Throughout the United States there are seniors either living alone or with just a spouse or partner. In other countries, this sort of arrangement is far less common. Perhaps our tendency to remain independent and non-communal is part of the American spirit. Regardless of the root causes, the U.S. is the perfect market for senior alert systems.
What is a senior alert system? It is a home security system with enhanced features designed to assist seniors. Its precursor was the medical alert system that we all came to know and love by way of its memorable commercials several decades ago. Today’s senior alert systems take the original medical alert concept and expand it to a whole-home security model.
More Than Any Other Place in the World
It is no surprise that senior alert systems are popular in the U.S., given that our seniors remain independent more than any other place in the world. Pew research published in 2020 reveals senior living preferences based on census data:
- 6% live with extended family
- 46% live with a spouse or partner
- 27% live solo
- 15% live with an adult child
The numbers are similar throughout all North America. But when you look elsewhere, things are drastically different. Worldwide, 38% of senior adults live with extended family. The number jumps to 50% in the Asia-Pacific region. It is 41% in Latin America and the Caribbean.
We Americans just tend to relish our independence more than other cultures. It is built into our cultural DNA. That being the case, we also tend to look for ways to stay independent for as long as possible. Independence is one of the motivations behind the senior alert system.
Help for Any Type of Emergency
Vivint is a nationwide leader in home security and automation. They explain that a good senior alert system provides additional help for any type of emergency. Let us think about medical emergencies. After all, the medical alert system started it all.
Vivint’s system for seniors comes with a pendant the customer wears around their neck. The pendant connects wirelessly to the system’s central hub. If the customer experiences any kind of emergency, pushing a button on the pendant immediately alerts monitoring personnel at a remote monitoring center.
The monitoring rep and customer can talk via the system’s two-way audio. If the customer needs outside assistance, the rep can contact the appropriate agencies or family members.
What a System Typically Includes
Today’s seniors can still opt for medical-only systems. In such a case, they would be getting just a hub along with a pendant for every occupant in need of one. But medical alert systems are quickly being replaced by whole-home security systems. A whole-home system designed around seniors would include things like:
- The medical pendant
- A hub with one-touch emergency activation
- A variety of security sensors
- A selection of safety alarms
- At least one indoor camera
No doubt the security aspects of the system would be limited in terms of volume. But a customer could always add more cameras and security sensors. Even adding home automation features is not out of the question.
Maintaining Our Independence
A senior alert system is really about independence. And in a culture that values independence, an electronic system allowing seniors to stay in their homes longer makes a lot of sense. We all want to maintain our independence to some degree. If a senior alert system with medical and security features makes it possible, it seems like a wise investment. So I’m not surprised the technology is popular in this country.
