"Help! I've fallen and I can't get up!" I'm thinking I'm in my 70s and live alone and have...

[TreasonousBastard]

already taken a bad fall which didn't (fortunately) end up in injuries. I live in a senior apartment complex that is "senior" largely to get a tax break for not having school kids and it's pretty nice, but no way to tell if everyone in there is OK. There are pull chains for emergencies, but that just turns on a yellow light by the door. I turned it on accidentally and it was on for three days with no one coming by to ask why.

I know of a recent widow in her 80s who lives in a great assisted living place who fell and was not noticed missing for two days.

So, having a button to ask for help is a thought. Part of that thought is that if I could push a button, I could probably manage to get to a phone, and what if I'm unconscious and can't push the button?

They don't make it easy to find their website, and when you do they have a bazillion 5-star ratings saying how great they are. But no prices.

Yelp has another bazillion 1-star reviews with most people saying they wished there were negative stars. "Evil, greedy scumbags ripping us off with obsolete shit that doesn't work half the time..." pretty much sums it up. From what they say, you buy the equipment, maybe spend $250 having it set up, and then 40 bucks a month forever in an unbreakable 3-year contract that may auto renew itself. Even if it doesn't work. And if it does work, only around your house when the phone works.

Anyone have any experience with any of these gadgets? Recommendations?

[htuttle]

1. You could get a smart phone and a 'smart' watch

Like an apple watch, or one of the samsung ones. They both let you make calls from them. I think one of them can act as a phone on it's own.

It would be a lot more reliable than a service with bad Yelp reviews, and a lot more flexible, too.

I'd be surprised if nobody has come up with a health check type phone service yet, where they try to contact you everyday, and if you don't answer, they send someone over. Maybe there should be one.


Just realized that (as a professional software developer) it would take me less than a month to set up a service like this. Sure enough, someone already did. Don't know anything about it, but there are probably more: https://www.iamfine.com/

[Hoyt]

4. Like the healthcheck idea.

[htuttle]

5. That one charges $10 - $14 per month

I've written and run software systems to do automated calling, and a whole month of daily automated calls would cost something like $0.02/day at the most. So it could definitely be done a hell of a lot cheaper. Man, it could practically be supported by online donations.

[TreasonousBastard]

12. That's interesting. I know some churches and other organizations have set up...

similar phones calls among members, with varying success.

If you slip in the tub, though, you still might have to wait until tomorrow for the call.

[PoliticAverse]

2. See this Consumer Reports article for a start...

https://www.consumerreports.org/medical-alert-systems/how-to-choose-a-medical-alert-system/

[TreasonousBastard]

13. Interesting, but I subscribe to CU and don't know how I missed that.

[Zoonart]

3. Most of the NEW medic alert buttons

Have sensors that can automatically relay the alert if you fall, even if you have become unconscious. My mom had one of these.I think there is a life alert type emergency call button available from Wallmart and it is cheaper than the service you described. Also, if you have an Amazon Alexa device it can be programmed to call emergency numbers: call my buddy, text and send an email to as many alert numbers you program in. Hope this helps.
Also call your county office on aging and ask them these questions. I found they were a good resource for me when I was trying to set up services for my parents.

[TreasonousBastard]

14. I'll check WalMart. I already got a cheap but accurate blood sugar meter from them with...

test strips 85% off the price of the Accu-Check ones.

A few minutes later...

Checked the website and they have lots of them, not all of which are in the store but have free shipping or can be picked up.

Amazon has lots of them, too, but for something like this i really don't trust them.

I'll check with the county. And the VA next time I have an appointment.

[elleng]

6. Sorry no very satisfying responses here.

I have a balance issue, getting worse due to a chronic condition, live much of the time alone in an out of the way place, so would like a reliable resource.

[Laffy Kat]

7. I know you can wear some alert buttons around your neck.

Or around your wrist, like a watch, and they are waterproof. Would that be an option? The truth is, independence comes with some risks. I guess people have to constantly weigh those risks as their physical and mental faculties change. We are all going to be there at some point. It does seem like there should be more available.

[safeinOhio]

8. I just got my GF to move in.

Lucky me, she’s an RN.

[3Hotdogs]

9. An iPhone and probably any other smart phone with voice recognition would solve most problems.

Hey Siri, call 911. --- as long as you have signal. Its not gonna recognize when you fall but there may already be an app for that. If not, someone will program one.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

10. Sis has Parkinson's, but her alert system didn't help when she passed out and fell two months ago.

Fortunately, her next-door-neighbor came by to check on her later that day, and found her still unconscious at the top of the stairs. (I dread to think what would have happened had she been on the stairs.) Her neighbor called 911 and my sister was taken to the ER. From there she went to rehab, then assisted living, which, while horribly expensive, ensures she has someone check in on her regularly and help her with the activities of daily living.

When she lived at home and fell about a year ago she didn't push the alert button because she "didn't want to bother anyone."

[dawg day]

11. No wisdom-- but long ago

My grandfather, who was kind of an inventor, created a "call button" for his wife. It was long before electronics, and I'm not really sure how he did it. But she'd had a heart attack, and he wanted her to be able to contact him when he was out working in the garden. (He really loved her. I mean, really.)

And in the end, what do you know. He died first. Just as well. He couldn't have gone on without her. She only lived a year after he died.

But now-- you have your cell phone. Why not get some nice young fella at Verizon or wherever to set up something where you press one button and it calls your emergency contact?

For that matter, as advanced as these phones are, they can probably rig something where if you fall, the phone senses it and calls security. You might call your phone store and ask what might work.

[rami999]

15. app

i recommend an apple watch or samsung gear