The views of elderly people on emergency alarm use

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Abstract
A survey of residents living in local authority (LA) and private housing association (PHA) sheltered accommodation was undertaken to examine and compare the frequency of use and acceptability of the installed alarm system. The majority (80%) of residents had been taught how to use their alarm by the resident warden, but only 35% had received any information on when to use the alarm. In a perceived emergency, 19 (20%) residents did not use the alarm to summon assistance. When the alarm was used, 94% of residents received help within 10 minutes of the call. Over one-third of those questioned had never used their alarm. None of the patients supplied with a portable trigger wore it, either because it was perceived as too sensitive or the appearance was deemed unattractive. Nonetheless, most of the residents (81 %) felt that the alarms were useful and provided reassurance. There should be greater selectivity in the alloca tion of alarms, more education of alarm users to improve the usefulness of these systems, and better design of portable triggers to make them more acceptable to the wearers.

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