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 Expert
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Location: Wild Wild West | My mom fell and broke her hip. She lives alone. When she gets home from rehap I want to get her a life alert button. I would like opinions of which ones to get, good or bad of anyone experiences, please. Thank you. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1119
| I'm not much help, but I know my grandma has one. The only problem is she refuses to use it. She broke her hip in December shoveling snow (she's 85!) and she laid in her driveway until someone found her instead of just pushing the button because she didn't want to go to the hospital. So, I guess my only advice is, make sure she'll actually use what you get her! |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
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| MissouriJen - 2015-04-16 9:59 AM
I'm not much help, but I know my grandma has one. The only problem is she refuses to use it. She broke her hip in December shoveling snow (she's 85!) and she laid in her driveway until someone found her instead of just pushing the button because she didn't want to go to the hospital. So, I guess my only advice is, make sure she'll actually use what you get her!
My dad was the EXACT same way! About DIED of a bleeding ulcer and would NOT press the button because he didn't want a "scene." I asked him what the button was for and he said, "an emergency," LOL |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| PS,
I think they have some that can "sense" a fall and will go off on their own. You might check into those if there's any doubt on her pressing the button. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 617
| Get one or something similar for sure! I'm on the rescue squad and you wouldn't believe how many times people could have used these! I could tell you horror stories on people being on the floor for days because no one came to check on them and they couldn't call someone. when we are dispatched for someone with life alert, its something like life alert activated injuries unknown, because if they cant contact the person they automatically call rescue in our area. Sometimes we get called and it was an accident they didnt mean to push the button. If that happens its not a big deal. I speak for where I live at least. Good investment :)
Edited by cn1705 2015-04-16 11:15 AM
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| cn1705 - 2015-04-16 11:13 AM
Get one or something similar for sure! I'm on the rescue squad and you wouldn't believe how many times people could have used these! I could tell you horror stories on people being on the floor for days because no one came to check on them and they couldn't call someone. when we are dispatched for someone with life alert, its something like life alert activated injuries unknown, because if they cant contact the person they automatically call rescue in our area. Sometimes we get called and it was an accident they didnt mean to push the button. If that happens its not a big deal. I speak for where I live at least. Good investment :)
My BF's mom laid on the floor for 2 days, she had fallen - would NOT wear a life alert. She was rushed to the hospital where she died due to kidney failure from her body shutting down due to laying there that long. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 356
| I can't remember the name of it for the life of me, but my grandma had one that had a programmed call list. Rather than immediately calling a stranger at a help center or 911, it would go through a pre-programmed list that included my aunt's home number and cell number, my mom's home and cell numbers, another one of my aunts, etc. If it didn't get an answer, it would go to the next number and I believe it would call 911 if none of the programmed contacts could be reached. |
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Location: Texas | k.maddocks24 - 2015-04-16 11:39 AM I can't remember the name of it for the life of me, but my grandma had one that had a programmed call list. Rather than immediately calling a stranger at a help center or 911, it would go through a pre-programmed list that included my aunt's home number and cell number, my mom's home and cell numbers, another one of my aunts, etc. If it didn't get an answer, it would go to the next number and I believe it would call 911 if none of the programmed contacts could be reached.
My aunt has one, not sure of the name, and it does something similar. It calls her 3 "contacts" and 911. She doesn't have to talk to anyone, an ambulance is automatically dispatched and an automated message is played when her contacts answer.
It has been very helpful both times she had minor stokes and her heart attack. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 356
| EqualRanch - 2015-04-16 12:44 PM
k.maddocks24 - 2015-04-16 11:39 AM I can't remember the name of it for the life of me, but my grandma had one that had a programmed call list. Rather than immediately calling a stranger at a help center or 911, it would go through a pre-programmed list that included my aunt's home number and cell number, my mom's home and cell numbers, another one of my aunts, etc. If it didn't get an answer, it would go to the next number and I believe it would call 911 if none of the programmed contacts could be reached.
My aunt has one, not sure of the name, and it does something similar. It calls her 3 "contacts" and 911. She doesn't have to talk to anyone, an ambulance is automatically dispatched and an automated message is played when her contacts answer.
It has been very helpful both times she had minor stokes and her heart attack.
I know my grandma preferred that very much, rather than having the ambulance be the first thing sent! We were lucky that the few times she did fall, she didn't injure herself and just needed a hand up - and thanks to the way that system was set up, it was one of her children who came to help her up, rather than a stranger with the emergency service. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1898
| k.maddocks24 - 2015-04-16 11:39 AM
I can't remember the name of it for the life of me, but my grandma had one that had a programmed call list. Rather than immediately calling a stranger at a help center or 911, it would go through a pre-programmed list that included my aunt's home number and cell number, my mom's home and cell numbers, another one of my aunts, etc. If it didn't get an answer, it would go to the next number and I believe it would call 911 if none of the programmed contacts could be reached.
My grandmother had one of these too, but she would NEVER press the button. She didn't want to inconvenience anyone. We tried to explain that it was a much bigger inconvenience for her to lay on the floor until someone found her.
I would still invest in one however. Who knows, maybe she wont be as stubborn!
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Regular
Posts: 59
| i got life alert for my mother inlaw just a month ago they first tryed to sell me one that was 99 dollers a month and 199 to install when i told them i was going to shop around they then told me about one that was 49 dollers and 99 to install so just make them give you options i think it is a good thing to have |
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 Expert
Posts: 1384
Location: Kansas | Talk to the socail worker at the rehab facility. She should be able to recommend the popular ones and the ones to avoid.
Sorry to hear about your mother.
When she gets home call her every morning, afternoon and evening. Even if you have nothing to say, make up something so she doesn't think you ar checking up on her. |
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 Horsezips Number One Fan
Posts: 3519
Location: on a horse | k.maddocks24 - 2015-04-16 11:39 AM
I can't remember the name of it for the life of me, but my grandma had one that had a programmed call list. Rather than immediately calling a stranger at a help center or 911, it would go through a pre-programmed list that included my aunt's home number and cell number, my mom's home and cell numbers, another one of my aunts, etc. If it didn't get an answer, it would go to the next number and I believe it would call 911 if none of the programmed contacts could be reached.
That was like the one my mom had, she could have died before they actually got someone there! They go down the list of names, a total waste of $$ to me |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 830
Location: Paradise , tx | My mom has a Life Alert and it has be wonderful. My sister and I both live an hour away from her. She has fell a couple of times because she has a leg that is damaged and will never be ok because of a wreck years ago. She uses a walker. Thank goodness
she has a life alert. No telling what would have happened if not for the Life Alert.
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