topic Re: Medical Alert System in Among Friends

Medical Alert System

bri20 — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 20:40:41 GMT

I need suggestions for a medical alert system for my dad. I've been suggesting this for a good year, but I think we need to have one.

On Monday, he wasn't feeling right. Hours went by, and he finally called my sister at work because he wanted to go to the hospital. When she got there, he was in bad shape and she thought it was a good idea to call 911 and get him there right away.

It turns out he had a heart attack. He had a major heart attack 16 years ago and needed a triple bypass. This morning, they did an angio and got a stent in place. He's doing incredibly well for being 85

Anyway, I would feel much better if he has a medical alert system in place. What if he couldn't get to the phone or fell - there are so many things that could have happened.

I know this question has come up before, but there are so many companies He would need a lockbox for his door too.

Thank you!!!

Re: Medical Alert System

Q4u — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 20:48:54 GMT

I agree, I think these Alert Systems are an incredible advancement and if you're able, do so. I understand there is one company (I'm sorry, I don't know the name but maybe it can be googled) that automatically alerts the company even with a fall without having to physically press the button, it senses when someone has fallen.

In 2010 I fell down a flight of stairs and hit my left cheekbone on the wood bannister below. Knoclked unconscious, had 3 brain bleeds and a concussion.... if my DH hadn't been home I would have died. I had no physical problems.... just stepped out of one of my shoes while starting down the stairs~!

Re: Medical Alert System

bri20 — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 21:03:24 GMT

@Q4u, are you okay now? That must have been frightening.

All the the companies I've been looking at have the fall detection.

Re: Medical Alert System

LonestarBabs — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 21:22:35 GMT

I have the GreatCall 5Star Response for my mom. (same people as the Jitterbug phone) It has a built-in GPS device so can be used outside the home. They have been wonderful to deal with, and you can log on (once you've established a customer profile) at any time to update information (such as meds, drs, emergency contacts) and see where your Dad is! $14.95/month.

Many local police and fire depts will provide a free lockbox. We don't have one, but have the keys safely secured for emergency access. I don't know if the 5StarResponse program provides a lockbox.

Re: Medical Alert System

karuna — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 22:10:45 GMT

@bri20

I have used many systems with my famiy and I find this device to top the in-home only systems for many reasons.

vsnmobil.com/products/v-alrt

In case I can't post that it's vsnmobil ---check out the products read alll about v-alrt

It's a one time purchase of $39.99---no monthly fee. It's a button you press if you need help, or it can detect a fall and activate it. The user needs a smart phone--Apple or android, but you can get an inexpensive one with pay as you go minutes. If you are in trouble, you press the button, it automatically sends a text to three people with a message you have pre-written and your GPS location is indicated. The button makes a noise as well. Then the system calls the three numbers.

The person in need of help has to be within I think 200-300 feet of their phone outside and about 75 feet inside. So, you can be out and about town, or anywhere, or in another area of the house or yard and it will work. It uses a watch battery you replace once a year.

You can wear it as a watch, pendent, clip...

I have one and I think the innovation it great for people from kids to adults.

I hope your dad is healing and you relax a bit. Take care and my best to you and your family.

Re: Medical Alert System

2cockers1cat — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 21:27:45 GMT

These systems can be life savers. However... The user has to accept the technology.

I knew two 90 yo's with alert systems, a family friend and my FIL. Both refused the passive fall alert systems. Neither one pushed the button when in real distress. They didn't want to "inconvenience" anyone by asking for help.

The friend lay on her bathroom floor until a daughter came to see why she didn't answer her phone in the morning. My FIL lay on the kitchen floor because he didn't want EMS to have to break in to help him. (He later told me replacing an exterior door is too expensive) A grandson found him abt 11am. Both of them recieved daily welness checks either by phone or in person from family and friends. That's the only reason each received necessary medical intervention.

Re: Medical Alert System

Havarti — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 21:39:31 GMT

HSN has 911 Help Now for $140. It has GPS tracking so it is good anywhere in the USA. It connects directly to the nearest 911 call center (not to a service center the seller provides as a middleman). It has a speaker in it so he can talk directly with the local 911 operator. What is nice is that HSN is offering it until the end of the month with no monthly fees (or any additional fees except replacement batteries) for the life of the machine. That is a HUGE benefit. Some of these services make you sign a yearly contract and even if the person dies, you have to keep paying. Many of them are not cheap with their monthly fees. I do not know if it has fall detection. It is worth taking a look to see how it compares.

Re: Medical Alert System

bri20 — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 21:42:03 GMT

Thanks for all the suggestions so far

I'm going to look into the HSN system.

Re: Medical Alert System

Q4u — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 14:18:18 GMT

@bri20 wrote:
@Q4u, are you okay now? That must have been frightening.

All the the companies I've been looking at have the fall detection.

You are so sweet, yes, I'm okay, just a few residual things... my balance is slightly off, not bad but will probably not resolve. My memory of that time is very sketchy. I have a real strong unconscious fear of falling (somehow I understand this ).... I even get spooked going past the opening of our basement stairs and that probably will never resolve. I force myself to go down the stairs but very carefully! LOL! I'm very, very grateful to still be here....

Re: Medical Alert System

Imadickens — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 00:52:29 GMT

We had one for my mom years ago. I thought it was connected to our house alarm system so left it when we moved. Turns out it was connected to phone line. We did not have lock box, but had an emergency contact number. Try calling a local Alarm Company. Good luck, and I'm glad your father is doing well!

Re: Medical Alert System

Shelbelle — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 13:47:52 GMT

We used Senior Safety for my mom, no contracts, very nice CS and great service.

Re: Medical Alert System

henderson — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 15:35:58 GMT

My mother-in-law had one when she lived in senior living apartments before she moved to a group house where she doesn't have Life Alert. The problem was that she would pull it for an ambulance instead of calling her son or daughter first. It was never a true emergency, just something she could deal with at a dr. appt. Thankfully she can't have one at the group home as they have someone on staff 24/7.

On the other hand, my mom who is 97, 7 years older, doesn't want to wear one and she lives alone. If she slipped in the shower that would be bad news. They are waterproof. Unfortunately, she won't give up her car and still drives even though I reported her to the DMV (she lives in So. Calif); her dr. said it was ok to drive (this was about 4 years ago) and she took driving lessons.

It's a battle I can't win because my sister, who lives close by (I'm out of state) wants her to drive as she is afraid she will lose her independence and make my sister's life more miserable that it already is! Her license expires when she is 102!! Outrageous.

Re: Medical Alert System

bri20 — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 14:24:37 GMT

He wanted Life Alert - felt comfortable with that company. It's being delivered on Wednesday.

He had a small stoke which is affecting his balance. When they discharge him from the hospital, they are transferring him to a rehab place. Hopefully, he won't be there long.

Thanks for all the suggestions. This is uncharted territory for us.