Why Seniors Hesitate to Seek Help After a Fall

Falls are a significant health concern for older adults, often leading to injuries, reduced mobility, and loss of independence. Despite the availability of medical alert devices, research shows that many seniors avoid calling for help after a fall due to psychological, social, and practical barriers. We researched dozens of studies on why seniors refrain from pressing alert buttons or seeking immediate assistance, highlighting their preference to wait for someone nearby. It includes direct citations from these studies to illustrate these barriers and explores how proactive daily call systems, like Verocall, address them effectively.

Barriers to Help-Seeking After Falls

Studies consistently identify reasons why seniors avoid using alert systems or calling for help after a fall, including concerns about independence, embarrassment, and not wanting to inconvenience others.

Desire to Maintain Independence

A 2021 scoping review published in PMC analyzed 52 studies and found that seniors prioritize self-reliance, viewing help-seeking as a threat to autonomy. The review states, “Older people often valued their independence and preferred to manage their health and wellbeing without external help” (PMC, 2021). This leads many seniors to wait for informal help from family or neighbors rather than press an alert button. Similarly, a 2016 study by Miller et al. in Ageing & Society noted, “Participants described not asking for help as a way to maintain a positive self-image and to demonstrate their ongoing competence” (Miller et al., 2016), explaining why seniors avoid formal help to preserve independence.

Fear of Causing a Scene

Seniors often hesitate to call emergency services or use alert devices due to fear of drawing attention. The PMC review highlights this, noting, “Participants in several studies reported reluctance to seek help due to not wanting to ‘make a fuss’ or draw attention to themselves” (PMC, 2021). A 2014 study by Dollard et al. in Family Practice found that older women avoid seeking help from general practitioners post-fall, stating, “Some women expressed that seeking help would be embarrassing, fearing they would be seen as frail or incompetent” (Dollard et al., 2014). This leads them to wait for informal support to avoid a public spectacle.

Reluctance to Inconvenience Others

Concerns about burdening others are a significant barrier. The PMC review found, “Older adults often delayed seeking help because they did not want to burden family members or healthcare providers, particularly if they perceived their condition as non-serious” (PMC, 2021). Similarly, Miller et al.’s 2016 study noted that seniors “preferred to wait for someone they knew to assist rather than involve formal services, to avoid troubling others” (Miller et al., 2016). An article from Assisted Living Directory describes cases where seniors refuse to press alert buttons, waiting for family or neighbors to avoid formal involvement.

Embarrassment and Normalization of Falls

Falls are often normalized as part of aging, reducing the urgency to seek help. Dollard et al.’s 2014 study found that “women often normalized falls as an expected part of ageing, which led to delays in seeking help unless injuries were severe” (Dollard et al., 2014). A 2023 PMC study on health self-management technologies noted that seniors with pendant alarms avoid using them, stating, “Some participants only used their pendant alarm in extreme circumstances, citing embarrassment or fear of appearing weak” (PMC, 2023), even when alone and at risk.

The Value of Medical Alert Devices When Used

Medical alert devices, such as pendant alarms, are effective when activated, reducing response times and preventing complications after a fall. The 2023 PMC study found that “when used, pendant alarms enabled rapid connection to emergency services or caregivers, minimizing risks like prolonged immobility” (PMC, 2023). These devices are critical for seniors living alone, providing a lifeline in emergencies. However, their effectiveness is limited by seniors’ reluctance to use them due to the barriers discussed above.

Strengths of Proactive Daily Call Systems Like Verocall

Proactive daily call systems, such as Verocall, address these psychological and social barriers by offering a non-intrusive safety solution.

Regular, Discreet Check-Ins

Verocall’s daily check-in calls allow seniors to confirm their well-being without needing to press a button or draw attention. This aligns with Miller et al.’s 2016 finding that seniors prefer informal, low-profile assistance, as noted in their preference to “wait for someone they knew to assist rather than involve formal services” (Miller et al., 2016). Verocall’s routine calls reduce the stigma of help-seeking.

Comfort with Independent Third Parties

Seniors are often more comfortable discussing their status with an independent third party than with family or emergency services. The 2021 PMC review noted that seniors “did not want to burden family members,” making third-party services like Verocall appealing (PMC, 2021). These services provide a professional, neutral point of contact, reducing feelings of embarrassment or dependency.

Preventing Escalation Without Causing a Scene

Verocall’s proactive model escalates to designated contacts or emergency services if a senior misses a check-in, without requiring the senior to initiate action. This addresses concerns from Dollard et al.’s 2014 study about avoiding public attention, as seniors can avoid “being seen as frail or incompetent” (Dollard et al., 2014). The automated escalation ensures safety while respecting discretion.

Encouraging Engagement Without Pressure

Daily calls foster a relationship between seniors and Verocall’s staff, normalizing safety checks. Unlike alert devices, which require a conscious decision during a crisis, Verocall reduces psychological barriers noted in the 2023 PMC study, where seniors avoided alarms due to “embarrassment or fear of appearing weak” (PMC, 2023).

Conclusion

Research, including studies from PMC (2021, 2023), Miller et al. (2016), and Dollard et al. (2014), shows that seniors avoid calling for help after a fall due to a desire for independence, fear of causing a scene, embarrassment, or reluctance to inconvenience others. Medical alert devices are effective when used, as they enable rapid response, but their success is limited by seniors’ hesitation. Proactive daily call systems like Verocall overcome these barriers with regular, discreet check-ins, engagement through a neutral third party, and automated escalation, ensuring safety while respecting seniors’ preferences for discretion and independence.