Caregivers' Frequently-Asked Questions
At Lifeline, our goal is to make independent living easy for seniors and their caregivers. If you have a question about caring for your loved ones, you may be able to find the answer here.
When Seniors Fall
Philips Lifeline with AutoAlert with Fall Detection is a sleek wearable that uses two different technologies to more accurately detect falls, avoid false alarms (a leading reason people don’t like wearing alert devices), and call for help whether your parent presses the button or not. Learn more about why Lifeline’s AutoAlert fall detection is right for your loved one.
When Seniors Have a Medical Emergency
You’re right to worry about unforeseen medical emergencies, like heart attacks, dizziness or disorientation. Philips GoSafe is perfect for active seniors who spend a lot of time outside the home, enabling them to request assistance from any location at any time. Philips HomeSafe with AutoAlert is designed for homebound seniors, providing a 24/7/365 virtual companion that’s just a button-press away.
For Seniors with Chronic Conditions
These adults are more likely to fall, and they require emergency transport 54 percent more often than their healthier peers.[1] Our CareSage solution uses a predictive analytics engine to help your parent’s care team determine when s/he may be at more of a risk for a health episode or fall so you can take preventive action. Philips GoSafe and HomeSafe with AutoAlert give your chronically ill parent access to assistance whenever s/he needs it.
For Active Seniors
Philips GoSafe gives your active parent the freedom to pursue their interests and activities with the confidence and security of knowing help is a button push away. This wearable is waterproof, so it can be worn even in the bath or shower, where almost 36 percent of home-based fall injuries occur.[2]
When Seniors Have a Non-Medical Emergency
Our call center agents, accessed through a Philips Lifeline with AutoAlert device, are ready to assist even when your parent has a non-medical need, such as when s/he is locked out, requires roadside assistance, or needs to report a burglary or fire.
How can falls be predicted, identified, and reported?
Our CareSage solution uses data from your parent’s medical records, plus Lifeline enrollment and medical alert service activity, to predict if your parent is likely to need assistance, or is at risk for emergency transport in the next 30 days. That empowers the care team to prepare accordingly. If a fall does occur, quick response is vital: 60 percent of seniors who don’t request help for an hour or more are unable to return to independent living.[3] Philips Lifeline with AutoAlert with Fall Detection uses two different technologies to more accurately identify and report falls. The AutoAlert Help Button detects more than 95 percent of many types of falls*, and can automatically call for help with or without the push of a button,** so help is on the way much faster than if your parent called 9-1-1 on their own. Learn more about what happens when seniors fall.
*Based on the number of undetected falls that have been reported to Philips Lifeline by U.S. AutoAlert subscribers for the period from January 2012 through July 2012. Undetectable falls can include a gradual slide from a seated position – such as from a wheelchair, which may not register as a fall.
**AutoAlert does not detect 100 percent of falls. If able, the user should always push their button when they need help.
[3] AutoAlert & Falls – The Facts
How do we access 24/7/365 support and keep track of medications?
Philips Lifeline with AutoAlert with Fall Detection give your parent access to support 24/7/365, whether they’re having a medical emergency, need help after a fall, or are feeling lonely or disoriented. This “virtual companion” gives you and your parent the confidence to continue living how and where s/he wants to. In addition, our Automated Medication Dispensing Service keeps track of medication dosages and schedules, and automatically dispenses them appropriately. This lowers the likelihood of medication errors – the leading reason people over 75 are hospitalized[4] and a major factor prompting caregivers seek assisted living options for their parents. Learn more about aging at home.
How can I ensure my parents adhere to their medication routines?
Our Automated Medication Dispensing Service takes the stress and worry out of taking medication correctly. You can customize and control dispensing for multiple medications, create reminders and instructions, and track when doses are missed and supplies are getting low. The dispenser gives you and your parent confidence that the right meds are taken at the right time in the right way, and can lower costs by avoiding side effects, improving medication adherence to 96 percent, and reducing ER visits by 53 percent.[5] Learn more about the cost of medication errors.
Rapid Response
Admissions to the hospital and subsequent moves into long-term care are strongly associated with lying on the floor or ground for a long time after a fall.[6] With Lifeline with AutoAlert with Fall Detection, it takes just 21 seconds for a trained agent to answer a call after a button is pressed or fall detected.[7]
[6] Gurley RJ, Lum N, Sande M, Lo B, Katz MH. Persons Found in Their Homes Helpless or Dead, NEJM 1996; 334(26): 1710-1716.
[7] According to results from an analysis of Philips Home Monitoring internal data collected from Aug. 2015 through Aug. 2016. All data is reported with a +/- 95% confidence interval.
Better Monitoring
Our CareSensus solution uses discreet motion and opened/closed sensors to monitor your parent and algorithms, predictive analytics that send early warnings of potential problems to healthcare providers, and a tablet-based communication system for immediate two-way video engagement with caregivers and health professionals.
Accurate Medication Dispensing
Our Automated Medication Dispensing Service can improve medication adherence to 96 percent, which can reduce ER visits by 53 percent[8]. It also can decrease the incidence of medication errors, which are the top reason people over 75 are hospitalized.[9]
Lower Emergency Medical Costs
Philips GoSafe and HomeSafe with AutoAlert and the Automated Medication Dispensing Service can reduce the cost of caregiving with rapid response to falls and other medical emergencies can reduce expensive ER visits (average cost: $1,233[10]) and ambulance rides (average cost: $429/[11]), as well as avoiding high deductibles.
Our personal emergency alert systems range from $539 to $659 per year; the Dispensing Service starts at $719 per year. Check with your CPA about medical expenses – some systems that maintain medical information may be deductible. Learn more about how to reduce the cost of caring for an aging parent.
[10] Caldwell, N., Srebotnjak, T., Wang, T. et al. “’How Much Will I Get Charged for This? ’ Patient Charges for Top Ten Diagnoses in the Emergency Department.” PLOS ONE.
Fewer Hospital or Skilled Nursing Admissions
Philips GoSafe and HomeSafe with AutoAlert and the Automated Medication Dispensing Service can reduce the cost of caregiving by preventing medication errors and falls to help keep your parent from requiring admission to a hospital (average cost for a fall-related admission: $30,000[12]) or nursing home (median cost of private room: $92,378/year).[13]
Our personal emergency alert systems range from $539 to $659 per year; the Dispensing Service starts at $719 per year. Check with your CPA about medical expenses – some systems that maintain medical information may be deductible. Learn more about how to reduce the cost of caring for an aging parent.
[12] Burns EB, Stevens JA, Lee RL. The direct costs of fatal and non-fatal falls among older adults—United States. J Safety Res 2016:58.
[13] https://www.genworth.com/about-us/industry-expertise/cost-of-care.html
Less Need for In-Home Services
Philips GoSafe and HomeSafe with AutoAlert and the Automated Medication Dispensing Service provide better monitoring and response, which can lower your parent’s need for in-home services like a home health aide (median cost: $46,332) or homemaker service provider (median cost:$45,760).[14]
Our personal emergency alert systems range from $539 to $659 per year; the Dispensing Service starts at $719 per year. Check with your CPA about medical expenses – some systems that maintain medical information may be deductible. Learn more about how to reduce the cost of caring for an aging parent.
[14] https://www.genworth.com/about-us/industry-expertise/cost-of-care.html
How can Philips help me monitor my parents when I'm not there?
Better remote monitoring of your parent’s health and wellbeing reduces your need to take time off from your job or from other family obligations. Philips Lifeline with AutoAlert with Fall Detection detects more than 95 percent of many types of falls* and reduces false alarms to only one every two months[15]. That means fewer unnecessary trips for you to check on Mom or Dad or respond to erroneous calls for help. The Automated Medication Dispensing Service makes it easier and more reliable for your parents to take their own medications correctly, eliminating the need for you to supervise every dose. Many of these devices also provide information to the care team, saving you time during doctor visits. Learn more about balancing caregiving and work.
*Based on the number of undetected falls that have been reported to Philips Lifeline by U.S. AutoAlert subscribers for the period from January 2012 through July 2012. Undetectable falls can include a gradual slide from a seated position – such as from a wheelchair, which may not register as a fall.
[15] AutoAlert Webinar FINAL052
How can I reduce the toll of caregiving?
Philips Lifeline with AutoAlert, Automated Medication Dispensing, and other Lifeline solutions ease the physical and emotional toll of caregiving. When you’re confident your parent is healthy and safe, and when you’re not stressed out over having a too-long to-do list, your relationship with every family member improves. TV and radio host Leeza Gibbons, who cares remotely for her dad and is a Philips Lifeline spokesperson, explains: “I don't nag so much now knowing that Philips Lifeline has us covered! Seriously, I had become so concerned about dad's wellbeing that much of our conversation was ‘what to do about that’. Once he had the Lifeline, I was secure in knowing that he could go about his busy life without worry.” Learn more about using technology to stay connected with your parents.
