Recs for medical alert device
I have tried with my mom and my in-laws. They all refuse/forget to wear it. Or they would take it off to take a shower (and they had waterproof ones) and "forget" to put it back on. My mom has life-alert.
I have been told it is a common problem about not wearing the necklace/bracelet. So I put in two cameras and my siblings or myself check a few times a day. The only issue with the camera is obviously it does not help when she is in the bathroom or outside the house.
Also, my mom tested it a few times the first couple of months -- so I got a warning from the service that if she did not stop testing them they would cut off the service. I just laughed and said do what you want but if it feels better for her to test it, consider it the cost of doing business.
mikescott said:
Also, my mom tested it a few times the first couple of months -- so I got a warning from the service that if she did not stop testing them they would cut off the service. I just laughed and said do what you want but if it feels better for her to test it, consider it the cost of doing business.
Silliness thy name is senior. A few months ago I locked myself out of my building and apt. Required the services of the Maplewood Fire Dept to get this senior inside. Mentioned this to a cousin whose husband has a dangerous diabetic situation. He needs access to his meds . They bought a strong but comfortable cord with easy key attachments for around the neck........so did I from Amazon.
This medical situation is one with no wiggle room. When I had my heart attack I had a few minutes to respond and friends around to help. Not always the case........I lost an Uncle who had a stroke and lay all night on a cold garage floor before he could summon help.
No excuses cut it if you place yourself in jeopardy with such an easy solution handy
Thank you. I will look into life alert. He needs something to help him stay safe when alone. It's worth a shot.
we used this company for my mom's device, very pleased with service and price and my mom always wears it, thankfully! https://www.bayalarmmedical.com
Consider an iPhone with voice activated Siri. If you are in trouble, lying on the floor, Hey Siri, call 911 or call Brklyngirl.
Before my mother got her 24 hour aide service, we used Philips Lifeline. It saved her three times. The nice thing is the pendent knows when a person falls. Someone falling unconscious will still get help dispatched.
We tested every month and they didn't mind. When we tested the response was within about 10 seconds. The falling option worked well. We did not get any false alarms.
Twice she fell and managed to press the button to call for help. The third time she was not capable of pressing the button but the help signal went out anyway. The Philips operator then tried to contact her but not getting a response then called 911.
Contacting through the base unit works for a large, like 5 room, apartment. But if its really large or a large house an extension communicator can be added at another location.
formerly: I asked my dad to answer my cell a few days ago and he held it upside down and couldn't slide the button. No phone for him! Lol
we have had Medical Alert mobile since my husband became disabled in 2016. There were two or three times when I summoned help for him due his falls — more like slips to the floor — Response time was excellent. He wore the bracelet but I don’t know if he would use it himself. The police are the first responders who quickly assess a need for medical transport — and were more than willing to just hoist him up into bed.
A month ago, I went into our garage, closing the door to the house behind me, and promptly made a six point landing slipping on a piece of cardboard. Husband was safely tucked up in his recliner and would never had heard me if I had yelled. He would have become alarmed when I did not come back in, and would have certainly fallen if he had tried to get up!
That scenario played over and over in my mind and it finally convinced me to wear the necklace. For the both of us!
I have had iPhones for years, but I never carry them with me every minute. I am rethinking the wisdom of that — perhaps I will wear my phone around my neck instead of the alert, I could call on a neighbor instead of the police!
mtierney said:
we have had Medical Alert mobile since my husband became disabled in 2016. There were two or three times when I summoned help for him due his falls — more like slips to the floor — Response time was excellent. He wore the bracelet but I don’t know if he would use it himself. The police are the first responders who quickly assess a need for medical transport — and were more than willing to just hoist him up into bed.
A month ago, I went into our garage, closing the door to the house behind me, and promptly made a six point landing slipping on a piece of cardboard. Husband was safely tucked up in his recliner and would never had heard me if I had yelled. He would have become alarmed when I did not come back in, and would have certainly fallen if he had tried to get up!
That scenario played over and over in my mind and it finally convinced me to wear the necklace. For the both of us!
I have had iPhones for years, but I never carry them with me every minute. I am rethinking the wisdom of that — perhaps I will wear my phone around my neck instead of the alert, I could call on a neighbor instead of the police!
Again, newer iPhones are voice activated and do not require wearing it around your neck.
consider getting a couple Amazon echo dots and enabling the my buddy app.
Person needs to say Alexa, ask my buddy to alert all -- and texts/emails/calls will go to up to 5 people (more for paid service) . I think it's a phenomenal service
I ordered a lanyard and strap iPhone holder yesterday. Hopefully, it will encourage me to keep it around my neck every day!
mtierney, I do hope you've had a better day than the above. In any case, I'm sure you're better looking. : )
NYT Wirecutter reviewed this category in May: https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-medical-alert-systems/
We're probably going to go with their top pick. I'll let y'all know how it goes.
My dad is home alone most of the day and I think it's time that I buy him a medical alert device. Any recs for a particular brand would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.