Provides 24/7 Security for Elderly; Peace of Mind for Caregivers

 

The Visiting Homemaker Service of Hudson County (VHS) is offering a new Medical Alert Service that provides elderly people at home with personal support at the touch of a button, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. VHS has teamed up with the Lifeline Systems, the leading Personal Response System provider, to offer the in-home service, which is especially useful for medical emergencies such as falls so frequent among the elderly.

 

VHS’ Lifeline Medical Alert Service includes a small monitor and a lightweight, waterproof button worn either around the neck or on the wrist. If a user requires assistance, they simply press the button to immediately connect with a highly trained personal response associate who has instant access to the caller’s medical and personal information, and will quickly link the caller to the care they need.

 

The service can be used for up to two people in a home and costs $42 a month, with no minimum monthly commitment. There is also a one-time activation fee.  Activation includes physical installation, set up, programming, system checks, instructions and a guidebook.

 

Medical Alert Services have been proven to reduce the risk of living alone and are a critical resource in the event of a fall. In fact, an estimated one out of three adults over age 65 and one out of two adults over 80 fall each year. And falls account for about one-half of the deaths due to injury in the elderly, according to the National Safety Council. 

 

“Keeping adults safe and independent at home is our mission,” said John Buck, executive director at VHS. “VHS’ Lifeline Medical Alert Service is one more resource in a suite of resources we’re offering to help us accomplish this mission. It offers security and safety to elderly adults. And, for family caregivers, the service provides peace of mind and reassurance knowing their loved one can easily access help 24 hours a day, if it’s needed,” Buck added.

 

VHS is the only homemaker service in Hudson County to enter into the partnership with 30-year-old Lifeline Systems. Today, Lifeline supports over 2,500 community partners and more than 650,000 subscribers from its Massachusetts operations. It handles over 20,000 calls from elderly adults each day in under 20 seconds each.

 

VHS is Hudson County’s most recognized and trusted home care provider, serving the area’s elderly population with the highest quality of care for more than 50 years. The non-profit agency has demonstrated its commitment to the community with accreditation under the standards of the National Home Caring Council through a subsidiary of the National Association for Home Care, and is licensed by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. 

 

VHS’ caring staff of Certified Home Health Aides, Home Care Aides, Registered Nurses and Social Workers — many with over 10 years of experience at VHS — provide a full spectrum of home care services to nurture emotional and physical health, and ultimately, help the elderly live more satisfying lives at home. For more information, call 201-656-9012.