Emergency Call System: Home Emergency Call or Gardia Emergency Call Wristband?

Marlon Besuch's grandmother, one of the founders behind Gardia, lived alone at home well into old age. She was an independent and active senior who enjoyed spending her time at home and out and about, alone or with friends and family. She handled household tasks such as cooking and gardening completely independently. She had been using an emergency call system for several years. The home emergency call system consists of an emergency call wristband equipped with a red emergency button. She didn't like the look of the emergency call wristband, and consequently, it ended up in a drawer more and more often, except when family came to visit.

One day, she unexpectedly fell, landed on the floor, and broke her hip. She cried for help, but no one heard her. It wasn't until 24 hours later that she was found in severe pain. Just a few hours more and the fall might even have been fatal.

After numerous and sometimes very intensive discussions with friends, acquaintances, and family members, we unfortunately had to realize that many people have already experienced such a situation in their own environment. Statistically, one in three people over 65 in this country lives alone in their own home¹.

Loneliness in old age is not uncommon.

In old age, social contacts often diminish, family members live miles away, partners pass away, and loneliness is often the result. In an emergency, many people living alone are left to fend for themselves. Falls are the most common cause of accidents in the home. Slippery floors, loose rugs, and steep stairs can quickly lead to a fall and have serious consequences in old age.

Especially after looking at statistics, many people tend to downplay their situation and trivialize the risks of falling: "Oh, only 5 percent end in fractures - you have to be that lucky!" Even if most falls in old age only cause temporary impairment, every 10th fall causes significant health problems. A previous fall is the best predictor of further falls. Perhaps you have already been in a similar situation or want to prevent exactly such a situation and protect your loved ones in an emergency. But how exactly? We'll explain.

Home emergency call as a lifesaver

You've certainly heard of the home emergency call. Senior alarm, senior emergency call, and emergency button are some synonyms for it. Exactly, it's about that small red transmitter worn on the wrist or around the neck, and let's be honest, most seniors are reluctant to wear it. Yet an emergency call system can save lives!

Classic home emergency call devices consist of a base station connected to the telephone line and the often red button worn close to the body. As the name suggests, a home emergency call system usually only works indoors. Often, the connection to the base station does not extend to the garden. In the bathroom, the button must be removed as it is not waterproof.

History of the Home Emergency Call System

In the early 1970s, the home emergency call system was designed and developed by Wilhelm Hormann². This restructured the outpatient and inpatient care and support for people in need of care. Over the past years, Hormann's concept has been further developed, and today there are numerous different solutions on the market that can protect you and your loved ones.

How does a home emergency call work?

A home emergency call system is an electronic reporting system, usually connected to an emergency call center, which initiates the necessary rescue measures in an emergency. Classic home emergency call devices consist of a base station connected to the telephone line and a transmitter worn close to the body. For installation, you often need a telephone connection and a power outlet.

In an emergency, the button can be pressed, establishing a voice connection via the base station with the provider's emergency call center. Some emergency call systems also allow storing telephone numbers of relatives, who are then contacted first in an emergency. The emergency call center or the relatives assess the emergency and then initiate rescue measures.

Quick help thanks to the home emergency call system!

Who needs a home emergency call system?

Older people who still live in their own homes should rely on the security of a home emergency call system. In particular, people who live alone and have already experienced a fall should promptly seek information about a suitable solution. Home emergency call users know that they can quickly call for help in an emergency. This security can help seniors achieve more independence and significantly improve their quality of life.

Advantages of a classic home emergency call system

A home emergency call system can offer a high degree of independence and, above all, security. Even for relatives who do not live in the same household, an emergency call device can be a psychological relief. The emergency call center is available 24/7, and even if you can't be there yourself, your parents or grandparents are well taken care of.

Disadvantages of a classic home emergency call system

An emergency call system has great advantages for the lives of both relatives and users. Nevertheless, the classic home emergency call system has some, even potentially serious, disadvantages.

Stigmatizing design with serious consequences

The appearance – a red button – is very conspicuous and quickly catches the eye. Many people find conventional emergency call systems stigmatizing and do not want to project an image of weakness or even helplessness. No one likes to admit that they are no longer young and may need a little help. Wearing a home emergency call button, which is often red, further signals declining independence to the outside world and burdens many older people.

As a result, the wristband is often taken off and forgotten, and cannot be used in an emergency, as we already saw with Marlon Besuch's grandmother. She only wore the emergency button when family came to visit, otherwise the unsightly button disappeared into a drawer. This attitude towards the home emergency call system contributed, among other things, to her lying on the floor for hours without receiving help. So why can't a home emergency call system be both practical and modern at the same time? We at Gardia took this question to heart – but more on that in a moment.

No automatic fall detection

The functionality of a home emergency call system is very limited. If the home emergency call user falls, they must also press the button to receive help. Falls are not detected, even though falls are one of the most common causes of accidents in one's own home.

No automatic emergency call:

If the home emergency call user is unable to press the emergency button after a fall, no emergency call will be triggered. This creates the risk of not receiving help despite having a home emergency call system and suffering serious consequences from a fall.

Does not work everywhere

A home emergency call button has only a short range to the base station and can often only be used within one's own four walls. For older people who do not leave their house at all or only with accompaniment, a home emergency call system might be the right choice. However, the range is usually not even sufficient for the garden, and if you want to move on several floors, you are forced to buy expensive amplifiers.

Voice connection only with the base station

In an emergency, the home emergency call user is connected to the emergency call center of the outpatient care service. The voice connection is established via the base station. Imagine your grandmother has suffered a serious fall in the bathroom, and the base station is installed in the living room. Your grandmother presses the button, and a connection to the emergency call center is established. However, she can barely hear anything and cannot tell the person on the other end of the line to send an ambulance as quickly as possible – valuable time is lost!

 

Home Emergency Call Made Better: Gardia Emergency Wristband

Mobile emergency call systems are suitable for people who are still relatively active and mobile but want to be prepared for an emergency. Gardia, the mobile emergency wristband, combines the advantages of a classic emergency call system while eliminating all the disadvantages that a home emergency call system entails.

• Modern Design:

  The emergency button on the Gardia emergency wristband is discreetly hidden and is not immediately apparent to the casual observer. Those who choose the Gardia emergency wristband as their personal emergency call system no longer have to fear being seen as helpless.

   

• Fall Detection:
  AI-based fall detection detects falls and triggers an emergency call.

• Automatic Emergency Call:

  In the event of a fall, the Gardia emergency wristband, thanks to its intelligent fall detection, triggers an automatic emergency call. Rescue measures can be initiated by relatives or the professional emergency call center even if the person is no longer able to press the button themselves.

   

• Works always & everywhere:

  Unlike a home emergency call system, users of the Gardia mobile emergency call system can move safely even outside their own homes and call for help in an emergency. With the Gardia emergency wristband, users have the opportunity to lead an active life without having to compromise on safety. Whether at home within their own four walls, shopping, taking a walk, gardening, or on excursions and trips within Europe.

   

• Positioning:

  GPS ensures that help arrives quickly, wherever it is needed. The user can be found in an emergency, even if the person is no longer able to communicate their location.

   

• Waterproof & Dustproof:

  To ensure all situations are covered, the Gardia emergency wristband is waterproof and dustproof. With Gardia, users can shower without problems and do not have to take off the Gardia emergency wristband when washing their hands.

See for yourself!

Would you like to experience the benefits of the Gardia emergency wristband for yourself? Nothing could be simpler. You have the opportunity to test the Gardia emergency wristband and the associated app risk-free for a whole month with the 30-day money-back guarantee. If you are not satisfied, you can return the Gardia emergency wristband to us free of charge and receive your money back.

Test now