Our Emergency Response Systems can help address a number of home health, safety and well-being concerns. Select an article to read from the menu to the left.

HIP FRACTURES AND MEDICAL ALERT / PERSONAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEMS

From the Boston Globe - December 13, 2006 “Each year, approximately 300,000 Americans over 64 break their hips - three-quarters of them are women. They are two to five times more likely to die within a year than seniors of the same age without a break. And with baby boomers by the millions heading for these fragile years, the number of fractures could double by 2040.

Even among the healthiest of elders, almost a quarter of those who suffer hip fractures die within a year. And the combination of a fracture with chronic disease leads to death in up to 75 percent of cases, the Globe study found.

Decades ago, traction - using tension to hold the broken bone in place - was the preferred treatment in older people. But too many older patients died from complications caused by weeks or months of immobilization.

Now, surgeons try to operate within 24 to 48 hours of the break. Quick surgery allows patients to get back on their feet sooner and helps reduce the likelihood of blood clots, pneumonia, and bedsores, and may reduce the risk of death.”

Falls, and the need for immediate help after a fall, are two of the most critical safety issues facing seniors today. The best way to get help in the event of a fall is by using a personal emergency response system.

New England Emergency Response Systems is in the business of keeping people safe while they are living at home. The service we provide is an affordable solution, providing confidence and peace of mind for loved ones. Call us at 1-800-888-0338 for more information or to order service.

Broken hips are in large part due to a fall. Some common risk factors for falling include:

• Poor balance caused by diminished muscle tone
• Side effects from medications
• Poor vision
• Loss of hearing