topic Re: LIFE ALERT anyone use/own? in Community Chat

LIFE ALERT anyone use/own?

sunshine45 — Wed, 05 May 2021 18:21:28 GMT

i am thinking of getting this for my mom who will be 81 this year.

any pros, cons of this device?

any other devices i should be looking at?

any and all input would be appreciated!

Re: LIFE ALERT anyone use/own?

Sushismom — Wed, 05 May 2021 18:30:37 GMT

My mother, who's now 96, has one. It's good EXCEPT for the fact that when they need to call 911, they use a tracking device that doesn't always give the right address.

For example, twice 911 went to the wrong house since that's the address they were given. We live across the street from a corner and that's the house they went to.

We called Life Alert and told them to send 911 to the ADDRESS GIVEN. Period. Let's see what they do next time they need to call 911.

Re: LIFE ALERT anyone use/own?

Desertdi — Wed, 05 May 2021 19:21:43 GMT

Your mother may be insulted.....and disinherit you....... (I would)

Re: LIFE ALERT anyone use/own?

Bri369 — Wed, 05 May 2021 19:26:46 GMT

We got Life Alert for my dad a few years ago. He wasn't happy about it, but went along with it.

The issue was that he lives in a condo. If he was unable to get to the door, the police/fire/ambulance people would need to get buzzed in and then get in his unit. They suggested we get a keypad and give them the code. My dad felt very uncomfortable with that.

He made us return it.

Re: LIFE ALERT anyone use/own?

Anonymous032819 — Wed, 05 May 2021 19:34:46 GMT

My dad had a Life Alert, problem was, HE NEVER USED IT! He was too proud to ask for help if he fell, which he did. More than once, I would get home from work, and when I would talk with him, and he would tell me that he fell that day. *sigh* You can lead a horse to water....

Re: LIFE ALERT anyone use/own?

Sushismom — Wed, 05 May 2021 19:37:25 GMT

@Anonymous032819

Interesting. My mother has one that senses when she falls. In fact, there has been a few times when they called when she hasn't fallen.

Re: LIFE ALERT anyone use/own?

sunshine45 — Wed, 05 May 2021 19:45:04 GMT

@Desertdi wrote:
Your mother may be insulted.....and disinherit you....... (I would)

really @Desertdi ? i find that insulting.......

my mom and i dont have that type of relationship.

i have already discussed it with her.

she has fallen twice in the past two weeks and i am worried that if she is alone she will not be able to get to a phone if she falls again.

Re: LIFE ALERT anyone use/own?

sunshine45 — Wed, 05 May 2021 19:46:10 GMT

@Sushismom wrote:
@Anonymous032819

Interesting. My mother has one that senses when she falls. In fact, there has been a few times when they called when she hasn't fallen.

@Sushismom

what is the brand that your mother uses?

Re: LIFE ALERT anyone use/own?

Alter Ego — Wed, 05 May 2021 19:46:45 GMT

@Sushismom wrote:
@Anonymous032819

Interesting. My mother has one that senses when she falls. In fact, there has been a few times when they called when she hasn't fallen.

This.

Had to discontinue the fall feature. They called my mother all of the time and, twice (three times?) emergency services was called because my mother didn't answer the phone. One of those times, they walked into the bathroom while my mother was sitting on the toilet. Suffice it to say, we took that particular necklace off of her and the calls stopped.

Re: LIFE ALERT anyone use/own?

Mom2Dogs — Wed, 05 May 2021 19:55:03 GMT

My grandma had one...I do not recall if it offended her or not, but she fell several times..when it first happened she had to lay there until my cousin stopped in or I stopped in (daily) to help her up...and not one person could lift her.

Once she had the life alert and fell, she did use it..it would call family first, then 9-1-1.

Re: LIFE ALERT anyone use/own?

AnjalenaQVC — Wed, 05 May 2021 19:56:18 GMT

This post has been removed by QVC because it contains a link.

Re: LIFE ALERT anyone use/own?

patbz — Wed, 05 May 2021 20:12:22 GMT

Don't know anybody who uses one but obviously, for at risk people, they're a good idea. Years ago, my Mother inlaw fell in her bathroom after tripping over her small dog. She hit her head and was in and out of consciousness for 2 days before one of DH's siblings discovered her. What was odd is that one or the other sibling would visit her everyday but that weekend they were both away and assumed the other would still be visiting. She survived but the quality of her mental status was never again the same.

Re: LIFE ALERT anyone use/own?

kaydee50 — Wed, 05 May 2021 20:10:41 GMT

@Desertdi wrote:
Your mother may be insulted..... and disinherit you....... (I would)

Why??? I think it's a great safety feature like grab bars in the shower. I tripped in our condo back in December and badly hurt my foot. Could not get up. If I had been alone, not sure what I would have done, probably would have called 911. But having something like Life Alert or similar would give me great peace of mind.

I have no problem admitting I am getting old (71) and may need help at some point.

Re: LIFE ALERT anyone use/own?

Shelbelle — Wed, 05 May 2021 20:24:33 GMT

I used Senior Safety for my Mom, was very pleased with it, very reasonable, no contracts to sign and very good customer service.

Re: LIFE ALERT anyone use/own?

sunshine45 — Wed, 05 May 2021 20:24:04 GMT

@Shelbelle wrote:
I used Sr Safety for my Mom, was very pleased with it, very reasonable, no contracts to sign and very good customer service.

thanks @Shelbelle , i just requested their brochure.

Re: LIFE ALERT anyone use/own?

Shelbelle — Wed, 05 May 2021 20:28:57 GMT

@sunshine45 wrote:
@Shelbelle wrote:
I used Senior Safety for my Mom, was very pleased with it, very reasonable, no contracts to sign and very good customer service.

thanks @Shelbelle , i just requested their brochure.

Sun, I used it a while ago, my Mom passed away in 2013, but I had done my homework, when I chose it. They had a few options but she chose to wear a watch on her wrist. but, there were no contracts, cancel at any time, and their service was very good. when she passed away, I sent the equipment back, feeling pleased. They also included a lock box for her front door, I liked that. It was useful for myself too. with tech changing so often, they may now offer more high tech solutions then they did then. good luck !!!My Mom was over 90 when I got it for her, and she lived alone in a single home.

Re: LIFE ALERT anyone use/own?

Icegoddess — Wed, 05 May 2021 20:31:16 GMT

HSN used to have a lanyard device that just called 911. It didn't track you, so you would need to be able to speak to them. They now have the same thing that plugs into the cigarette lighter in the car, but no lanyard one. I see QVC has a similar lanyard one that is water resistant. They do nothing but call 911, but there are also no monthly fees associated with it. You can wear it as a lanyard, or clip it on a purse. I have considered getting one as a just in case to have with me, not because I think I will fall, but just for an unforseen emergency situation.

Re: LIFE ALERT anyone use/own?

Barkanyc — Wed, 05 May 2021 20:46:43 GMT

Life Alert was AWFUL. I needed an alert system for my mother. They made me sign a contract which was hard to break even when she passed away. They also conned me into subscribing for features that were not needed. BUYER BEWARE. Recently I needed to enlist a service for myself. Using Alert 1 which I am very pleased with. No contract, no hard sell. Highly recommend.

Re: LIFE ALERT anyone use/own?

Auntie Goose — Wed, 05 May 2021 20:47:33 GMT

I bought my mother an Apple Watch for Christmas. She has fallen a couple of times in the last 2 years. The Apple Watch too, has fall detection. When you fall, it asks if you are ok or to dial emergency services. If you don't respond, it calls emergency services and your emergency contacts.

From my understanding, the Life Alert doesnt have fall detection but some other brands do. So if you fall and get knocked out, there is no way to press the button.

I know for myself, when I panic, it is not always easy to fiddle around with my phone or apple watch. It is a very secure feeling knowing if you're alone and you have an emergency, whether it's an health issue or fall or robbery or fire that all you have to do is push a button. Seconds count in emergency situations and when you press the button, help is immediate.

They also help you with your decision making, not everything is worthy of a hospital trip or police call- they can connect you to your emergency contacts.

My mother is going to be living alone soon and I am still researching which brand and service to get her.

https://www.consumerreports.org/medical-alert-systems/how-to-choose-a-medical-alert-system/

Re: LIFE ALERT anyone use/own?

fthunt — Wed, 05 May 2021 20:58:48 GMT

I've had one for 14 years - have never needed to use it (happy happy) but.......I have a 3 level house - stairs to the laundry with a cement floor.

I carry ladders up/down - lawn blowers - groceries down to big freezer - change filter in furnace, etc.

I'd rather have help come, if needed, than to lay on the basement floor with a broken leg for days.

Push the button and police - firemen - medics come charging

Peace of mind..................