Medical Alert System?

[CatTwentyTwo]

We have just started looking into getting one of these units for my mother. Most of the systems have a central call center that is contacted when the alarm button is pushed. The operator then starts either calling the predetermined numbers on the clients contact list or 911 depending on the emergency. Another system does not use a call center but will start calling up to 4 preprogrammed numbers when the alarm button is pushed ending with 911 if one of the first 3 contacts does not answer. Also, the alarm button can be worn on the wrist or around the neck. We were thinking that on the wrist would be more convenient, but some of the companies advise against that. Their thinking is that if it is on the left and the person has a stroke that effects the right side, the person might not be able to use the button.
I would sure appreciate any advice, thoughts or recommendations from anyone has had experience with these types of services.

Thanks
Randy

 

[arboldt]

Re: Medical Alert System?

I'd follow their recommendations.

My mother has one of those, but she keeps the clicker on the arm of her wheelchair. That way, when she falls, she can't reach the button.

She tried the wrist-watch kind, but kept bumping it on the arm of her wheelchair, so went back to the necklace type.

A coworker's mother had the type of service where, if she pressed the button, they would first respond via radio / open phone line to her apartment -- so if she had fallen, they could talk to her and she wouldn't need to physically get to a phone. That really worked well for her. We tried to convince my mother to get that type, but since it costs $20 - $30 per month, she wouldn't.

A couple times she's fallen and refused to push the emergency button. She says if she does they scramble ambulance, police, and fire trucks, so instead a couple times she's laid on the floor a few hours until a neighbor looks in on her. But even then she refuses to get the other kind of service. What're ya gonna do? I'm 700 miles from her.

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: Medical Alert System?

I would opt for the second suggestion, where the center makes audible communication with the client. both assuring response and appropriateness of response. If mom objects to cost, I would just pay it my self and tell her medicare took care of it or what ever would make her happy. Its your comfort too.
Contact her local hospital social service department, they may have service provider that they are comfortable with.

 

[flycaster]

Re: Medical Alert System?

A couple times she's fallen and refused to push the emergency button. She says if she does they scramble ambulance, police, and fire trucks, .

My sister and I had a hard time convincing my father to get one of the alerts.
He finally got one and when he would snooze in his chair, he would fold his arms and would depress the alert button. The response back from the company, on the phone would startle him awake and he would tell them it was an accident.
When he needed help, he did not use the alarm. I think he bought it to shut us children up.
When he could have used it, he was having mini-strokes and was sitting in his easy chair. I think he was waiting and hoping his time was near and he would not have to bother his children by him being taken to the hospital. We were living 600 miles and 1200 miles away at the time.
He was discovered by a young lady who was his waitress at a local eatery, who looked in on him every day. She approached the house and saw him get up out of the chair and then fall to the floor. She called me and I told her to call 911 and send him to the hospital.
I traveled to his home and visited him in the hospital and a week later at a nursing home. When ever he saw my wife and I approach him he would cover the side of his face and turn away from us. This told me that he didn't want us to see him in his final decline.
It is a very tough decision to make for your parents and they will prevail to the end.

 

[CatTwentyTwo]

Re: Medical Alert System?

Thanks for the reply's, it sounds like the manned call center is the way to go. It would probably be reassuring for my mother to be able to talk to someone right away if she needs help. waja, that is a great idea about contacting the hospital for a reference. I have been researching these services online but just keep getting more confused with the competing claims. arbolt, oh my gosh, I think that we might be related because you are describing my mother to a tee. As stubborn and independent as the day is long. She has never wanted to "bother" us, even though we only live next door and can be there in a minute. My wife and I used to get so frustrated that we could just scream. It was one of my mothers friends that made the suggestion about these alarms and for some reason that made it much easier for her to accept as a good idea and something that she would be willing to use.

Thanks again for the advice.
Randy

 

[aspeck]

Re: Medical Alert System?

Definitely the manned call center with 2 way communication is the way to go. My FIL's also measures inactivity and if there is extended inactivity at an unusual time they will call "just to check on things and their equipment" so that Pap doesn't think he is being watched to closely. They have been great at keeping us informed and calling us immediately while talking with Pap and diagnosing if an Ambulance is necessary or if it can wait till one of the kids gets there. The cost of $30 per month is worth the peace of mind it gives us all. Pap didn't want to spend the money ... so we got it for him. Case closed. He reluctantly wears it, but would never wear one around the neck, so wrist it is.

 

[Lucky Penny]

Re: Medical Alert System?

As a Paramedic, I can tell you without reservation get the neckless. Also, if you use a non-service center system have 911 as the second number. And as a last thought, for a few dollars extra you can get one with an "inactivity" alert. This can be programed for 12 or 24 hours. If taken off there is a disable button on the back, but if the patient become unconscious the alarm will go automatic. it is just a motion sensor added to the charm.
I would rather respond to 50 false alarms than 1 "too late" call. So, get it and use it....

 

[jevery]

Re: Medical Alert System?

For those with good cognition and capable of dialing the Jitterbug cell phones could be a viable option. They?re very easy to operate and plans are as little as $10 month plus minutes. A concerned Son or Daughter could easily check in anytime and the phone would be easy to carry in one of the organizer aprons or basket on the front of a walker. My Parents recently got one and love it. Also used cell phones without current service will still dial 911 for those on a budget. Free emergency communication as long a one has the charger. Many municipal fire depts. collect old cell phones for this purpose.

Here's something that can help to prevent falls for those that have to walk to the curbside to retreive their mail. The postal service will deliver mail to an approved box on the porch if the proper postal service forms are signed by their physicain and submitted to the post office that delivers the route.

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Medical Alert System?

My only thought is, what's the difference between that and a cell phone? Besides the fact that the medical alert thing is less useful and probably costs about the same since it's likely overpriced since it's marketed specifically toward medical emergencies, after all, you'll feel like a bastard if you aren't willing to shell out any amount of money for the wellbeing of your loved ones... nevermind the fact that it's still less useful even at that task, than a cellphone.

 

[arboldt]

Re: Medical Alert System?

Much depends on the individuals and their status.

A cell phone is no value if the can't use it. When my father had his stroke, he couldn't manipulate the phone or even talk. Somehow, he woke Mom up and she dialed 911. It was a long recovery for him, and he died 1 1/2 years later from other causes.

Yes, Mom prizes her independence, even though she's wheel-chair bound. She lives in a retirement apartment building, and they check if there's no activity at least once a day. The building owners are introducing some home health services (residents used to have to contract with an outside agency). When she first moved in, residents had to be capable of independent living.

We've tried reasoning with Mom. "OK, you refuse to consider assisted living. OK, so how do we make it work so you can stay here?" One sister lives about 4 miles away -- but she's a tour guide and is often out of the state, so it's not a perfect solution.

This is the conundrum for many of us with a parent in their 80's. There's no way we will force Mom to something against her will, but trying to convince her it's a good thing is difficult to say the least. Even her doctor has tried to tell her she must make some adaptations, but Mom is adamant. So far, I've had a small degree of success with the approach of asking how we can make what she want to work.

I certainly don't want to get to a point of debating if quality of life is more important than quantity -- we're not to that point yet. Although if my brother or I had any hair left, we'd be pulling it out.

Al

 

[CatTwentyTwo]

Re: Medical Alert System?

My wife and I have the Jitterbug, but we don't think that a cell phone would be a good solution for some of the reasons mentioned. Our family has decided that the call center type service with the neck pendant is the way to go for us. We were not aware of the inactivity feature and will ask about it. If anyone has the name of a service provider that they are happy with, we would sure appreciate a PM.
And again, thanks to everyone for your time.

Randy

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Medical Alert System?

A lot of home security systems can add medical alerting. You can install your own for not very much money and then you get the benefit of security monitoring, fire monitoring, and medical alerting.

Fire monitoring is the most important part for me but you can also get the necklace style medial alert button you're looking for.

I think we pay maybe $9/month for the monitoring - I can PM you the information on the company if you're interested but I wouldn't feel right posting it I guess...

The monitoring station will call whoever/whenever you want. You can set it so that if they get a medical alert they call 911 first and then you second - or the other way around.

Google "Simon 3" or "Simon XT". Both are good systems for what you want to do. Also, you can configure those systems to call you after the monitoring company and then you can activate a "speaker phone" of sorts on the system so that you can immediately speak with your mother so she knows that help is coming.