US: An aging country
Aging is becoming one of the problems plaguing this country. Already, the middle-aged outnumber children, but the country will reach a new milestone in 2034. The U.S. Census Bureau projects estimates that older adults will edge out children in population size in that year: People age 65+ are expected to number 77.0 million, while children age 18- will number 76.5 million.
( https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2018/03/graying-america.html )
The United States has always prided itself on its culture of independence, but the question remains: Does this independence of letting the elderly live independently really come at no cost?
According to a calculation conducted by Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis, in 2020, about 20 million Americans ages 55 and up needed assistance with daily tasks essential to living independently, from preparing meals to using the toilet. But almost 40% of those people — more than 8 million Americans -- receive no help at all. Those who can’t get the help they need are at much greater risk of injury, disability, and death.
( https://www.economicpolicyresearch.org/resource-library/research/u-s-caregiving-system-leaves-significant-unmet-needs-among-aging-adults )
Loneliness is a fertilizer for diseases and insecurity
Scientific research has already made it clear that living alone has been linked to various poor health outcomes, including depression, cardiovascular disease, dementia, poor biological health, and premature mortality.
If chronic illnesses can be prevented through systematic medical testing and treatment, emergencies can be even more difficult to cope with. These emergencies include:
#1: Fall and Accident Risk: Aging adults often find that they’ve lost some flexibility, which creates high risks of falling, according to the National Institute on Aging. It is difficult for elderly people to get up on their own when they fall, and even more difficult for them to call out for help.
#2: Heart Attacks: Adults aged 65 and older are more likely than younger people to notice heart attack symptoms due to the weakness of the heart muscles. Medical treatment for myocardial infarction is very time-sensitive and the patient must receive immediate emergency care.
#3: Get lost: A report from Monash University claims that older people (especially over 65) are more vulnerable to becoming lost. Age-related declines in physical and cognitive function impact our ability to navigate and endure the environment and seek assistance. Frailty and increased risk of disease as we age mean the risk of sustaining an injury, possibly a fatal injury, increases for older people.
Using Technology to Help Your Parents Age Safely
Not all elderly people living alone are proficient in using smartphones or seeking help when an emergency happens. A more practical way to help relieve you of worry is to use advanced technology to help you monitor the emergencies of your parents.
Switzerland-based company CERRET ( https://cerret.com ) is redefining personal safety with its innovative safety bracelet, which is elegantly designed to double as a stylish piece of jewelry. This lightweight bracelet could serve as a critical safety tool: Instead of having to specifically remind themselves to keep their smartphones on at all times (which can be very difficult for seniors with Alzheimer's), seniors can simply wear this bracelet on their wrist.
In any emergency, the elderly can press the emergency button on the bracelet. This action triggers an immediate alert to designated emergency contacts, notifying their children or guardians of the situation with a text message that includes the wearer’s real-time location. This location is continuously shared for up to 48 hours, ensuring that help is on its way and the wearer can be located and assisted promptly by family members.
