How does Tap2Tag Medical alert work for those with Dementia?
According to recent data more than 402,000 seniors are living with dementia in Canada. Annually there are approximately 76,000 new cases of dementia diagnosed in Canada each year. In 2010 it was estimated that 35.6 million people worldwide were living with dementia but this is expected to double by 2030.
Dementia is actually a set of symptoms that may include memory loss or problems with language, thinking or problem-solving. A person suffering from dementia may also experience changes in their mood and behaviour. Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by disease. Alzheimer's dease is the most common cause but can also be as a result of a series of strokes.
WHY IS TAP2TAG MEDICAL ALERT IMPORTANT?
If you have been newly diagnosed with any new medical condition it is likely that the medication you have been prescibed will change over time. But for those with loved ones who suffer from Alzeimer's disease or dementia then the risks are compounded. Not only is there the requirement to maintain their medication and make this readily availble. But there is also the fear that if someone does go missing, how easily will it be to get them back to those who love and care for them. A simple medical alert profile will allow a first-responder to see who the emergency contacts are and how to get them home.
HOW DOES TAP2TAG MEDICAL WORK?
We sell medical wristbands, cards and key fobs. Each device comes with a special chip inside it. For our newer devices each product also comes with a QR code too. A paramedic or first responder simply taps their NFC enabled phone against the device and your medical information appears. There are no apps to download, the information simply appears on their phone's browser.
DEVICES AND PROFILES
When you buy a Tap2Tag device you need to register it at our website. Every product comes with a unique code and once registered only you can control it. A profile is the type on information you want to attach to that device. Currently you can create medical, pet and connect profiles on your account. However you can only assign a medical profile to a medical device. This ensures that you cannot accidentally assign your dog's profile to your important medical wristband!
A medical profile is an extensive list of information about you and your medical information. It's exactly the kind of information a paramedic needs to treat you quickly. Here are just some of the pieces of information you can share.
- Name
- Medical history
- Medication
- Next of kin contact information
You can even include scanned documents within your profile such as care plans, hospital passports or copies of your prescription. It's completely up to you how much information your want to share. We also have a system we call Traffic Lights. This means that every piece of information in your medical profile can be controlled by you and this determines who can see this information. Green data means it pops up immediately on the paramedic's phone. Amber requires the first responder to login to get to more information about you and Red (Cross) is data you only want authorised medical practitioners to see. We even have a fourth category called Black Padlock, which only the account holder can see. Useful if you want to store a copy of your health insurance policy.
WHY IS TAP2TAG MEDICAL DIFFERENT TO THE REST?
There are two simple reasons. There is no other system in the world that offers this level of comprehensive data storage and gives you ultimate control over that information. The second is that our Tap2Tag Medical Alert service does NOT REQUIRE A SUBSCRIPTION. You can use the most comprehensive medical alert system in the world without needing to pay a subscription but, for some limited services, we do need to make a small annual charge. You can still update the information as much as you like. It's part of our mission to provide the best service possible to those that need it. It's a life saving and life changing product that already benefits thousands of people.
WHO SHOULD YOU BUY A TAP2TAG MEDICAL DEVICE?
If you have a loved one who has dementia or Alehimer's disease then there is always a risk that they may wander away without purpose. It is often left to the emergency services to find and re-locate those back to the ones who love and care for them. A simple Tap2Tag medical alert bracelet will allow first-responders to gather the critical information to get them home safely.
Anyone with a complex medical condition would have been advised by their health professional to purchase some sort of medical alert device. If you have been newly diagnosed or living with dementia then it is vital that you and other healthcare professionals can access your medical information quickly and efficiently. Costing from as little as CAD$9.99 for a wristband this could give you the peace of mind.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
There are a number of communities that can give dedicated advice to those with dementia. We have listed a few below.
Canadian Dementia Action Network
We are very proud of what Tap2Tag Medical Alert has become since we launched it in 2014. It has saved numerous lives but also changed the lives of many more.