A quick story today from Sue Diekmann, R.N., who leads our Ecumen at Home services in the Twin Cities:

Last night at 11:30 p.m. one of our customers, an 86-year-old woman who lives alone in her Saint Paul home, fell down in the bathroom.  She tried to get up, but couldn’t.  She was, however, able to press the alert button on her unobtrusive medical alert wrist band, which dialed a person she had designated as an emergency contact.  But that person didn’t answer.  So the wireless service called another person she had designated.  But that person didn’t answer.  So the med alert service contacted paramedics.  They were at her home by 11:45.  They assisted her and prevented a trip to the hospital emergency room.   Soon therafter our Ecumen at Home service received an update report from the wireless call service, so we could follow up with our customer on her well-being.

It’s a great example of how this simple use of technology is connecting the customer, friends and home care professionals to empower a person to live with peace of mind in her own home.  It’s changing aging.