In Australia, government funding provides home care packages to assist seniors with household chores and medical needs. The home care package, or HCP, covers many useful services such as personal care, social activities, transport, medication management, basic home maintenance and personal safety.
Seniors who are prone to falls or have underlying health conditions, can include in their HCP funding a safety alarm watch, like the MePACS Solo watch. The Solo watch is connected to the MePACS 24/7 emergency response centre and can provide crucial help in an emergency. With just a tap on the watch, you can quickly call for help wherever you are in Australia.
As a leading provider of monitored safety alarm in Australia, we’ve put together some helpful information on what for seniors and their families should look out for in a personal alarm watch.
What is a safety alarm watch?
A safety alarm watch, also known as a medical alarm watch, emergency call button or a personal response system, is used to call for help in the event of a medical emergency or fall.
The MePACS Solo watch is a smart personal alarm that is seamlessly integrated on the Samsung Galaxy Watch. With 4G technology it works almost anywhere in Australia and includes features such as falls detection, GPS, 2-way voice communication with MePACS and useful health apps.
How does a safety alarm watch work?
The Solo watch uses 4G technology and has a built-in SIM card. This means it can connect to the mobile phone network wherever there’s coverage, so it doesn’t need to be paired with a mobile phone.
Calling for help on the watch is very easy. All you have to do is tap an icon on the watch or click a button. The watch will then connect to the emergency response centre who will talk to you through the watch and get you the help you need.
What are the benefits of a safety alarm watch?
According to our clients, one of the key benefits of the Solo watch is that it is stylish and discreet. Because it doesn’t look like a personal alarm, our clients feel comfortable wearing it wherever they go. The Solo watch is water resistant so you can even wear in the shower or at the pool.
Just as important however, are the smart technological features of the alarm watch, such as multiple falls detection sensors and advanced GPS that helps to find your location in the case of an emergency.
Many of our clients also love the health wellbeing apps, such as a heart monitor, steps and activity tracker and more. The apps can help you achieve your activity and fitness goals and the watch can even remind you to move around if you’ve been sitting down for too long.
Who is a safety alarm watch ideal for?
A safety alarm watch is ideal for people who are active in the community and looking for a reliable personal safety solution that works both at home and on-the-go.
The Solo watch is a smart device that uses a touchscreen interface, so you will need to be comfortable with using such technology and have reasonable dexterity and vision to be able to raise an alert in an emergency.
The Solo watch does require a strong mobile network reception, so if you live further than 1km from a Telstra mobile tower we recommend getting a watch and home alarm bundle.
How to include a safety alarm watch in your Home Care Package?
A safety alarm watch can be purchased through HCP funding under ‘Assistive Technology’. Once your eligibility and funding is approved, your Home Care Provider can order your safety watch alarm directly through MePACS.