able to call on that support if an emergency arises. She lives on her own and has a disability, as a family we want to support her independence and make sure she has the support she needs. This is absolutely the kind of device we have been looking for.
“Within seconds I’m speaking directly to her through the pendant as if I was talking to her through a phone”
Padraig O’Hora
Primary Carer
What feature of the Isaac Pendant do you value the most?
It’s the very fact that she can press a button and within seconds I’m speaking directly to her through the pendant as if I was talking to her through a phone, it’s a really strong feature.
What’s the biggest change you’ve found since you started using the Pendant?
I have confidence in the fact that if something happened, she has the ability to immediately contact me and to alert me to the fact she’s in trouble. It’s confidence inspiring to see that the Isaac Pendant two-way communication system does work, that’s the biggest thing for us.
“It’s confidence inspiring to see that the Isaac Pendant two-way communication system does work, that’s the biggest thing for us.”
Padraig O’Hora
Primary Carer
Star Rating
Ah sure It couldn’t be anything less, because it does everything I would want it to do it would have to be 5 stars.
Client Testimonial – Mary Matthews, Isaac Pendant User
What peaked your interest in the Isaac Pendant?
We have one of the traditional landline-based fall alarms out in the hall but it’s not very much good to me. So, when I heard that the pendant can be used outside the house, I thought I’d give that one a go.
*The Isaac Pendant uses a Sim-Card, like a mobile phone, so it can work anywhere in the world.
“I’m quite active and like being out and about so it’s great that it works outside of the house!”
Mary Matthews
Isaac pendant user
What feature of the Isaac Pendant do you value the most?
Oh, being able to bring it with me, I’m quite active and like being out and about so it’s great that it works outside of the house! At the moment I’m alone in the house so every night I have it up in the bedroom with me, it’s very handy, very handy if anything happens.
Is there anything more comfortable or confident doing now with the Pendant?
I bring my mobile phone everywhere with me, but the pendant is instant. If anything happens, I can just press the button and be instantly connected to my two daughters. It’s very fast at connecting.
**The Isaac Pendant works through the push of a button and by detecting a fall, allowing users who may be unable to press the button to send alerts and receive care.
“It’s very handy because it can alarm by itself or by the push of a button.”
Mary Matthews
Isaac Pendant User
Star Rating
5 out of 5, It’s very handy because it can alarm by itself or by the push of a button.
My mother is 80 and in very good health normally, but at Christmas she had a turn and ended up collapsing on the ground, nobody was around. She lives on her own and it was a very frightening experience, we started to worry, what if something worse did happen?
She recovered completely but that’s what started us thinking about getting a fall alarm.
“I’m not particularly tech savvy and I find it really easy to use. I love the zones and being able to see where she is on the map.”
Catherine Rogers
Primary carer
What feature of the Isaac Pendant do you value the most?
My mother is very active and walks everywhere. Before, I was only aware of fall alarms that work inside houses. The fact that this is a mobile fall alarm, and I can set GPS zones is very valuable to me.
Thankfully she hasn’t had to use the pendant, she’s healthy, she hasn’t had any falls or anything, so she hasn’t had to press the pendant looking for assistance. Knowing that it’s there and being able to see that she’s keeping her normal routine is the most valuable thing to us at the minute.
What’s the biggest change you’ve found since you started using the Isaac Pendant?
The pendant is very convenient, I can check if she’s ok without having to ring her. That’s the real change, you find you are depending on it a bit more than before.
“I‘m really delighted with it, it’s really providential”
Catherine Rogers
Primary carer
Star Rating
I’d give it a five-star rating, I’m really delighted with it, I’m not particularly tech savvy and I find it really easy to use. I love the zones and being able to see where she is on the map.
Living safely and independently at home for longer
Editorial on Isaactaken from the July/August issue of the Senior Times
We live in an age where most seniors don’t want to move into retirement or nursing homes. In fact, over 93 per cent of seniors say they want to age in the comfort of their own homes. This had led to a growing market in the technology supported care space. It is revolutionising the way people are cared for at home.
Most recently, one of Ireland’s leading home care companies, Myhomecare (a sister company of Servisource), introduced their latest service “Isaac Care” to the market. It focuses on using ambient assistive technology to empower people to live safely and independently at home for longer. Building on over 10 years’ experience in providing high quality homecare services, this unique solution has brought innovative telecare to the Irish market. The solution itself combines a family caring app with a range of assistive technology devices and support services, forming a complete independent living solution. The innovative solution is being rolled out to homes across Ireland, enabling people to effectively manage their own or their loved one’s health, from the comfort of their own home.
The game changer here is the solution is fully supported by MyHomecare. This means they can step in and provide in person care to service users if needed, for as long as needed, until they are back on their feet. This bridges the gap between technology and care, in order to provide a complete solution.
The Isaac Care team design bespoke packages tailored to the individual’s need. Their services include a 24/7 call centre, remote monitoring of vital signs, homecare services, and a first responder service. These services support their technology offering which include smart ambient motion sensors, a GPS enabled falls device called the “Isaac Pendant” and vital monitoring devices including blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, weighing scales and blood glucometers. One of its key strengths are all their devices are fully pre-configured and work straight out of the box with no need for an installation team. Their devices are built with simplicity in mind, so anybody, regardless of their technological capabilities can use them.
All information from their devices is transferred into their user-friendly family caring app, where information can be shared with circles of care. The Isaac Care app allows families to easily manage care through a simple messaging feature, calendar management, and allows each user to input their medical history, meaning all their important information is always on hand and stored in one secure place.
Get in Touch
Our dedicated team are on hand to assist you in any way. Contact us on (042) 936 8391 or fill in your details in the contact form and one of our team will be in touch.
