Senior Resources Housing Directory 2019

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E MERGENCY I N -H OME P ENDANTS D O S AvE L IvES neck or on a wrist band. That sends a radio signal to the console at the telephone, which then automatically dials the phone. The remote dialer can be programmed to call any number the user specifies. Most people choose to have the unit dial a remote moni- toring center, which will then determine the nature of the emergency and contact the appropriate responder (fami- ly or neighbor or emergency responders). If the PERS wearer does not respond to the monitoring center, or if the monitoring center can't determine the exact nature of the emer- gency, they will most typical- ly contact emergency respon- ders and stay on the line until help arrives. Before you commit to using a particular emergency response system, you will want answers to the follow- ing questions: 1. Is monitoring available

around the clock, 365 days a year? 2. What training do response center employees receive? 3. How does the monitoring center test that the unit is working properly? 4. Can you keep and use the same system if your elder moves? 5. How easy is the unit to set up? What are the most common reasons for "mal- functions?" 6. Can you test the unit in your elder's home to be sure it works from every point in the home before you commit to renting, leasing or purchasing? What is the return policy? Help keep yourself or your loved one safe in their home. Don’t wait for a crisis to hap- pen—be proactive to help pre- vent such a situation. PERS units can cost as little as just over $1 per day so take some time and help protect the ones you love. This article was submitted by William Horstmeyer, founding owner of Secure At Home, a local company based in Brookfield. Call for a free, no cost, no obligation demonstration of how Secure At Home can provide you with peace- of-mind. You may reach us at (414) 378-1938 or www.secureathomellc.com

ave you always said that a Personal Emergency Response Unit (PERS) isn’t for you? Do you tell your children that you won’t fall or do you try explaining that wearing that necklace just isn’t for you? Think again! each year, one in every three adults age 65 and older falls. Among those, falls are the leading cause of injury death. And for every hour a senior lies on the floor they will mostly likely have to remain in rehabilitation for one week. By having a PERS unit in your home you are greatly decreas- ing your odds of injury death. These emergency systems are not for everyone. A senior who will benefit from a PERS unit must be able to understand what the unit is for, what con- stitutes an emergency, and be able to remember what to do with the "HELP" button in an emergency. There are three components to a personal emergency response system: A small transmitter (the "HELP" button), a commu- nications console connected to the user's telephone, and a remote monitoring center. When the person using the system needs help, he or she presses the "HELP" button, typically worn around the

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