The Value Of A Medical Alarm

Several recent studies of Diseases and Causes of Death affecting US Senior Citizens show people over 65 are living longer, healthier lives. Of note, however, are some discrete differences among disease groups affecting male/female populations.

Medical Alarm Systems Can Help When Health Conditions Require Monitoring

In information gathered by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, National Vital Statistics, Aoa.gov, and the US Census Bureau there is a correlation showing that males are more likely to experience heart disease than females, although the gap seems to be closing. A whopping 37% of males suffer heart ailments of various kinds, while only 26% of females suffer the same disease process.

This pattern is reversed in hypertension disease, however, with 54% of women and 52% of men experiencing strokes or stroke related illness or death – a negligible statistical difference between genders. However, in both sexes, any risk factor over 50% can be highly significant when caring for this population or responding to a catastrophic medical event.

Additional information from the studies cites malignancies contributing to disease and/or death in women at a 19% rate, with men suffering cancer at a 24% rate. Combined malignancies of both men and women, however, are the second highest cause of disease or death, with heart disease being primary for both groups.

Other disease processes certainly contribute to illness or death but in smaller numbers. Some diseases dramatically affect quality of life, like arthritis, asthma, or emphysema. Diabetes additionally affects life quality in both men and women, and may be contributing factors in dying but in smaller percentages. Notably, women seem to suffer from arthritis more than men, 54% and 43% respectively.

Nearly three out of five seniors is female which undoubtedly contributes to some of the statistics compiled, as well as resources required for treatment. One out of eight US citizens is over the age of 65 and will likely grow as the population expands.

How do these facts affect family members, caregivers, the men and women over 65 themselves? Surely, sensitivities to speed of response should a catastrophic medical event present itself is vital. Overall treatment to prevent medical crises is also critical. The good news is that 2.8 million people celebrated their 65th birthday in 2008 – a substantial number of people living longer, healthier lives. Care of senior citizens both male and female is one of our greatest responsibilities as a society and will contribute to even greater longevity for all.

As people live longer with health conditions requiring treatment and/or monitoring, the value of medical alarms can help save lives! Without a mechanism to alert providers quickly should emergencies arise, seniors are handicapped. For individuals with heart disease or hypertension sudden events can occur with little or no warning. In short, living without a medical alarm system and the rapid response it provides is akin to going without a telephone itself.