Medical alert system for elderly relative

[I Have A Dream]

My 90+ year old grandmother recently fell and was on the floor for over 4 hours before a relative got worried and went to check on her. My family checks on her often, but this happened in the middle of the night, so it wasn't until the morning that we realized that something was amiss.

My grandmother refuses to go into an assisted-living home, although she does live in a complex which is specifically for older people. I fear that if we insist that she move into an environment where she has less independence, she'll lose her will to live. She has her full mental faculties, but she's beginning to lose her balance quite easily. She's a very proud woman and usually refuses to use her walker because she says that it makes her look old. :eyes:

I'd like to purchase a medical alert button that she can wear so that she has immediate access to the outside world if this were to happen again. Of course, I need to be certain that this service is through a reliable company. Luckily, she was so scared from this last incident, I have confidence that she'll wear the button.

Does anyone have any experience in this area? I'm thinking of going with a company called "Alert One". Has anyone had any positive or negative experiences with this particular company? Any other recommendations?

Thank you so much for any help that you can provide. :)

[bicentennial_baby]

1. Get in touch with your local Visiting Nurses' Association

They set it up for my Mom and Dad (ALS and MS, respectively). We have the box though, which is installed in the kitchen. Push the button and the ambulance comes. I assume they could hook you up with the kind you wear too. It costs us $37 a month.

Good luck! :hi:

[I Have A Dream]

4. Thank you so much for your well wishes!

I feel so bad that she suffered for so long. I'm sure that she was terrified. :(

[u4ic]

2. Hi Dream!

I have no information, only hugs for you and good vibes and wishes for your grandmother. :hug: :loveya:

[I Have A Dream]

5. Thank you, my dear friend!

I hope that we can talk soon! :loveya:

[u4ic]

7. We will!

:loveya:

[FloridaJudy]

3. How about a cheap cell phone?

One of those pre-paid services, like TracFone has them for approximately $15 for three months of service. That's expensive per minute, but unless your Granny's the chatty sort, it's cheaper than a contract or a medic alert service. These days they're small enough to tuck in a pocket or clip on a belt.

[I Have A Dream]

6. The cell phone is a good idea, but I don't think that it will take the place of...

the medical alert button since she wouldn't have it with her if she gets up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. That's how she fell this time. :(

Thank you for your suggestion and for responding. :)

[meegbear]

12. If she does have a cell phone ...

have her add in the phonebook "In case of emergency" and a family member's number. If she's not home and has an emergency, there is a way to contact family.

[I Have A Dream]

14. Luckily, she realizes that she can no longer go out without a family...

member; it was so difficult to convince her that she should no longer drive.

Thank you for responding. :)

[HeresyLives]

8. Well, I got my mother one on her wrist.

She used it often. When she ran out of coca-cola. When she ran out of coffee. When she wanted to check if the device was working.

Unfortunately, the night she tripped and fell and hit her head so she was unconscious, she didn't get a chance to use it.

Luckily, she was discovered by one of her support workers and taken to hospital. And here I thought I had all the bases covered.

[I Have A Dream]

9. That's unfortunate. I'm glad that she was found in time.

Was your mother starting to deteriorate mentally, or did she just not understand what the purpose of the button was?

Thank you for your response. :)

[zanne]

10. My 91 year-old aunt had a medical alert system...

She was adamant about staying in her home. She was doing pretty well, actually; still able to take care of herself and even mow her lawn! One day she fell and if it hadn't been for that button, she would have been there like that for a day or so. She broke her hip and went to an assisted living facility. She loves it!

[I Have A Dream]

15. I'm so glad that things worked out so well for your family, zanne.

I want her to be able to live life to the fullest that she can, given the situation.

Thank you for sharing your success story. :)

[LaurenG]

11. Oh that happened to my mom and she had the

medic alert installed, she just wasn't wearing it when she fell. She stayed on the garage floor several hours with a broken hip. She has since moved in with me.

I think the systems are all really good, all the ones we looked at were comparable.

I wish you all the best with this, I know how worrisome it can be. :hug:

[I Have A Dream]

16. Thank you, OB. I'm sorry that your mother had to go through...

that experience, but I'm glad that she's now safe.

:hug:

[GardeningGal]

13. We had one for my mom and it worked well.

She wore it as a necklace and could tuck it under her shirt and be with her all the time. She used it just the one time and I was called and got to her home within 10 minutes. Surgery was her only choice (and not good odds for survival) and she opted not to have it. The family was able to get to the hospital and spend her last hours together.

I can't say enough about how well it worked for us. I don't remember the exact company we used, we asked her doctor and then met with them and were happy with their service and signed up. You could check with some senior centers for company recommendations in your area. It is money well spent in my opinion.

[I Have A Dream]

17. Thank you for sharing your story, GardeningGal.

I'm so glad that you got to spend her last hours with her. That's a priceless gift. :hug:

[RubyDuby in GA]

18. Are you my brother? I swear we have the same grandmother!

Mine is only 89 and refuses to use her walker for the very same reason. She falls quite a bit. She's starting to lose her memory and I personally think she's suffering from dementia. She refused to go to an assisted living facility. She currently lives in a senior citizen high rise with other older people (who scare the living shit out of me because they all still drive). Several have started fires there!

My mother and uncle just got her Life Alert. She wears it on a chain around her neck. So far she hasn't had to use it, but its good to know that its there. They are pretty pleased with it so I hope things will be ok for her.

[zanne]

20. I think Medic Alert is just wonderful.

(Or any other similar service). It not only gives the older person (or disbled person) a lifeline, it's peace of mind for the family. Before my aunt got one, I used to call her a couple of times a day and when she didn't answer her phone, I'd panic and drive to her house. (She was always in her garden, doing groceries, etc.). She had it when she finally needed it, too. Saved her life and it saved my sanity.

[I Have A Dream]

21. LOL There *are* quite a few coincidences, aren't there?

:D

I'm glad that your grandmother will also be safe. These older ladies are real examples of courage, aren't they? They've gone through so much during the course of their lives. This part of their lives should be as rewarding as possible; these medical alerts allow them to continue to actually live their lives rather than being stuck somewhere just waiting to die.

Thank you for responding. :)

[SeattleGirl]

19. My mom had one of those systems (I can't recall the name of the

company, however).

It was great, because the sound of her voice carried wherever she was in the house, without her having to shout or anything, and she could hear them too. She wore the call button around her neck.

I think that would be a great idea for your grandmother. She could maintain her independence, but would be able to summon help if ever she fell again.

[I Have A Dream]

22. Thank you, SG, for responding.

Your mother's system sounds very similar to what I'm considering.

Yes, maintaining her independence is what I want. :)

[crispini]

23. You can actually buy a phone with this capacity.

http://www.cordlessworkz.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1033

I don't know anyone who owns it, and you'd probably have to program it for her, but it might enable you to avoid a monthly fee. :hi:

Edit: here's one with 911 too:
http://www.cordlessworkz.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=883