Among Friends

[bri20]

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!!!

[Q4u]

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~!  

[bri20]

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

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

[LonestarBabs]

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.

[karuna]

@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.

[2cockers1cat]

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.

[Havarti]

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. 

[bri20]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far 

I'm going to look into the HSN system.  

[Q4u]

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@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.... 

[Imadickens]

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!