Evaluation of a Telemergency Service for Older People Living at Home: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERSs) are fall-detection devices supporting users in any situation. No previous studies have investigated the differences in events and the use of PERS between users financially supported by public authorities (public users) and those who privately afford the PERS cost (private users). More than two years of data collected by the Telemergency Operation Centre (TOC) were downloaded. All users who sent at least one real alert to request support were included. No differences were found for falls (37, 16.7% vs. 95, 13.4%) and medical problems (46, 20.7% vs. 122, 17.2%). The dispatch of an ambulance was necessary for all medical problems, while for falls, this was only in half of cases. Public users significantly asked more for service demand, while private users asked for support calls. The TOC staff directly managed most of the service demands (398, 97.3%) and support calls. PERS could be a valid instrument for promoting independent living and helping manage chronic conditions in older adults. The results suggest that PERSs might improve in-home care services, facilitating the connection to in-home services.