<p>We got a Radio Shack model,<$100. One time purchase and will call multiple phone numbers. I have tried Lifeline but found them to be expensive in monthly cost and no better than Radio Shack. I also find that the local hospital franchises the service and it was a hassle in determining who I had to talk to. Losing a lifeline button, will cost you $100. You pay for service. I also look into ambulance insurance, maybe a few hundred/yr.</p>
<p>Paying3, such a familiar scenario to me. Its so difficult when they want independence but really aren’t capable of it anymore. The dollar amount to keep an elderly person "independent’ can be staggering as we found out. Very tough all around.</p>
<p>My grandmother had one, and like others have noted, when she fell she didn’t use it because she didn’t want to bother anyone. My in-laws have one (I think it’s only one and my father in law wears it) and I think he gets some security from knowing that it’s there.</p>
<p>Soozie, my mom too, uses the cell phone as her landline for long distance calls (she actually got rid of regular long distance.) But we are fortunate that she is vigilant about carrying it with her whenever she leavese the house, even to get the mail. I believe she even carries a phone when she goes up and down the stairs. She really, really values her independence (don’t we all?) and is pretty savvy about how to be careful and prudent in order not to threaten it.</p>
<p>Wow, thank you for all of the responses.</p>
<p>If I had to guess, my mother would be one of the types that would not use it even if she were wearing one. She has fallen once or twice and on those occasions was bumped and bruised but managed on her own. I am going to have to convince her to wear something. </p>
<p>She won’t even discuss a senior community or assisted living - of course having a parent that insists on staying in their house alone into advanced old age (and won’t let her children get her a cleaning service!) is a thread unto itself.</p>
<p>For my 80-90 year old in laws, we had encouraged a move to asst living for years, to no avail. We finally decided living in their own home with help is their version of asstd living. One thought, if the older person has lived in the same home for 30-40-50-60 years and it is paid for and has tons of appreciation, your capital gains taxes may be avoided if they live out their lives there- of course you still have estate taxes, but could avoid the cap gains- that offsets a gardener and house cleaner and drop in CNA</p>
<p>My mom is “only” 77 and in good health but after my father died a year and a half ago she got one of those necklace things and wears it at all times when she’s in the house. It’s tied to her alarm company and there’s a lockbox on her front door that contains a key to the house so emergency personnel can enter (it’s the same sort of lock box that I had on my door when I was selling my house.)</p>
<p>My mom’s the one who got it and it makes her feel safe. I’m grateful for it.</p>
<p>Does anyone have a good website for some of the models mentioned? My mom is 68 today, but due to some medical conditions, I am really starting to worry about her living alone. My biggest fear is that she will fall down the steps and not get to the phone. I have ‘suggested’ that she might think about moving to a home all on one floor, but she refuses to even discuss that option. She has lived in our family home since 72 and my guess is she will never leave there willingly.</p>
<p>Some of you have parents who are unwilling to give up their independence due to money issues, (even those who have the money…that growing up in the depression mindset) denial, not wanting strangers in the house, etc. This causes a great deal of frustration and worry on the part of the children. We are trying not only to care for our parents, but work, cook, clean, shop, and raise kids. Sometimes it takes something to happen before they will finally accept some help. </p>
<p>I do empathize with everything that everyone is going through, since we went through it with my parents, and now we are going through it with my in laws.</p>
<p>Its such a difficult situation, especially if the “elders” don’t live nearby. We found an eldercare coordinator (basically a social worker for hire who specialised in geriatric care) to help us with my mother’s living situation which worked out pretty well. She came over, got to know my mother, was in touch with the agency where the practical nurses came from, gave recommendations on insurance, even things like carbon monoxide alarm placement in the house. We were beside ourselves worrying about her all the time (“don’t worry, dear, I’m fine”) and having her helped quite a bit.</p>