As of: February 23, 2024, 8:20 p.m
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Seniors who live alone have no help in emergencies.
In such cases, a home emergency call can be the right choice and even save a life.
Living alone can be dangerous in old age: A study by
London's University College
found that people with few social contacts have a higher risk of death.
Things become particularly tricky when no one helps people living alone in emergencies.
For such cases, there is the home emergency number of the German Red Cross (DRK), the Malteser Hilfedienst, Diakonie, Johanniter and other providers.
The device can be used to call for help in an emergency situation, even without a telephone.
What is a home emergency call and how does it work?
With the home emergency number, people who live alone have the opportunity to call for help at any time.
© Imago
The home emergency call is a small device with a button that is worn on the arm or as a necklace.
It can be useful in old age or when a person lives alone and has an illness or other disability.
If an emergency occurs in which the person needs help (e.g. a fall), by pressing the button the person will be connected to an employee of the DRK emergency call center or another provider.
This employee first speaks to the person, evaluates the situation and – if necessary – notifies the emergency services, a doctor or sends a DRK emergency team or notifies relatives.
For example, if the person in need of help has a heart attack, the ambulance will be called.
If she just fell and can't get back on her feet on her own, it may be enough to contact a neighbor and ask for help.
Setting up the home emergency call: This is how the installation works
In order to set up a home emergency call, you first have to order it online or by telephone from most providers.
Beforehand, it makes sense to get advice, get offers or compare prices on comparison portals.
Once the decision has been made for a provider, the device is sent home.
The provider then sends an installer at an agreed time to set up the system.
According to Notrufsysteme.de
, the basic package that every emergency call service offers costs
between 25.50 euros and 30.00 euros.
If there is a recognized level of care, this basic monthly fee is covered by the care insurance company.
If you want, you can book additional services.
The DRK basic tariff includes the following services:
Installation of the device
the bracelet or necklace
an introduction to the system
the replacement of defective parts
the battery change
Assistance with applying for costs to be covered by the nursing care insurance fund
Accepting and processing all emergency calls received via the emergency call button
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According to Drk.de,
additional services that can be booked
include opening the apartment during rescue operations (to avoid the door being broken into) or opening the apartment if keys are lost.
The home emergency call can also be set up so that it detects smoke, water or gas leaks and automatically sends an alarm.
Little helper: emergency call button for seniors
A senior emergency call button, also known as a mobile emergency call system, is a portable device that seniors carry with them to call for help in an emergency.
These devices come in different designs
(promotional link)
and can be worn as a necklace, bracelet or watch.
They enable the user to call for help directly at the push of a button.
Some models connect directly to an emergency call center, while others can be configured to call a predetermined contact (e.g. a family member or friend).
In contrast to the home emergency call system, these devices are usually designed more simply and are limited to the basic function of making an emergency call.
What is the home emergency call for: Five reasons why it makes sense
1. The affected person can stay at home
If the person is old or sick, they can stay in their own four walls through the home emergency call.
This means that despite restrictions, her independence remains to a certain extent and she can still rely on a safety net.
2. Emergency service 24/7
Unlike a nursing service that comes three times a day, or relatives who stop by every now and then, the home emergency number can be pressed at any time.
An elderly person who falls during the night and cannot get up again does not have to wait until the morning, but can get help straight away.
3. Caller information is available to the emergency call service
Anyone who has a home emergency call system at home is registered with the respective provider, including a list of medications and existing illnesses.
As soon as the emergency button is pressed, the emergency call center already knows what kind of patient it is and can immediately react appropriately and, if necessary, forward the information to paramedics.
4. Easier than a phone
The home emergency call is always worn on the body as a bracelet or necklace and can therefore be pressed at any time - unlike the telephone, which may be out of reach in emergencies.
5. Automatic alarms
The home emergency call can be set so that it also sounds an alarm if the wearer can no longer press the button themselves.
This can be the case, for example, if there is a leak in the apartment and the person is already unconscious or does not come forward for a certain period of time.
The providers then contact you and check whether the patient is doing well.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.