According to Health Direct, an Australian government health advisory service, nearly 1 in 3 older Australians experienced a fall in the past 12 months and 1 in 5 of these required hospitalisation. Statistics like these can be unnerving for families who are in lockdown or unable to travel as often as they would like to in normal circumstances.
While we may not be able to see our loved ones in person due to local restrictions, there are ways to make sure they are okay and staying connected during the pandemic.
Schedule regular check in times
Set a time and day with your family members to give them a call or, when it is safe to do so, visit them. Putting a regular check-in time in your diary means you are less likely to put it off for another day or forget altogether. A scheduled call will also give your loved ones something to look forward to.
With more Australians staying home, either by choice or due to a forced lockdown, not having visitors or being able to attend usual social activities can be particularly distressing for those who rely on human interaction. Setting up video calls is a great way to stay connected to people on a more personal level.
Writing letters is another way for people to communicate with loved ones, and a great activity for children to get involved with, sharing loving messages and drawings. Receiving a surprise letter in the mail is also guaranteed to put a smile on their face.
Have an emergency contact list
An emergency contact list is essential. Make sure your loved ones have a copy on hand and it is easily accessible so they can quickly make a call if something happens. While we can’t be with our loved ones every day, we can make sure we’re only a phone call away when they need us. They should also know whom to call to get help in an emergency, when family is not contactable. Make sure that they have all your numbers stored in their mobile phone, including work phone numbers and those for alternative contacts, in case they can’t get through on your regular line.
The contact list should also include details of local emergency services, their doctor, nearest hospital, close friends and trusted neighbours. Depending on their situation, it may also be useful to include phone numbers for reliable tradespeople, such as a plumber or electrician.
Arrange home support
Having additional support at home can be a great way to help your loved ones. Cleaners and carers can provide valuable assistance by helping around the house, with shopping, and managing a medical condition. Home support can take some of the pressure off for those struggling to keep up with their daily needs and also provides that necessary personal interaction for mental wellbeing.
Embrace new technology
The pandemic has highlighted the need for greater personal safety and wellbeing, and using technology can help keep your family members safe, secure and connected. ADT Wi-Fi Cameras are not just for catching intruders in the act, they can also be used to check in on your loved ones at home using your smartphone, tablet or computer. They are ideally positioned at stairs, steps or other high-risk areas around the home to monitor for falls or medical incidents that might require a response. To protect your privacy and safety, the ADT Wi-Fi Cameras are not monitored by ADT Security, only users can access and view footage from these cameras.
ADT Home Assure wellness solution is another advanced solution from ADT Security that uses intuitive, real-time technology through a mobile enabled app and personal wearable devices to help loved ones stay constantly connected. The personal alarm can be triggered at the touch of a button wherever they are in the home and will either notify a close contact or ADT Security’s 24-hour monitoring centre, which can escalate a response quickly in the event of an emergency. You can provide your older family members who live independently with confidence that around-the-clock assistance is there when it’s needed most.
For further advice and solutions to help keep your loved ones safe and secure, call us on 13 12 38.
