When Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1875, he saw it as a means to bridge distance between people. Phones revolutionized the world as we know it, but over time the novelty wore off. Nowadays calling someone up is a mundane task, many people fail to spend time connecting with their family members. Seniors in particular suffer from being alone, even though – in the world of advanced telecommunication – they could reach anyone. The sad truth is that there are numerous free helpline services catering to aging adults, yet the target demographic is unaware of their existence. Knowing that help and compassion is available at the push of a button could mean the world of difference for an elderly person.
Living an independent life during the golden years is only possible if one is capable of maintaining a healthy body and mind. However, seniors often find themselves lost and confused by medicine descriptions and varied healthcare services. Luckily there are certain associations, like Alzeimer.org, that provide a helpline for patients suffering from specific illnesses. In this case, the operators are ready to answer any question someone might have regarding Alzheimer’s, from the nature of memory loss to recommended medication, or even legal and financial arrangements. Calling such a helpline is beneficial for both the elderly person and their family members. On the downside, patients with more generic health problems may not find the necessary counsel when calling condition-specific hotlines.
When a water pipe breaks in your home or the house desperately needs some dusting, millennials just pick up their phone to google a five-star handyman or cleaning service. Seniors, on the other hand, aren’t quite as taken with such technological advancements, typically sticking to their familiar landline phone. But companies are spending less and less on traditional pamphlet-style advertising, leaving aging homeowners in the dark when it comes to contacting up-to-date caregiving services or arranging a repair. For them, we recommend the universal number of the Area Agency on Aging. The operators accept calls 24/7 on any matter of concern, like legal issues to arranging transportation.
As we’ve previously reported, the number of suicide attempts for seniors is alarmingly high. Being lonely, ill or isolated can push the elderly towards depression, painting an image in their head that life is meaningless and there is no hope. But the truth is that a little bit of care can go a long way; having someone to talk to chases away the clouds of negativity and gives an aging person a reason to carry on. This is exactly what the toll-free friendship line of the Institute of Aging represents. The operators not only offer competent resolutions for people above 60, but they can also offer a shoulder to cry on. On top of all that, operators may even reach out to certain seniors from time to time. A similar service is provided by the Family Caregiver Alliance, who aims to support aging adults that are victims of abuse, neglect or exploitation via their discreet hotline.
Having dedicated helplines to inform the elderly about their possibilities is commendable, but the problem with the system is quite evident. Each hotline is dedicated to only one specific field of potential problems, leaving seniors with a long list of contacts they might need. Additionally, none of them offer equally well-rounded support for every situation. In contrary to this, the monitoring service provided by top-tier medical alert companies delivers far superior support. At the push of their medical alert pendant’s button, the wearer gets to talk to the monitoring agents who are well-versed in all kinds of medical conditions and capable of assessing the situation over the phone. They have the elderly patient’s medical history and personal details on file, therefore the conversation is much more personal. Some medical alert providers even support the idea of calling their agents just for a friendly chat. As the cherry on top, contacting the monitoring station doesn’t require dialing, since pushing the help button instantly contacts the agents.
Best Reviews may receive compensation for its content through paid collaborations and/or affiliate links. Learn more about how we sustain our work and review products.
©2012-2024 Best Reviews, a clovio brand –
All rights
reserved
Privacy
policy
·
Cookie
policy
·
Terms
of use
·
Partnerships
· Contact
us