The recent tragic circumstances of an elderly man who was found dead weeks after his demise has shocked the whole nation. Once again, this has brought on the national agenda the debate about fragility and insecurity of our senior citizens as well as why, given the advancements in technology, society is still faced with such situations.

With the ageing population steadily increasing, the debate on providing adequate care for our beloved ones will definitely intensify. Unless we grab the bull by the horns and address this issue as part of an all-encompassing strategy in geriatric care in Malta, such situations are bound to reoccur.

Such a strategy cannot be a one-size-fits-all solution as the elderly have different needs and their health situations vary. When it comes to geriatric care, society is often at a crossroads. At some stage in one’s life, one is will be faced with the question: what is best for my parents now that they are getting on in age? Settling them up in a home for peace of mind or providing a safe home environment?

From an authorities’ point of view, the question is: should the country continue to invest in the development of large-scale care homes or should it provide better community care for the elderly so they can remain in their home environment?

Research has shown that the elderly are happier in the environment they grew up in and are familiar with. Furthermore, maintaining a certain degree of independence helps keep the elderly’s morale up and restrain that feeling of dependency and sometimes uselessness. But can they be left alone? Will they be safe at home? What can one do to ensure a high level of safety?

Technology and home improvements can help make an elderly person’s home safer and more secure

Fortunately, today technology and home improvements can help make an elderly’s home safer and more secure. There are all sorts of devices and personalised solutions that can help the elderly retain a high level of independence in the comfort of their home. Such solutions provide win-win solutions for families and the elderly alike.

On the other hand, by providing technology-based solutions at our senior citizens’ homes to make them safe and provide the necessary back-up to call for help at the touch of a button, the government can save on huge investments that are used for the development of care homes for the elderly.

Technological solutions like the Telecareplus service, which is a phone-based emergency line linked to a call centre that can be used by the elderly and people with special needs in emergency situations, can help to provide that peace of mind to individuals who require additional care while maintaining independence within the home.

Such technology helps to enhance the country’s commitment towards active ageing, which is an international ongoing effort to improve the quality of life in the latter stages of individuals’ lives and help them feel in charge of their own lives, not only as they age but also throughout their lives.

Today, there is also a vast range of add-on services that complement the Telecareplus service.

These include fall, smoke and intruder alert devices for added peace of mind.

Such diverse solutions provide a heightened sense of security both to vulnerable individuals and to their families.

On a broader level, such devices show the incredible developments that can be made to provide a far higher level of electronic health. These devices are playing an important role towards improving people’s lives and ensuring that their independence is safeguarded while still being able to feel they are not alone in a way that respects their dignity.

Roland Cachia is general manager of emCare.

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