Beryl is 91 and lives independently in the Dandenong Ranges.
While she has only had her MePACS home and mobile unit for a year, she already has the peace of mind that comes with knowing help is only one press of a button away.
“It gives me and my family a nice, peaceful feeling. My family don’t live very close to me and it is that extra security that when I go out, if I am injured somehow, then I can get the help that I need.”
Falls are the most common cause of injury for people over 65. Unfortunately, Beryl fell one day in her own backyard.
“One day I did slip in the garden. I fell against a bush and it pushed me off onto the path. I knew I was okay, but as it was a slope, it was hard to get back up. I pushed myself along the path on my elbows until I could get to the fence and that helped me to stand up,” she said.
I’m glad I didn’t break anything, but I have my MePACS alarm just in case I should fall again and can’t get up.”
On her own, Beryl enjoys the safety net that MePACS provides, especially when she can’t contact her neighbours for help.
“I live by myself on a big block of land. I can’t shout to my neighbours because they are too far away. But the MePACS response team can contact them on my behalf and it’s good to have that security.
I recommend MePACS to my neighbours who live in this area, so they can be reassured that if they fall, and press their alarm, someone will answer in two minutes and be able to help them.”
The 24/7 MePACS response team are here to help at all hours of the day and night. With their prompt and reliable service, Beryl is reassured that her safety is a priority.
“You have to ask, what if the neighbours are not home, or you cannot call anyone on the phone? With my MePACS alarm, I just press the button once,” Beryl said.
“It’s all very efficient and secure. The response team are very kind and patient, and never mind if I press it accidentally.”
Beryl also wears her mobile alarm every day, particularly when she goes out and volunteers at the Emerald Museum twice a week.
“I go to church and the U3A, and of course the Emerald Museum,” she said.
“I talk to visitors and tell them stories about the local area, the Nobelius Heritage Park and especially about the early settlers in Emerald, who grew fruit plantations in the late 1800s. Sometimes I have people who are interested in the history of their property, and we go delving into the records to see what we can find about it.”
Beryl isn’t the only one who loves the MePACS service – her family and friends know that they can rely on the quick actions of the response team should she ever need help.
“My family and friends are very pleased. One of my daughters is a geriatric nurse in a hospital and she keeps a very watchful eye over me and what I do. She thinks MePACS is a great service for seniors and likes that I can live on my own and still feel safe.
It’s a good feeling to know the help is there when I need it.”