Exploring patterns of personal alarm system use and impacts on outcomes.

Authors :: Andrew NE
Wang Y
Teo K
Callisaya ML
Moran C
Snowdon DA
Ellmers S
Beare R
Richardson D
Srikanth V
Source :: Australasian journal on ageing [Australas J Ageing] 2021 Sep; Vol. 40 (3), pp. 252-260. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Mar 28.
Publication Year :: 2021
Abstract: Objectives: To describe the patterns of personal emergency response systems (PERS) use in a statewide cohort of older Australians.<br />Methods: PERS data from clients enrolled in the Personal Alarm Victoria program between January 2014 and June 2017 were analysed. Alarm activation reasons were extracted, and a medical record audit was performed for a sub-cohort of patients admitted to a local hospital following an alarm event. Descriptive statistics were used.<br />Results: There were 42,180 clients enrolled during the study (mean age 80 years, 80% female, 93% living alone). An ambulance attended 44% of the fall-related events and 81% of events coded as unwell. Activation reasons were distributed equally between a fall and feeling unwell, and a repeating pattern of activation reasons was observed. In our sub-cohort (n = 92), the majority of admissions (86%) followed an alarm activation coded as unwell.<br />Conclusion: We demonstrated recurring patterns associated with the reasons for alarm use.<br /> (© 2021 AJA Inc.)