Medical Devices, like Life Alert, but calls me instead of service

(=Meow=)

Like many on this forum I can not leave mother alone, but life happens - have to run out to the store, have my own doctor's appointments, need a break from the crazy, etc.

Last week I had to run out to pick up a prescription, sat mom down in her chair, told her to be good and that I'd be right back....Like any small child, she did the exact opposite of what I asked - got out of her chair, wandered around and fell, not bad but still, she laid there helpless till I got back. 

star26

PWD usually do not remember to press the button if they need help. There are devices that will immediately call for help if a fall is detected but you need to rely on the PWD to not remove the device from their body and also not to screw around with it. It didn’t work with my Dad. His geriatric psychiatrist said they don’t work well for any of her PWD. You might try getting one or more cameras instead, such as Ring, and then you can see what she’s doing and even talk to her through it. If you set it up for motion activations you can get an alert on your phone when she’s in a certain area or moving about. You cannot count on a PWD to remember or follow your instructions while you’re gone. Anything can happen.

Quilting brings calm

My parents  each have a pendant that alerts the staff at their ASL.  Dad ( not diagnosed) is too stubborn and in denial of  his physical health so won’t wear it.  Mom( diagnosed) doesn’t seem to wear hers either.  The only time they wore it was this summer and fall when they went outside.  They had to because the doors were locked to visitors due to Covid so they had to buzz to be let back in.  That call button is for anything they want from the staff even they only need someone to fix the tv or get something off a shelf. They’d rather call me and make me call the front desk.

mommyandme (m&m)

Cameras were necessary for my mother. She wore the pendant also but it wasn’t  100% if even when she did fall. I bought four inexpensive cameras that are easily set up around the house. I can share them with anyone that’s helping also. They’ve been a lifesaver, even now when she’s got me 24/7.

(=Meow=)

Cameras it is then.

And thank you Quilting brings calm, it seems such devices really do exist, should give them a chance as they are active...I don't think she progressed to the point where she couldn't push a "panic" button.   Might hit the button all the time, but that's a different problem. 

Jane Smith

There are pressure mats (for use on the floor) that can trigger an alarm, and something else called a “chair alarm.”  I’m not sure they would work if you’re out of the house but can definitely be used if you’re in a different part of the building.  So for instance, a lot of people will put the pressure mats by the side of the bed so if the person gets out of bed, it alerts you. 

The chair alarm is something that attaches to a person and makes noise if they move too far and it might not be helpful, but just so you know about it.   Also inexpensive door alarms can be helpful for some people. 

I’d check a medical supply company or even Amazon?  Sorry I don’t have better suggestions.  This is such a difficult disease. Hope you find something that works for you. 

harshedbuzz

(=Meow=) wrote:

Cameras it is then.

And thank you Quilting brings calm, it seems such devices really do exist, should give them a chance as they are active...I don't think she progressed to the point where she couldn't push a "panic" button.   Might hit the button all the time, but that's a different problem. 

FWIW- there was a thread about this very question a few months back- perhaps you can find it using the search function or google. TLR the wasn't a "panic button" that went to a private number- only call centers. 

My thought is this, how would you know if your mom would press a button? Have you tested her to see if she could call 911 in an emergency?

Not long before my dad went into care, they had a new HVAC system installed. Mom had an important appointment of her own that day and asked me to be on hand in case the install techs had any questions. Dad's spatial reasoning was shot to sh*t by this point and he was fixated on creating a Jack & Jill suite in the utility room so she was concerned Dad might order the techs to do something crazy. At this point he was quite verbal and articulate.

During the install, some welding triggered the smoke detector. Dad sat there for what seemed a long time and then asked me what the noise was. I explained that the techs had triggered the smoke detector. He stood up after another seemingly long period of time and announced that he was going to go find my mother so she didn't burn in the fire. He forgot I told him it wasn't a fire, he forgot that mom wasn't home and at no point did he call 911 or ask me to. At that point it became abundantly clear dad could not be safe home alone for even a few minutes. Mom was already bringing a HHA if she'd be gone more than an hour or two.