You can still be near when your not close

Worrying about a lot of cameras catching someone in the house and thinking it may affect their privacy is a misplaced thought. The common areas that are usually tagged are hallways and open areas and these are for everyone's use. These are the high traffic areas. Going outside without protection can be even worse. These times are the times when we hear the tragic events of someone falling out of site and being down for hours. I know when I check in and the phones not being answered and I can't get in touch, I can usually see someone working out in the yard or having a conversation with a neighbor. Just because I don’t get a reply from every call does not mean that the worst has happened and being able to view someone from afar makes me feel better when I'm not there.

I've always been close to my parents even when I lived far away. So, helping them make it through their twilight years is a big concern of mine. When I hear story after story of someone falling in the yard where no one saw them it moves me. And the longer they are down and out of sight the worse it can be. In the worst-case scenario, a life alert is the best defense for protection. But in this day and age there are still people not using it for one reason or another.

There are ways to protect without being intrusive. The life alert is one of them. A camera is also another alternative for around the house. Many elders do not seem to understand when the time is to be wearing the "Life Alert" medallion and getting the extra protection needed to add to an independent lifestyle. My parents have tried the life alert medallion for a week or two only to complain that it makes them feel old and it doesn’t look quite stylish enough. They feel it brings back the stigma that their getting older and need help. But it's true! If you need it, wear it, and wear it proudly.

It seems to be a reoccurring theme with older people that the stigma of age is a problem that shows your age. There seems to be a transition phase on acceptance as when it's time to give up the keys and let someone else do the driving. It’s a sign of independence slipping away. But these products are not for taking away the independence but for giving more independence to our elders. These are just a few of the ways we want to help when we are not available and want to stay close.

I do think that the life alert app is a great invention that I wish more of our seniors would wear. With life alert, even when we are far from someone is always near. Our elders need our support in keeping them safe when the normal activities of the day can get to be too much. Putting cameras inside or out can keep our loved ones in full view and as far out of harms ways as we can depending on the situation.

Worrying about a lot of cameras catching someone in the house and thinking it may affect their privacy is a misplaced thought. The common areas that are usually tagged are hallways and open areas and these are for everyone's use. These are the high traffic areas. Going outside without protection can be even worse. These times are the times when we hear the tragic events of someone falling out of site and being down for hours. I know when I check in and the phones not being answered and I can't get in touch, I can usually see someone working out in the yard or having a conversation with a neighbor. Just because I don’t get a reply from every call does not mean that the worst has happened and being able to view someone from afar makes me feel better when I'm not there.