My mom (74) had a stroke over the Christmas holidays. After a week of getting stabilized and determining the extent of her limitations, we’ve decided we need to get her some sort of non-network medical alert so she can summon my dad when needed.
As is (apparently) typical, the stroke seemed to remove or limit her abilities capriciously. Luckily, she’s still very aware and bright, and even capable of getting obscure humor, irony etc. But she seems to have lost the ability to deal with numbers. She can walk, talk (haltingly) and take care of her own wardrobe, bath needs etc., but she is completely stymied by calendars, numbers, written numerals, and phones. She is all but incapable of dialing a phone (cell or otherwise). Likewise, ovens, kitchen appliances and TV remotes are proving a challenge, and she gets confused trying to locate things.
My dad is completely healthy and able to take care of her, but we need to provide her with a capability to summon him when needed via something extremely simple to operate. We have no need of a LifeAlert system to summon outside help, just the ability to alert him (say, at the far end of the yard or in the basement). Ideally a pendant with a single button which could illuminate a light, or sound a buzzer. Upon being signaled, he could activate the intercom (still being installed) and simply ask her what’s needed.
Is anyone aware of a system like this? Or have any ideas on how to re-purpose something else to get the same capability? Any ideas are welcome (it’s been a rough holiday for us).
Cell phones designed for children, like the Verizon Migo (which I’ve randomly Googled for) could be a solution. It would address the in-house needs, allow him to go to the store or wherever without worrying and you could program alternate phone numbers (like yours, or her doctor’s) if needed. The big “emergency” button is programmable, so that one could call her husband while 1-4 were backups in the order that you’d like her to call them in.
It would require paying for a calling plan, though, which isn’t what you’re looking for but it might just suit more of your needs than you currently realize so I’m throwing it out there. If your dad has a cell phone plan already, adding on something like this might be really cheap.
Otherwise, walkie-talkies seem like the best option. Check their ranges…some are terrible at big distances or through walls. For your needs, I’d consider looking at the brands that people like to use on cruise ships…if you can talk from one end of the Oasis of the Seas to the other, I’m sure it will be sufficient for your parent’s yard!
Some special Senior shops (might be only online?) have special telephones with big plastic buttons in which pictures of the persons are placed (pre-programmed numbers) esp. for seniors who have trouble with names or numbers.
Victoria Lifeline. She wears a button around her neck and there is a call box that you put nearby. If she needs help, she pushes either the button on the pendant, or the one on the call box. A nice person will then come over the call box and ask what she needs (family member or ambulance).
This one is simply an answering-machine-like device that is triggered by squeezing a button on a pendant the senior can wear. When triggered, it simply steps thru a 4 number calling list and plays a pre-recorded message to whoever answers. The message asks the receiver to press a code which will stop the calling sequence (this way it continues calling if it encounters a machine). The user picks which 4 numbers are to be called, and presumably the last one could be 911.
Thanks for your suggestions everyone; I figured I’d post this one in case anyone else following the thread needed the info.
one real quick easy solution:
get a doorbell! (seriously…)
A remote-control doorbell, with a little hand-held button that can easily be carried in a pocket, or even worn on the wrist like a watch.
The bell can be set loud enough to hear it anywhere in the house or yard.
My family has used this system for an elderly couple where one was healthy enough to care for the other. It’s an easy way to call for attention when you need it from the caregiver.
any hardware store will have a remote control doorbell, like this one for $10.
In my experience, I’ve found that giving my elderly mother her own medical alarm at least gave me peace of mind in the moments that I was not able to be there for them. That way, they could get emergency help if needed, just by pushing a button and nothing else. Anyways, I find every little bit helps. Best of luck to everyone in their search.
A slightly-belated thank you to pullin for this thread. I am in the same boat, charged with researching for an alert device for my mother.
The industry seems to be a mine-field of fake reviews and recommendations, hidden prices, and a general willingness to scam the elderly. Also, garish websites.
So it was nice to see some info from someone who I know is a real person, pullin. Not a shill (liannb34, I’m looking at you).
Why thank you, Parenchyma. (I spelled that all by myself, without looking twice.:))
Mom started improving slightly and dad asked me to wait before buying the alert device. It turns out she got to the point where she can manage phone numbers (and can contact dad if needed). She’s far from independent, but we didn’t buy the device above, since it seems she’s OK without it.
I’m sorry I don’t have any feedback on that alert system to report. I’m just glad Mom improved some. She’s still having trouble with fine motor skills (like utensils) but they are now even going out to eat (pizza or burgers… non-utensil stuff).
I’m hopeful things may improve a little still. The docs are optimistic.
Wishing you the best with your mom. If I encounter anything helpful I’ll post it on the board.
