Medical Alert Systems (call buttons, for elderly falls)

I liked my dad’s button features because you could tell them who to call (like a neighbor or the kids) before reaching out to 911. But they are only as reliable as the user. Once my dad fell in the backyard (fortunately not hurt but very overheated) and he had his button–and didn’t use it. All he had to do was press it and he knew that but for some reason it didn’t occur to him.

I’m going to suggest that no matter the system that you drill it some (like a fire drill) so it becomes top of mind in an emergency. And actually test it out–call the company so you’ve got some confidence that somebody responds to your calls (and that they’ll come through, the volume is correct, that they can understand you.)

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I love my apple watch but my 40 something year old eyes can barely see the screen without glasses, I’m not sure my 80yr old parents could manage it.

btw when I first saw the title of this thread I thought we were talking about getting alert buttons for our students in college and I was sure we’d completely lost our minds. :rofl: And yes, I can see a scenario where that would make sense for epilepsy or something like that, but my caffeine deprived mind had a vision of all of these kids wearing alert necklaces around campus. :rofl:

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LOL - good point. I changed title to say “elderly” instead of “senior”

An elderly person I was concerned about did something similar for me. I told him he had to call me every day- didn’t even have to leave a message - I could see that he called. I’ve also heard of people using something they put in their window in the morning and take out in the evening. Of course that assumes they can remember to do these things. But yeah, none of these ideas help right away with a fall.

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During Covid I read about a system where shut-ins would post a green, yellow (need help) or red (urgently need help) paper in front window depending on how they were doing.

@Colorado_mom if someone is in urgent need of help…how likely is it that they can post something in their window…

We have suggested some kind of alert system for overnight use in particular. The elder in our family is a fall risk, and gets up in the middle of the night and walks around. This elder flatly refuses to use one of these things.

There has been some discussion of cameras in the LR, hallways, kitchen, eating area at least.

If the elder refuses to use one of these alert systems…then what?

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I don’t know if this will work, but if you let the person know it’s for YOUR peace of mind more than them, could that help? I know, probably already done… but figured I’d suggest anyway.

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Here is the answer we get “that is for old people” (note…person giving that answer is 91).

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I think there is no perfect system but the perfect system is the one that will work for many (maybe not all) situations. No good to have a necklace they won’t wear. An Apple watch doesn’t cover all bases. Cameras may be seen as invading privacy. A sign in the window might get forgotten. Some options may not meet the budget one has to spend on a system.

But in the end, having something set up is better than nothing. And I’ll bet if you do nothing and then there is an emergency situation with no safeguards, at the moment you get that call you would surely wish you had tried SOME method.

Try one thing, cover some bases of safety, keep it if it works or change it if it doesn’t.

There isn’t a perfect safeguard - nor a “perfect” elderly person who will agree or comply with a safety measure!

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@abasket, as usual, your logic is impeccable.

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