One is a Life Alert that she wears around her neck and can also be switched to a watchband. However, she's so tiny, the band doesn't go small enough. I also recommend having one that is round and smaller. She wouldn't wear the first one because it was so big. She said she refused to wear the 'Cow Bell'!
This system also has a machine that we keep in her living room where she can talk to someone after she presses the button.
Her cell phone is through Lively Link which has a red star on it. She can press that if she forgets that she has a button around her neck. They call one of us or emergency services in case of a fall.
She still reverts to calling us when she falls instead of pressing a button. So perhaps a fall detection system would be better but at least we have covered a few ways to contact us.
Thanks for sharing these details, Janine—really helpful for other readers.
Aww I can imagine how the 'Cow Bell' must be big for your Mom if she's tiny -too funny. These devices can be quite chunky!
Mum and I are both very wary of falls after things with Dad so our decision together was a natural one. I think it's usually one conversation at a time about what's best in terms of wishes and needs. Sounds like you've already been having great discussions.
There are versions of the device we have that has a 'chat with friends and family' and I know some cases where the button is pressed A LOT! ;-)
Thanks for this Victoria. I'm actually in the middle of a caring 'surge' since my mum fell twice last week in 36 hrs, the last one in her bedroom and she couldn't get off the floor. Lay there for 4 hours whilst we waited for the ambulance.....so I haven't alot of time right now, but in short, my mum has had an alarm device on her wrist for many years which she's used only a couple of times and the last time it didn't work! If she presses it, i get called and if i don't answer the call goes to 999.
She's v good at having her phone on her most of the time, so she calls me but its been good to have the alarm too in case she's somewhere like the bathroom.
I would also say that having a key safe outside the house has been essential, for ambulance/doctors/carers to get in. This has been the most useful 'device' for us.
Such good advice, Victoria! The more recent apple watches also have falls detection - not sure how good they are compared to the device you describe, though.
Thanks, Rachel. Yes, I saw that on my watch, but the setup, charging, maintenance and lack of response team make it less user-friendly to the less digitally adept ;-)
It's an excellent point, though. I'll update the article to share my thoughts on why we didn't choose it.
Thank you for sharing this, Victoria. I keep thinking about my father, who refused any such device and how many times he fell and got hurt. It was pretty awful. An alarm would have helped a lot.
My Dad only accepted the alarm for the sake of me and Mum, even with all his health issues, he hated wearing the thing...then it just became an automatic reflex to put it on, as part of the daily routine.
I still have the outside key safe hanging from our doorknob even though she's never alone. It's meant for emergency workers, of course, but it's been a godsend when I've lost or left home without my keys!
🤣 The link on the note only goes to you homepage, not the article I was thinking of...the one when your Mom slept through the whole fire brigade visit!
I had no idea that aides in nursing homes weren't trained/allowed to get people up off the floor...I'm going to quiz our CarersUK forum.
Thanks Jodi, I really value your experience and insights!
Oh, I think I know what you're thinking of but I can't find it. The one where she was on the floor, I covered her and she was asleep when EMTs showed up and slept right through them picking her up and putting her back in bed....I'll look some more later.
Thank you for this detailed information!
My mom currently has two fall devices.
One is a Life Alert that she wears around her neck and can also be switched to a watchband. However, she's so tiny, the band doesn't go small enough. I also recommend having one that is round and smaller. She wouldn't wear the first one because it was so big. She said she refused to wear the 'Cow Bell'!
This system also has a machine that we keep in her living room where she can talk to someone after she presses the button.
Her cell phone is through Lively Link which has a red star on it. She can press that if she forgets that she has a button around her neck. They call one of us or emergency services in case of a fall.
She still reverts to calling us when she falls instead of pressing a button. So perhaps a fall detection system would be better but at least we have covered a few ways to contact us.
Thanks for sharing these details, Janine—really helpful for other readers.
Aww I can imagine how the 'Cow Bell' must be big for your Mom if she's tiny -too funny. These devices can be quite chunky!
Mum and I are both very wary of falls after things with Dad so our decision together was a natural one. I think it's usually one conversation at a time about what's best in terms of wishes and needs. Sounds like you've already been having great discussions.
There are versions of the device we have that has a 'chat with friends and family' and I know some cases where the button is pressed A LOT! ;-)
Thanks for this Victoria. I'm actually in the middle of a caring 'surge' since my mum fell twice last week in 36 hrs, the last one in her bedroom and she couldn't get off the floor. Lay there for 4 hours whilst we waited for the ambulance.....so I haven't alot of time right now, but in short, my mum has had an alarm device on her wrist for many years which she's used only a couple of times and the last time it didn't work! If she presses it, i get called and if i don't answer the call goes to 999.
She's v good at having her phone on her most of the time, so she calls me but its been good to have the alarm too in case she's somewhere like the bathroom.
I would also say that having a key safe outside the house has been essential, for ambulance/doctors/carers to get in. This has been the most useful 'device' for us.
I'm so sorry to hear your Mum's fallen twice. I hate those long waits. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Sending best wishes to you, your Mum and your family.
Such good advice, Victoria! The more recent apple watches also have falls detection - not sure how good they are compared to the device you describe, though.
Thanks, Rachel. Yes, I saw that on my watch, but the setup, charging, maintenance and lack of response team make it less user-friendly to the less digitally adept ;-)
It's an excellent point, though. I'll update the article to share my thoughts on why we didn't choose it.
Thank you for sharing this, Victoria. I keep thinking about my father, who refused any such device and how many times he fell and got hurt. It was pretty awful. An alarm would have helped a lot.
You're very welcome, Sue. I hear you.
My Dad only accepted the alarm for the sake of me and Mum, even with all his health issues, he hated wearing the thing...then it just became an automatic reflex to put it on, as part of the daily routine.
The videos are good primers.
I still have the outside key safe hanging from our doorknob even though she's never alone. It's meant for emergency workers, of course, but it's been a godsend when I've lost or left home without my keys!
🤣 The link on the note only goes to you homepage, not the article I was thinking of...the one when your Mom slept through the whole fire brigade visit!
I had no idea that aides in nursing homes weren't trained/allowed to get people up off the floor...I'm going to quiz our CarersUK forum.
Thanks Jodi, I really value your experience and insights!
Oh, I think I know what you're thinking of but I can't find it. The one where she was on the floor, I covered her and she was asleep when EMTs showed up and slept right through them picking her up and putting her back in bed....I'll look some more later.
Yep exactly that one..no rush, I can update anytime. I just thought it's a great example for others.