Living with any kind of vision impairment, especially blindness, can make it challenging to live independently. Those who do live independently may worry about their safety and what they’ll do if they suffer an injury or medical emergency while alone. Assistive technology, including medical alert systems, can provide a safety net for many of the concerns people who are blind or vision impaired may have. Living with any kind of vision impairment, especially blindness, can make it challenging to live independently. Those who do live independently may worry about their safety and what they’ll do if they suffer an injury or medical emergency while alone. Assistive technology, including medical alert systems, can provide a safety net for many of the concerns people who are blind or vision impaired may have. It should also be recognized that assistive technology is built into smart phones for blind and visually impaired individuals. There are many smart phone APPs accessible to the blind or low vision community that contain many of the features described below.
Medical Alert Systems Are Not Just for Medical Emergencies
Medical alert systems were originally intended solely for use by seniors in need of medical attention, but their functionality has greatly increased in the decades since their debut. Now, in addition to connecting users with emergency personnel, the devices can be used as a simple way to get in touch with a caregiver, friend, or family member.
The wearable devices feature a personal help button, which when pressed will connect users with a monitoring center operator who will then pass their call along to their preferred contacts. Or, some devices can be programmed to connect straight to a caregiver or family members’ phone. This allows people who are blind to use the devices if they are in a difficult situation and just need some help, and not necessarily just for emergencies.
Portable Devices Feature GPS Location Tracking
People who are vision-impaired may feel stressed about what will happen if they become lost while traveling or out running errands independently. Portable medical alert devices, which are offered by all top medical alert companies, can provide some peace of mind for those with vision impairments who enjoy venturing out on their own.
Almost all portable medical alert devices are equipped with GPS location tracking. If the user ever becomes lost, they can press the personal help button to connect with an operator or their preferred contact, who will be able to pinpoint their exact location. This makes the devices a great way for someone to let a friend or family member know that they need some assistance getting home, and eliminates the fear that they will not be able to communicate their location in order to get help.
Automatic Fall Detection Can be Lifesaving
Falling is always a risk for people who are blind- those with vision impairment are twice as likely to experience multiple falls as someone with normal vision. Compounding the fear of falling for most is anxiety over how one will get help if a serious fall occurs and they are unable to get up.
While medical alert systems cannot prevent falls, they increase the likelihood that the user will be able to get the help they need after falling, reducing the risk of serious injury. Most devices on the market today come with the option of automatic fall detection, which uses motion-sensing technology to recognize if a fall has occurred. If a fall is detected, the device will automatically call the operating center or the user’s caregiver, eliminating the need for the user to even press the button. This technology can be lifesaving after a serious fall when the user is incapacitated.
Modern Systems Are Water-Resistant
Unlike many other tech products, medical alert systems are typically water-resistant or even waterproof. That means users are protected even if the fall in water or a wet area and can wear their devices in high-risk areas like the shower.
Smartwatch-Style Devices Can be Used for Easy Communication
Some modern medical alert systems are available as smartwatch-style devices, which have a plethora of features beyond emergency support. One appealing feature for people who are blind is voice-to-text SMS messaging. Using their medical alert smartwatch, people can send text messages to friends and family without needing to type, making it easy to stay connected. These smartwatch-style medical alert systems serve a dual purpose of an emergency alert system and communication device.
Comprehensive Packages Provide Extra Protection in the Home
Some medical alert companies offer integrated medical alert packages, which include accessories like fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide detectors. These safety packages are particularly useful for people with disabilities like vision impairment, who may have more difficulty escaping a fire, according to FEMA. The combined packages help ensure that users will be alerted of fire or smoke risk early and offer well-rounded protection for all types of emergencies.
(Article courtesy of Caring.com)
