Winter Health Bigger For Seniors Than Burglaries

Winter Health Security Bigger Issue For Seniors Than Burglaries

Personal response alarms give more protection at home in event of falls and other accidents.

AUCKLAND, 24 May – The chill and damp of the winter months can be difficult to handle for most, but for our senior citizens, this time of year can prove especially dangerous. The elderly are five times more likely to suffer a fall in and around the home during winter than at any other time of the year, and such falls are the single biggest cause of accidental death*. During winter ambulance call-outs more than triple, mainly to attend to injured elderly*.

ADT’s General Manager Ken Pascoe says there are ways of significantly reducing some of the fears that winter holds for the elderly, particularly those living with disabilities or illnesses.

“We know that the elderly are very conscious of home security, including break-ins and burglaries, but the fact is they are ten times more likely to suffer a fall than a burglary.”

Mr Pascoe says as we enter the coolest part of the year, it is timely for the aged and their families to consider ways of increasing peace of mind, including the option of a personal response alarm as a practical way of reducing the risk of injury.

“Personal response alarms represent the latest technology in remote health management, with easy activation via a wrist bracelet and dedicated 24-hour monitoring from an advanced call centre. With such devices the elderly can maintain independence within their own homes, absolutely confident of their personal security in the event of a fall.”

Personal response alarms like ADT’s NevaAlone are one way for individuals to take more responsibility for their own wellbeing, providing peace of mind for themselves and their families, and knowing they can get immediate assistance if an accident occurs.

“We also know that one in three New Zealanders over 65 will fall over in any given year, and half of all people who fall over will require help to get up. In the cold of a New Zealand winter this situation can become very serious*.

“Sixty percent of over-75’s live by themselves, and this trend is set to continue as New Zealand’s demographic gets older, so families of the elderly need reassurance that their loved ones can get immediate assistance if need be.”

Mr Pascoe says personal response alarms like ADT’s NevaAlone also mean that elderly people will have the ability to look after their own wellness.

“Allowing the elderly to remain at home where their children and family know they are safe is a much better alternative than admitting them to hospitals and care facilities.”

ENDS

* Source: ADT NevaAlone Medical Alarm Report, 2005.

About ADT

With over a century’s worth of experience and providing electronic security solutions to over 8 million residential, commercial and retail customers worldwide, ADT, part of Tyco Fire & Security, is the world’s largest security company. ADT's products including alarm systems and integrated security applications that link access control, CCTV, electronic article surveillance and source tagging systems.

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