A Lifeline For Senior Citizens

By Nancy K. Crevier

Members of the Newtown Senior Center attended a special brunch presentation on preventing falls, Thursday, March 22, at the Riverside Road facility. Sharon Massafra, owner of the Sandy Hook Home Instead Senior Care franchise affiliated with Philips Lifeline, spoke to the group.

“Sixty percent of the falls that happen to seniors happen in the home,” said Ms Massafra, for a number of reasons, and many can be prevented through simple measures taken to make the surroundings safe and by being aware of health and medication issues that can lead to poor balance — and falls.

Rise slowly and be sure of footing before stepping forward from the sitting position, she said. Be conscious of how medications affect balance and clarity.

Health problems like diabetes can make feet insensitive, Ms Massafra said as an example, so a person might misstep or misjudge the terrain when walking. This can lead to a fall.

“I would never tell anyone not to have a pet, but pets are a big reason that senior citizens fall,” Ms Massafra cautioned. Pet owners must always know where their cat or dog is in the room as they move about, and be careful not to let leashes get wrapped around the ankles when out walking.

Throw rugs, which can bunch up or slide, are another common cause of falls in the home, she said.

In demonstrating some of the reasons falls occur, such as tripping over a pet, low blood pressure from rising too quickly, or fainting, Ms Massafra also demonstrated the benefit of subscribing to the Lifeline program.

The Philips Lifeline is a medical alert service that provides help every hour of every day. The help button is worn by the subscriber as a necklace or as a wristwatch or band. A push of the button connects the customer to the 24/7 response center. The response associate then assesses the situation upon speaking with the customer and sends appropriate help, or a specified friend or family member.

Particularly beneficial, Ms Massafra said, is the new option of Lifeline with AutoAlert. The pendant-style button is triggered by gravity and automatically places a help call if a fall is detected. In instances where the subscriber is unconscious or unable for any reason to push the help button, this option can get critical assistance on site in a timely manner.

A compact cordless phone communicator installed in the home provides the connection to Lifeline, provides protection out approximately 300 feet from the unit, Ms Massafra said. Philips Lifeline is currently working to provide a service connected to mobile phones and GPS, she said, that will offer protection beyond the home and in the yard.

Ms Massafra also assured the audience that dropping the Lifeline AutoAlert pendant was not a problem, and would merely result in a quick check up call by the response associate to ascertain that all is well. And, she said, the button is waterproof.

Because there is an installation fee and a monthly charge for the service, Ms Massafra said that many families purchase the program for a senior relative as a birthday or holiday gift. “It brings peace of mind to everyone,” she said.

Home Instead Senior Care offers the Lifeline service. For more information, call 800-372-4103.