"I've fallen and I can't get up" button, any recommendations?

[bellebud]

My stepdad just passed away last week, and we're worried about mom living alone. she's 74 and in good health but she had a hip and knee replacement and is always limping, so we're worried about her falling and cracking her other hip or something and not being able to get to the phone.

anyone have any experience with this?

 

[roseaster]

I don't have any recommendations as far as brands, but if your mother is an active person, in that she goes out and about, there are certain ones that have GPS and can be used anywhere, not just in the house. So if she were to fall at, say, the park or have a car accident they would be able to locate her.

I can't get my mother on board with the button, but I make her keep her cell phone in her pocket at all times. She can, at least, dial 911.

 

[bellebud]

I don't have any recommendations as far as brands, but if your mother is an active person, in that she goes out and about, there are certain ones that have GPS and can be used anywhere, not just in the house. So if she were to fall at, say, the park or have a car accident they would be able to locate her.

I can't get my mother on board with the button, but I make her keep her cell phone in her pocket at all times. She can, at least, dial 911.

thank you for the gps info, she goes everywhere, we'll want that feature for her.

 

[powellrj]

You might try your local hospital, that is where we rented our DFILs from.

 

[MIGrandma]

We had Lifeline for my Mom and were very happy with their service.

 

[2princesses3princes]

Lifeline is a reasonable priced one that can be linked to cell phones. There are a lot of smaller companies out there too. All are about the same cost. I have only had clients that have used lifeline though. Also, if she receives long term care funding through a government program (here in WI it is Family Care/IRIS) she may be able to get it paid for through the program.

 

[BunsenH]

We had one for my mother for a while, but gave up on it. The device worked fine. However, if the user is very hard of hearing, this happens:

False button press (or routine test from provider)
User does not hear confirmation calls from providers
Firemen arrive for a wellness check (In the middle of the night when user is in the bathroom)

 

[Poohforyou]

I've asked on Facebook for recommendations for my mom. Lifeline got the most recommendations. My mom is moving near us next month so we'll be getting it once she's here.

 

[Nohal]

We got my mom Lifeline. They all seem to be the same price. One word of caution, when I called to get info I didn't sign up wanted to think about it. They called me back the next day with better terms, free shipping, no charge to set up, etc. So whoever you decide to go with don't sign up right away see if you can get a better program. We got the program that detects a fall without pushing the button. We figure if she falls she may not be able to push the button on the necklace and feel more secure knowing that she has that. She carefully takes it off when she showers as she has someone to help her shower. It is waterproof but rope necklace doesn't dry right away.

 

[tvguy]

I would also suggest taking some time to decide who will be notified if there is an activation, and make sure those people are willing to be called.
My mom's neighbor got one, and without my mom's permission, gave the company her number. A few false alarms at 2, 3 and 4 in the morning and my mom just told the company to remove her from the call list.
Given that my mom was 89, and the neighbor was 80, not sure my mom was the best choice.
Also realize that statistically, most of the alerts sent out by those devices are either accidental, or due to equipment failure. Check with your fire department about what there policy is. Here, you get 3 free false alarms, then the fire department starts billing you $250 per false alarm.

 

[aprilgail]

Ours is hooked right into our house alarm- it came as package deal. When she pushes the button in seconds a voice comes over the speaker asking if she is alright. If they don't hear from her they call an ambulance and me.

 

[HM]

Is you Mom good with this idea?

My 80 yr old FIL has fallen and knocked himself out. When he woke up he cleaned up the blood on the floor from his forehead and just went to bed. Not a great scenario. The family pushed him to get Lifeline for similar after that, but he is not willing, and he knows it could happen again. He lives 2 1/2 hours from the nearest family.

 

[bellebud]

Is you Mom good with this idea?

My 80 yr old FIL has fallen and knocked himself out. When he woke up he cleaned up the blood on the floor from his forehead and just went to bed. Not a great scenario. The family pushed him to get Lifeline for similar after that, but he is not willing, and he knows it could happen again. He lives 2 1/2 hours from the nearest family.

OP here... mom doesn't really want it, but she never wants anything 'new'. but she really needs something if she falls. my brother and I both live about one mile from her, so we can both be called and not have to bother any neighbors. reading all the false alarms, have to really think about it. don't want it to become more of a pain than it's worth. she's in great health, but it's her hip and knee that I'm afraid will give out, and no one will know for a day or so.

 

[HM]

. she's in great health, but it's her hip and knee that I'm afraid will give out, and no one will know for a day or so.

Since you live close, I'd just be good about calling her each day. You could call in the morning and your sibling could call in the evening. If you can't get her on the phone and don't think she's out, then you know to go to her house.

 

[John VN]

DO NOT GET A NEED TO PUSH BUTTON TYPE. If the user falls and is knocked unconscious, how is the button going to get pushed????

https://www.lifeline.philips.com/safety-solutions.html?utm_campaign=5725&origin=7_us_en_v4k8_google Betty White endorsed could seal the deal for an older unwilling individual.

The GoSAFE model is very good.

 

[BunsenH]

Check that the monitoring/call center is in the USA and that is run by the company you are contracting. Some are not.

 

[Scootypuffjr]

I put the app Life360 on my mom's phone for free. It notifies me when she arrives or leaves her house and shows me where she is. If I know she's at home and call a few times with no answer, I know to send the neighbors over to check on her. I call her about once a day.