Home Medical Alert system?

[jessmarimba]

If you have old cell phones that you haven't recycled, I believe they're still able to dial 911 even if they're deactivated. So perhaps leaving them strategically around the house might be a temporary solution?

[Catrin]

If you have old cell phones that you haven't recycled, I believe they're still able to dial 911 even if they're deactivated. So perhaps leaving them strategically around the house might be a temporary solution?

Perhaps - but if she falls and can't get to one...perhaps the temporary solution is to just make sure she always has a pocket to put her phone in...

[Trek420]

Does your Mom have any difficulty using the phone? Hearing, mobility, vision? If you need to make the phone itself better this is a good company:

http://shop.clarityproducts.com/

[JennK13]

No matter which route you decide to go, as a former public safety dispatcher, I suggest calling your local 911 agency and having them add a "premise history" to your sister's address. Tell them what medical problems your mom has, where a hidden key is if you have one, info on if there are pets in the house especially if they're aggressive, and contact info for you and your sister. Even if you go with one of those systems that is monitored by an alarm company, call the 911 agency - I can't tell you how many times the alarm company DOESN'T have the information available for the responding units even though they're supposed to.

[Catrin]

This is good information, I will pass it along to my sister. I didn't know that you can provide the local emergency service a "premise history". We are pondering several options right now. Mom does have a significant hearing problem, but as long as she remembers to put in her hearing aids then that isn't much of a problem. As long as she remembers She doesn't have any mobility problems yet, and hopefully for her sake that will be a long-time coming.

Oakleaf and Trek420 thanks for the tips - and thankfully she does have a living will (as do I). I appreciate it everyone!

[rescuealertofca]

The problem with a cell phone is that many times, when a fall happens, the individual can't speak, or articulate their problem. This may lead to emergency services identifying it as a fake call, or an accidental call. Medical Alert Systems allow you to press a button and get help. Another problem with carrying a cell phone is, during a fall a cell phone can easily fall out of a pocket, or break in the fall. The medical alert button is strung around the neck, so its harder to fall out of reach and its durable, making it harder to break in a fall.