Alarm vs baby monitor

RobOT

My father was just diagnosed with a severe heart block, and has been starting with dizziness and hallucinations he reacts to.  He's been confined to a wheelchair because he falls when he walks away from his walker, which he does a lot now, and he's getting up at night on his own, mostly, I think, to go to the bathroom.  I'm hoping to hear opinions about the pros and cons of baby monitors vs something like an alarm pad.  The pad would have to be on the floor as he rolls around a lot in bed.  Of course with a floor alarm, he's already up, but at least he wouldn't get far and there's a carpet in that room.  I've been up checking on him so often that I'm not getting any sleep, and, financially, putting him somewhere isn't a good option.  Thanks in advance for your help.

star26

I'm sorry about your father's decline RobOT.  The baby monitor was effective for me but was terrible for my sleep because I heard absolutely everything, not just when my Dad was getting up (snoring, loud yawning, talking in his sleep, fiddling around with something on the bedstand). I also used a camera so I could investigate a noise without having to get out of bed. The camera was motion activated and could be set to alert me but that also created lots of false-alarm disturbances all night. I never tried the bed alarms or floor mats because my Dad won't keep anything where I put it and would not like it if it made any noise on his end. I also tried to train him to use a urinal, including a glow-in-the-dark one, but he wouldn't do it and insisted on getting up.

harshedbuzz

RobOT-

Neither is ideal.

A baby monitor is going to disturb your sleep and lead to false calls where you respond to the rustling of sheets only to find he's fallen back to sleep. A motion detector allows you to respond once he's up to assist.

A friend had a mom who often woke in the middle of the night and started her day which included all manner of mischief. The mat sent a notification to her cell which allowed her to redirect mom to bed. Her younger son spent a semester at home and often took the first watch until around 2-3am when he handed the phone off to his mom. She had daily help in and often napped then.

HB

M1

Robot, I'm worried you're going to exhaust yourself. Is it possible to get someone to come in at night so you can sleep? Would hospice be any help?

RobOT

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it a LOT.  I'm hoping to get something for agitation that actually works for Dad for agitation--he often has reverse results from drugs that affect the central nervous system.  If not, I'll have to get him in some place.  I don't know if it's the new chaotic norm or that last seven years that's making me so tired.  This has progressed so quickly I'm thinking it may not last long.  Dad's a strong one physically, though.  Thanks again, all.

ResaAnn

Hi.  I did the baby monitor. It woke me and my husband who was not happy.  We switched to the security cameras that you use for outside the home.  I set it on her nightstand.  It only goes off when she gets up or is really restless.  I get a soft ping to my phone.  I use another one in her living room in case of a fall or any other issues.  Best investment ever!