As the elderly population skyrockets to more than 36 million this year, caring for them is becoming an ever more critical issue.
According to a survey(1) released by ADT Security Services, Inc., a unit of Tyco Fire & Security, 43 percent of baby boomers who care for an elderly relative say their top concern is that an accident or illness could leave their loved one without help for hours. To meet the growing needs of caregivers and their loved ones, ADT has launched QuietCare Plus(SM), a first-of-its-kind 24-hour monitoring service that utilizes motion sensors to unobtrusively check on a loved one’s safety and health.
With 10 million senior citizens living alone in the
« It’s clear that the financial and emotional strain on family caregivers is at times overwhelming, » said Mike Snyder, president of ADT Security Services, Inc. « ADT QuietCare Plus is a critical and cost-effective solution for caregivers who want peace of mind that their loved ones are well. At the same time, it will let these seniors age with dignity in their own homes. »
Snyder said for many caregivers, the most critical issue is the constant concern that the elderly person may become sick or injured. Each year, 35 to 40 percent of adults 65 years and older fall at least once. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, chances of surviving a fall, heart attack or stroke are six times greater if the senior gets help within an hour. Beyond the risk of injury, many seniors with conditions like heart problems, osteoporosis, respiratory illness, diabetes and arthritis need to be able to quickly summon emergency medical assistance should complications occur.
The ADT study found that as a result, many adult children wrestle with the decision to put their elderly loved ones in assisted care or nursing homes. Sixty-two percent of those surveyed said their parents’ desire to remain independent was one of the most important factors in considering a nursing home. Additionally, 49 percent said their parents’ wish to remain at home was an important factor in their decision.
ADT QuietCare Plus offers a unique solution that can help seniors live in their own homes longer. The system uses small wireless motion detectors placed in strategic locations throughout the home such as the master bath, bedroom, kitchen and medication area. Each sensor transmits information 24 hours a day, seven days a week, about the senior’s daily living activities. The information is transmitted to a book-sized base station located inside the home and then relayed to ADT’s customer monitoring center. ADT professionals, who receive rigorous training in the areas of senior sensitivity and medical emergencies, continuously monitor the system and can call the appropriate authorities in the event of an emergency.
QuietCare Plus is unique because it can recognize problems before they become more serious. When the system is first installed, QuietCare Plus sets a baseline for the elderly person’s activity levels within the first week. After that baseline is set, changes in the senior’s habits and activities are analyzed so ADT can alert caregivers by telephone, cell phone text messages as well as an e-mail about any problems or changes in activity level. For example, should a senior not get out of bed at their regular time, ADT will attempt to contact them and also notify the caregiver. In addition, caregivers can do a virtual « check in » on their loved one by reviewing a password-protected Web site that informs them what time their parent got up, took his or her medication or prepared meals.
The system also includes two personal help buttons that are waterproof, durable and easy to use and are offered as a stationary button, a wristband or an emergency necklace pendant. This personal help button or medallion can be worn, allowing the senior to quickly speak to a specially trained ADT operator via a two-way voice intercom should they fall or need help.
« ADT QuietCare Plus offers a unique mix of this new technology to measure a senior’s at-home activity level and the more familiar technology of the medical alert pendant. Combined, this solution is ideal for adult children and other caregivers who could use an extra set of eyes and ears to care for their elderly loved ones, » said Scott Gurley, group director of elder services for ADT Security Services. « It’s especially helpful for people who may not live near their older parents, but still want to help shoulder some of the responsibility of caring for them. »
The installation fee for QuietCare Plus is $299 and $89.95 per month monitoring fee.
« This adds up to a little more than $3 a day, which is very cost effective when compared with the cost of a visiting nurse, which can run as high as $18 per hour or a nursing home, which can cost an average of $57,000 per year, or $156 per day in the
ADT QuietCare Plus can be purchased by logging on to http://www.adt.com or by calling 1-877-238-3880.
(1) Survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation among 259 Americans aged 40 – 64 responsible for caring for elderly parents or loved ones, December 9 – 20, 2004. The margin of error is plus or minus six percentage points.
About ADT
Celebrating its 130th anniversary, ADT Security Services, Inc., a business unit of Tyco Fire & Security, is the largest provider of electronic security services to nearly six million commercial, government and residential customers throughout
ADT’s Web site address is http://www.adt.com
Tyco Fire & Security, one of the major businesses of Tyco International Ltd. (NYSE: TYC, BSX: TYC), designs, manufactures, installs and services electronic security systems, fire protection, detection and suppression systems, sprinklers and fire extinguishers. Tyco Fire & Security includes more than 60 brands, which are represented in over 100 countries. Its products are used to safeguard firefighters, prevent and fight fires, deter thieves and protect people and property.
Source: ADT Security Services, Inc.