Health Watch At Senior Center

By Nancy K. Crevier

Suzanne Kurtoglu, Health Watch coordinator for the Bethel VNA, was at the Newtown Senior Center Wednesday afternoon, November 21, to discuss the merits of the subscriber-based emergency contact system. “Health Watch provides the subscriber with the ability to call for help 24/7 with the push of a button,” said Ms Kurtoglu.

The small, waterproof button is worn as a pendant while in the home. “It is not a tracking device, so it works only within the confines of the home,” Ms Kurtoglu explained.

The compact receiver is connected into the subscriber’s telephone line, and when the button is pressed for assistance, all calls go to one response center in Boca Raton, Fla. They in turn notify the local responder designated by the subscriber or the local emergency center.

“The responder can be a family member or friend who lives nearby,” said Ms Kurtoglu. “That person should have a key to your house or you should keep a key in a safe, outdoor location that Health Watch will enter into your secure personal information. It’s really a good idea to have that extra key outdoor, anyway, in case your responder is not available,” Ms Kurtoglu recommended.

There are many emergency contact systems available, she said, all of them relatively inexpensive, but the Bethel VNA supports Health Watch for two reasons: one, that the unit self-tests every single day and two, that there is always a local contact person available to help with ordering, installation, and any problems that may crop up.

With an emergency contact system in place, people can stay at home longer and more safely, she said, allowing a sense of independence that can be missing from the lives of older people. “It also alleviates worries for the family,” Ms Kurtoglu said.