Consider the gift of peace of mind with Carenect

Care Connection for Aging Services is suggesting that caregivers and friends offer the “gift of peace of mind” to their loved ones with products designed to add comfort and security for older adults who live alone or away from family.

The agency, in partnership with the USAging and Critical Signal Technologies (CST-LTL), offers the Carenect program to older adults in the 13-county West Central Missouri service area.

“Gift giving for older adults can be a challenge, so we are offering the idea of setting them up with a personal emergency response system,” said Marilyn Gunter, Director of Care Management. “The cost of the installation and monthly fee would make an excellent gift to a loved one who lives alone or away from family members.”

Care managers can install several types of units in seniors’ homes and show them how to use the system, which allows seniors to speak to a Carenect center representative at the push of a button. The units are designed to work with landline and cellular phone systems and provide two-way communication with Carenect.

During an initial enrollment, Care Connection’s care managers will ask the participant a series of questions to determine which unit would be best for their particular needs. The care manager then provides the unit and makes sure the participant knows how to use it.

Once the unit is installed, a participating senior can call the Carenect program any time, providing an added sense of comfort and security knowing help is only a push button away 24/7.

“It’s not just for emergencies,” Gunter said. “If a user has any health-related questions or concerns – or needs anything – they just push their button, and the carenect center representative will assist them.”

Gunter used as an example someone who awakens with anxiety in the middle of the night. “He can talk to the representative, who will ask questions to evaluate the situation,” Gunter said. “If warranted, the Carenect center representative could call 911 to summon a first responder or simply comfort the individual with the assurance that everything is OK.”

The Carenect center representative has immediate access to personalized client files with instructions for the family or caregiver contacts and appropriate emergency response. Active older adults who live alone may want to consider a mobile unit that allows them to summon help if they fall off a ladder (indoors or out) or take a tumble during a jog or hike.

The Carenect program provides plug-and-play medical alert and medication management system technology without long-term contracts or activation fees.  The Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) include 2-Way Clear Voice technology for an instant conversation with the Carenect center representative whenever needed.

Care Connection has systems in stock and can provide immediate assistance. The system costs vary, depending on the unit installed. To get started, call Gunter at 1-800-748-7826.

Care Connection for Aging Services, a non-profit area agency on aging serving West Central Missouri, operates 21 locations in 13 counties – Bates, Benton, Carroll, Cedar, Chariton, Henry, Hickory, Johnson, Lafayette, Pettis, Saline, St. Clair and Vernon. The agency’s mission is to provide opportunities to create positive aging experiences. For more information, call 1-800-748-7826 or email  information@goaging.org.