| The U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services estimates that almost 75 percent
of the elderly (age 65 and over) have at least one chronic
illness and 50 percent have at least two chronic illnesses.
Chronic conditions can lead to severe and immediate disabilities, such as
hip fractures and stroke, as well as progressive disability
that slowly erodes the ability of elderly people to care for
themselves.
A Personal Emergency
Response System (PERS) is a device designed to summon help
in an emergency. If you are disabled or an elderly person
living alone, you may be thinking about buying a PERS, also
sometimes called a medical emergency response system.
You may also be thinking about getting a medical alarm for
an elderly parent that lives alone. What if they should fall
and can't get up or have a heart attack and can't reach the
phone? An emergency response system may be what you need. It
can eliminate the fear that they may fall and not be able to
call for help. With the push of a button, help is available
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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