Personal Security Systems & Devices

[Windjammer]

My Dad is having some balance issues and worries about falling and not being able to get up by himself. My Mom is concerned about this as well when she goes out and runs a few errands.
I suggested that they get one of the security things that are worn around the neck that they can use if needed. I don't know too much about them but they would have to be waterproof (in case of falling in the shower/tub), and I would want monitoring NOT to be done by some call center in India or Pakistan. Both my sister and I still live in the general area but would take 45 minutes or more to get over there to help out.
Anybody gone through this or a similar situation and care to offer their advice/opinions?

 

[Creekwood]

About 15 years ago we started to pay for one (its now an ADT system) for my wife's grandmother. She was getting older and living on her own in New Brunswick so seemed like a good idea. Not sure where their call center is, but probably does not matter. They call 911 or fire or whatever is needed. THey don't go themselves.

But....... she is now 101 years old. Here is the funny part. In the 15 years, she had a minor heart attack, a small stroke, and she fell and broke her hip. Not once did she press the button. Not once. Each time, she either called a friend or waited till someone came over on their own. When she broke her hip she was going to stay where she fell until she felt better, but a friend was coming over to visit and found her. Sheeeeeesh. Not sure what it will take to have her press that button. But there is no way we can cancel the service.

 

[Stee6043]

These days...I'd get 'em an Apple watch. One with cell service. If they never take it off except to charge they would be covered wherever they go. And they connect directly to emergency services, not a call center. Or they could call you directly for a less urgent situation.

My two cents only.

 

[Gofirstclass]

My MIL is 103 years old and doing fairly well and has one that she wears around her wrist. Same thing as Creekwood's situation, she probably wouldn't think to push the button. We frequently stress to her how it works and what she should do if she falls, but I'm not sure that would happen.

 

[Woody]

I been keeping an eye on my Aunt who going on 97yo. She lived in her own home until 2 years ago. The last several years at home we had a service with a button worn as a necklace or on the wrist like a watch. When pushed the service would try to contact her directly and had a list of emergency numbers they would call. They also, I think monthly, would do a test call to her home base unit. My Aunt was able to hear them anywhere in the house and they could hear her respond. The system only had to be used a time or two in several years. It wasn't expensive and worked when needed.

When she moved into assisted living her habit of wearing a 'button' payed off because the facility gave her their button. If pushed the response must be in 2 minutes or less.

 

[Little Ducky]

Open up an AARP magazine.

I believe there are some locally monitored systems advertised.

 

[bbwhitejr]

My almost 88 year old dad lives at home by himself and is very prone to falling. He got a system a month or so ago. It is through the county where he lives and is like 1/2 of what Life Alert or any of the big companies was. It works within like 300ft of the base unit and when he is home, he is always within that distance.

Bennett