Medical alert systems

[johnnyvettes]

I got one for my mother in her later years . she wore it a few days then it sat on the kitchen table . I asked why are you not wearing it she said strange people talk to her when she has it on . LOL I told her she must have pushed the button they are used to accidental calls . don't worry about it she never wore it it was always on the table and she was all over the house . this is after she broke her hip twice . that never stopped her . she lived to 95 what a generation

[Sea Six]

Originally Posted by 04 commemorative

Wifes cousin was 88 years old and had one around the neck....he went out to get mail and fell....it called for help by itself......I think it was medic alert.
I think it would be better than a cell phone.

The Medical Alert device I got for my cousin also has fall detection. It also has a wireless number assigned so if he is not on his own property he can still use it.

[Kevin_73]

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

Is your mother tech savvy and organized enough to charge the pendant every day? You're envisioning that she put the charger on her night stand at night, then put it on every morning before getting up? Does she currently have a cell phone? If yes, is she good about charging it daily? If not, this seems like a lot to expect of someone older to get right, every single day, without fail. I bought my Mom a cell phone but eventually cancelled it because it was ALWAYS dead, in her purse, so useless in an emergency.

I also have big concerns about an elderly person with a broken pelvis being released unsupervised after 2 weeks. She should be with someone, at least for a while.

Finally, the old style buttons that work only around the house via a base station have their advantages, too, mainly, the pendant doesn't need charging, just a battery replacement every year or so.

She has a cell phone that she uses exclusively (no landline), and she does keep it charged. She was "tech savvy" enough to post cell phone pictures to a google group page earlier this week, so I think she can handle nightly charging.
Both myself and my sister are concerned about her being by herself so soon too, but she is pretty stubborn and really wants to go home ASAP. I saw her last night and was very surprised at how much better she is doing. She sat up unsupported in the bed for about 15 minutes, and she is annoying the staff there by using the walker instead of the wheelchair.
While I was writing this I got word that they want to keep her there for 2 more weeks (she reluctantly agreed to one).
As far as the units with a base station, I would like her to have an emergency device that will work anywhere. While there are cell based devices with a base station, she would have to remember to take that with her when she leaves the apartment (along with the wearable device). I think the Great Call is probably the best solution for her.

[Rob]

Amazon Echo "Alexa" has the capability to call authorities in emergencies. You can even get one with a video screen for chatting (or dropping in) to make sure things are ok.

If you have an Amazon account (current reports say over 50% of Americans have Amazon with Prime) then this would be my first place to start investigating

[mrvette]

These kind of threads are common, and so to say yet again....my sis is 87 and I am near 74 and Mom was '94 and when Mom was '87 or so, she went to dump some papers near the back kitchen door, lucky my sis was there and called the wambulance......so into a nursing home......where she was housed in basic delirium for about 4 years.....

All I have to say is, when I get that bad, hopefully I can still find a way to the back yard corner.....

[NeedSpeed]

We got greatcall for my mom. It's nice, she has both the button and the cell phone for it.

The nice thing about it is you can install an app on your phone and you can get alerted if is it's used, and you can track her location because it uses GPS. You'll also get a warning if it isn't charged, so you can make sure she charges it. You can give to app to any family/friends that you allow.

There is optional fall sensing if you want it as well.

Luckily we haven't had an emergency, but those abilities make it nice.

[Kevin_73]

Originally Posted by NeedSpeed

We got greatcall for my mom. It's nice, she has both the button and the cell phone for it.

The nice thing about it is you can install an app on your phone and you can get alerted if is it's used, and you can track her location because it uses GPS. You'll also get a warning if it isn't charged, so you can make sure she charges it. You can give to app to any family/friends that you allow.

There is optional fall sensing if you want it as well.

Luckily we haven't had an emergency, but those abilities make it nice.

Yep, that is the one that I showed her last night. I suspect she will probably (reluctantly) allow us to get it for her.

Thanks.

[simpleman68]

Originally Posted by Kevin_73

Yep, that is the one that I showed her last night. I suspect she will probably (reluctantly) allow us to get it for her.

Thanks.

It'll be nice to know she has "backup" if she ever gets into trouble.

With my Step Dad gone I worry about my Mom even though she's only 74 and in great shape.
Only takes a goofy fall for someone to really be in a jam. Hate hearing stories about older folks that lay on the floor for days awaiting help.
Scott