Introduction
Seniors are a growing segment of the population in North America. With all the demographic changes happening in today’s society, it is imperative to know what seniors need when it comes to their safety and security.
A very important consideration is choosing a bed alarm for elderly patients who have sleep disorders such as insomnia or Alzheimer’s that can lead to wandering at night or other nocturnal activities that might put them at risk for injury. A bed alarm may be just the thing to help you ensure your loved one stays safe and sound while they sleep.
17 Tips On Choosing A Bed Alarm For Elderly Patients
1. Comfort
It is very important for your loved one to feel comfortable with the bed alarm you have chosen for them. This is really important because a comfy bed alarm can be great for their sleep habits. They may not be able to sleep without it. So take time to choose the most comfortable one from the many brands and styles available in the market today.
2. Battery Life
Some older people forget things these days, so you should check that they are able to remember to change the batteries of their bed alarm as needed. Most brands of these alarms have a dual function, which allows them to work on batteries or plugged directly into an AC outlet if they want to just plug it in and forget about batteries altogether.
3. Paging and Alarms
Studies have been done to evaluate the effectiveness of bed alarms for elderly patients. Some studies have shown that older people are not too responsive to their paging system, especially those with dementia. It is therefore important to choose the type of paging and alarm mechanisms that work the best for your old friends. This might include a combination of vibration, visual, and audio signals.
4. Privacy
Most bed alarms today have some kind of privacy feature that can be used in a variety of methods to essentially shut out unwanted intrusions from people in your loved one’s room when they are sleeping. These can be things like noisemakers, visual alarms, or a combination of both.
5. Cost
The cost of these bed alarms can vary depending on the size, style and functionality of the one you choose. Sometimes you may be able to find an older model that is in good condition and still working well for someone else at a discounted price.
6. Ease Of Use
Some seniors are not as tech-savvy as they were when they were younger. They might not have a cell phone with them at all times anymore, or use some sort of smartphone regularly to access information online. Make sure that the one you choose is easy for them to use.
7. Style
The style of a bed alarm is also very important to look at when making your choice. There are many unique and fashionable styles available that you can choose from, many of which are customizable with your loved one’s favorite colors and fabrics.
8. Durability
Make sure that the one you choose is made of sturdy materials that will last for a long time since most seniors move around less these days than they used to when they were younger. In addition, the overall durability of your chosen product should be something you think about. It will help avoid problems with it getting broken easily or worn out prematurely due to normal wear and tear from everyday use.
9. Convenience
Look at the features of your chosen bed alarm and make sure that you feel it is convenient enough to use. Consider things like easy to follow instructions, desired volume control, and ease of programming it for their daily needs.
10. Extra Features
The extras on your chosen bed alarm can be very important in some cases. You may want to consider extras such as a clip-on sensor or a remote control feature, which makes it really great for elderly people with visual or physical impairments so they do not have to get out of bed as much just to turn off the alarm.
11. Warranty
Most bed alarms today have a warranty of at least 1 year, but some may have longer warranties up to 3 or 4 years. This is really important because it will help you and your loved one protect yourselves from any unexpected problems that can arise with the alarm itself. In some cases, the warranty may even extend to the device’s components like its temperature sensor or circuitry, which can be very important in older people who may have weak immune systems and cannot afford to take chances with them.
12. Safety
As mentioned previously, many seniors are moving around less these days due to physical limitations and their declining mental health. As such, there should be a concern for safety related issues with choosing the right bed alarm for them.
13. Alerts
If your senior loved one has Alzheimer’s or dementia, then you will want to consider a bed alarm that is more sensitive about their waking up, as well as when they will be leaving the bed. This can be done by choosing an alert with more sensitivity than just a vibration or sound. There are many different types of alarms available today, so it is important to choose one that you feel should be sensitive enough for your loved one’s condition.
14. Comfort and Safety in Bed More Important Than Before
Seniors have less physical strength than they used to have back in the past, which can make them more susceptible to falls and other unexpected accidents at night.
15. Alarm Sensitivity
Make sure that the bed alarm is as sensitive as possible, to pick up all the sounds and alarms of an emergency situation in the midst of a senior’s night-time slumber.
16. Security
If you are expecting a problem with your loved one’s safety in the middle of the night, then a security feature on your chosen bed alarm can really be helpful in providing peace of mind and giving them some help if they are having issues with their memory or well-being.
17. Simulate Medical Alert Device
This can be very useful for those who might be in need of medical attention when they do not know what is happening to them.
Conclusion
Choosing the right bed alarm for your loved one can be very helpful in providing a sense of security and peace of mind at night. You may find that some of these benefits can even apply to you when you are trying to get through a tough night or get some much needed rest yourself. Make sure that you choose a model that will be as sensitive and responsive as possible while still providing all the important features at an affordable price. Taking this into consideration before making a purchase can work wonders for your overall satisfaction with the one you choose. As always, feel free to ask your friends, family members or medical professionals about their specific experiences and preferences regarding bed alarms for seniors.