Community Chat

[shaggygirl]

No advice on the life alert, never looked into it. But I want to extend my heartfelt sympathy to you on the loss of your husband. It's only been two months, it's all still so raw and shocky. You are still in the early stages of grieving. Lost my husband a few years ago after a long awful battle with cancer so understand where you're at. It sounds so trite but it is true that time is the great healer and you need much more of that. Nothing will ever be the same but it'll be okay, just a different kind of okay. You will get there but let yourself go through the process of grieving in whatever way you need to for however much time it takes you. God Bless You.

[qualitygal]

my dad used one like a watch. He did fall in the bathroom, and we had to have the ambulance come help him up. The other part was attached to the phone.  I can't remember the price and it's been over 3 yrs. now I had to pay those bills. But in that time, I'm sure the prices changed too.

[Pearlee]

@Ditzydori  What about just a portable one that you always wear?  And eliminate the house one that you may not be able to get to?  The portable one you can wear in your yard and everywhere - basement, attic (I have an attic), walking outside, wherever.

I would also get different price quotes from different companies.

When my mother was under guardianship before she passed away, her guardian got her the kind she wore around her neck, which included being worn in the bathroom (not sure if it was waterproof for the shower or not).   I saw from the financial reports he had to file each year that he paid $300-something annually for it which is much cheaper than your quote.  I'm sure the guardian got her something reliable (sorry I don't know the company's name) because he was responsible for her and he was a professional in the business that new about such things.

[excpa]

You can buy all sorts of little pouch-type things to put a cell phone in and wear it around your neck or your waist.  I had a free trial of life alert and was not impressed.  All they do is hound you for someone to call and if you have no one (I don't) they call 911.  It took forever to get them to take the stupid thing away.  And they had so many conditions and trules.  If you have trackphone service and/or can reach 911, go that route.  For less than $60/year, I have access to 911 without additional cost, equipment or idiot middle-men.  The phone itself cost about $20 and is a flip phone.   I also have some smart phones and I'm still learning how to use them.  I"ve since gotten over the feeling of needing constant access to a phone, but that's another long, dull story.

(edited for typing/spelling errors.)

[sfnative]

Though not yet in the market for one, I'd probably go with Lifeline.

I'd like to make 2 comments:

1.  My 85 year old next door neighbor has physical issues which make it difficult for her to walk.  She's also weak and suffers from breathing problems.  At the end of last year, she decided to discontinue her Lifeline because after having had it for so many years, they raised her rate by $10.  In denial about her physical limiations, within 60 days,she got out of bed in the middle of the night headed for the bathroom (needed a bedside commode) and tripped on something, taking a rather bad fall to the floor.  No fractures, but she laid there for hours until her son, who works long hours, got up and found her.  She was ultimately placed in a nursing/rehab facility for 6 months.  We were told she would never return home, but she did.  In the interim, her children removed nearly all furniture from the house, getting it ready to place on the market, as our neighbor hadn't paid property taxes in more than 4 years.  My neighbor NEEDED that Lifeline device around her neck when that fall occurred.  Has she renewed her contract with them and procured another device?  No.  When our bunch lunches once a month, she spends $36 on special cookies the pastry chef makes.  Clearly her priorities are elsewhere.

2.  Having access to immediate response while in the bathroom is crucial.  Though this is a subject you don't read about much in the aging and elder population, it is not uncommon for either hospital admits (stroke/cardiac event) or death to occur as a result of straining while on the commode.  This is one reason we must urge our elder parents, grandparents, neighbors, etc., to drink non-alcoholic and caffeine-free beverages often; eat meals with roughage; take a stool softener, if needed; and, don't hesitate to ask for help from their doctor, if things are getting plugged up.  This is a HUGE issue that is very commonly swept under the rug.

[LonestarBabs]

My mother has the5Star Response device from Greatcall -- the same people who make the Jitterbug phone. She wears the device around her neck, it has GPS, and with one push of a button she can talk to someone (even if she's just feeling scared). Before i moved in with her, I could track her via the GPS app on my computer. Her medical information and contact information is stored in Greatcall's database that I manage. it's $14.95 per month. If you have one of the Greatcall phones, you can get the 5Star Response built in. She has an older cell phone that she doesn't carry with her at all times, so the separate device works well.

The have a water-resistant model now call The Lively, and I think you can get it at Walmart.

[Gram W]

@Ditzydori.  I also am currently looking into an alert system.  I am a 72 year old widow and live alone.  A few weeks ago I passed out in my bathroom.  I felt it coming so I laid down on the floor.  I carry my cell phone in my bra but did not think I needed to call at 2AM.  3 hours later I woke up and went back to bed.  When his office opened I called my PCP and he told me to go to hospital where I was omitted.  In the extreme heat and humidity I had become dehydrated which allowed 1 of my meds to attack my kidneys.  At my follow-up appointment on Friday my nephrologist told me my kidneys now test OK.  I was lucky.  He insisted that I get a waterproof necklace with GPS tracking.   He said don't take it off to shower.  Many accidents occur in the shower.  Also I do not want something that only works at home.  I have family out of state to visit.  Tracking will allow the system to locate me at the push of my button.  No dialing required.

Today I have been looking on line at various companies.  The better ones are not cheap.  They said Medicare will not cover unless extreme need and most insurance companies do not cover.   I will be calling the Office for the Aging, our local Senior center in case they know the unit used most locally and my insurance company.  To date it sounds like another expense my very limited budget can't handle.   Time will tell but I do know I have to do something.  Next time something happens I might not be in control.

I treasure my independence and will work hard to keep it.  Good luck to us all as we try to navigate options and find a unit and system that fits our budget and allows us to safely maintain our independence.   I will be following to see the options and opinions of others here.

[Moonchilde]

---

@fthunt wrote:

Lifeline is the one I have -  got it after my husband died ten years ago because my house is 3 levels - and backyard.  My neighbors are close but would be no help should I fall down the basement stairs. I have one Lifeline machine connected to land-line phone - and a alert button around my neck.  Cost $40 some/month and I pay for 6 months in advance to avoid writing monthly checks or giving my financal numbers out.  Mail check to Boston - this unit was tested by the installer to reach from backyard to mailbox to upstairs & basement level..  One machine is all I have.  They make you check in monthly to test the equipment.  Once I had to mail my neck alert back for a new one because the battery pooped out.  That's very normal.  That $80 +  sounds too expensive to me.  Good Luck and let us know what you decide.

---

Lifeline is what we had for my mother. At that time it was about $30/mo so $40 sounds reasonable for now. We had to re-set the base station - basically push a button on it - every 24 hrs at some point. 

I know they push having one with you everywhere now, at great additional cost, but IMO, I think the house and yard is where most people need it. If you're at the grocery store and need medical help, bystanders call 911; same if you're in an accident. The only time I can see a real need for one to carry around literally everywhere is if you're camping in the woods or that kind of thing.

[Pearlee]

I do know that the one my mom had was not Life Alert.

[itsmetoo]

@Ditzydori

So very sorry for your loss. I will remember you in my prayers.

They do have devices that will detect if you fall down, even if you are unconscious and unable to push the button for help.  They detect your fall, call you, and if you don't answer they call 9-1-1 and send someone to your house.