Behind "looking after each other". The second layer of protection elderly couples need most

In many Hong Kong estates you see elderly couples keeping each other company through the years. Mr and Mrs Lam are both in their eighties and have looked after one another for a long time, feeling their days were steady and content. Their children make time to visit despite busy work, but for most of the week the flat holds only the two of them.

The children visit often and phone to check on them, but everyone has their own work and family, so most of the time it is still just the two seniors at home. Mr Lam had a stroke and moves more slowly since his recovery, needing extra care when walking. Mrs Lam has a heart condition and needs regular check-ups and medication.

For years the couple believed that living together meant they could always look after each other if anything happened. As they grew older, though, their children began to notice that while the two could keep each other company, if one of them suddenly fell ill the other might not have the strength or ability to cope.

After a family discussion, the children arranged the Easilink Home personal alarm service for their parents, and both Mr and Mrs Lam were very happy with the arrangement.

A sudden tightness in the chest

One evening Mrs Lam was resting at home as usual when her breathing became difficult and waves of discomfort spread across her chest. She tried sitting down, hoping it would ease, but the feeling did not pass and speaking became a struggle.

Mr Lam was anxious and wanted to help, but his mobility after the stroke made him slow and he did not know what to do. In that moment Mrs Lam remembered what her children had told her and pressed the help button on the alarm beside the bed.

The Easilink 24-hour support service centre connected quickly. Cherry, the officer on duty, calmed both of them while calmly and swiftly assessing Mrs Lam: whether she was conscious, whether she could speak normally, whether her breathing was still laboured, and how severe the chest discomfort was.

When she heard Mrs Lam gasp, "My chest feels so tight, I can't catch my breath...", and with the system already flagging Mrs Lam's heart condition the moment the call connected, Cherry did not hesitate. Following the emergency instructions the couple and their family had agreed in advance, she called an ambulance and contacted the family straight away with a clear account of the situation. While waiting for the paramedics she stayed on the line, reminding Mrs Lam not to move and steadying Mr Lam, so both knew help was on the way.

To hospital in time, crisis averted

The paramedics arrived and took Mrs Lam to hospital for examination and treatment, and the family reached her in time. The doctor explained that every second counts with a heart attack, and that she had been brought in within the golden window, so her condition did not worsen. After treatment and rest she is now doing well.

Recovering at home, Mrs Lam nodded and smiled: "We were so lucky that someone answered the moment we pressed it. If it had just been the two of us with no alarm, I really don't know how we would have managed while waiting."

I really used to think that having each other at home was enough. But when it happened, I realised how old I am. I wanted to help and I couldn't react, I wanted to walk faster and I couldn't. Thank goodness the children installed this alarm for us.

A second layer of reassurance for elderly couples

For elderly couples, looking after each other is years of shared feeling and understanding. But as both partners' health changes, company does not always mean the ability to handle an emergency. A home personal alarm does not replace a family's care, nor does it question a senior's independence. It simply provides an immediate line to support at the moments when family cannot be there and a partner cannot cope alone.