Best Medical Alert Device (not cellphone based)

[Anonymous]

Need interim solution for out of state 86yo relative. Spouse died last month and surviving relative has mobility issues. He is cognitively fine so far, and he’s not conceding to assisted living yet. I’m hoping that I can get him into AL in the next 2-3 months. He doesn’t use a cellphone. As it is, he gets frustrated with webpage changes / refreshes with his bank and credit card accounts.

A wearable device that can call someone with a click of the button would be ideal.

[Anonymous]

The thing about a wearable is he has to wear it 100% of the time he's out of bed. Will he wear a watch? Maybe this is in the same category as a cell phone, but what about an Apple Watch with cellular service? It has fall detection and can be set up to ask whether you want to make an emergency call with a quick swipe:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208944

Of course that assumes he's conscious.

The reason I suggest an Apple watch is because we went through a similar discussion about my mom, but we determined she wouldn't consistently remember to wear a fall detection device but she will always put on her Apple watch. Maybe there are watchband-based fall detection devices but when we were looking it seemed like they were all lanyard-style.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The thing about a wearable is he has to wear it 100% of the time he's out of bed. Will he wear a watch? Maybe this is in the same category as a cell phone, but what about an Apple Watch with cellular service? It has fall detection and can be set up to ask whether you want to make an emergency call with a quick swipe:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208944

Of course that assumes he's conscious.

The reason I suggest an Apple watch is because we went through a similar discussion about my mom, but we determined she wouldn't consistently remember to wear a fall detection device but she will always put on her Apple watch. Maybe there are watchband-based fall detection devices but when we were looking it seemed like they were all lanyard-style.

Thanks. He actually worked in IT into his 70s and won’t use a cellphone.

Does the Apple Watch work imply by pressing it without scrolling to get to the app? If not it is a no-go option.

He wears a watch and probably wouldn’t want to switch but I’ll offer it up to him.

[Anonymous]

If the watch detects a fall it will give him the swipe to call 911 -- you dont' have to open the app. On the other hand, it doesn't call automatically like one of the services would.

I would see what kinds of form factors the auto-fall companies have. Again, if he forgets to wear it, it does no good. And he may need it once in AL as well -- there are usually emergency pull cords by the bed and in the bathroom, but that doesn't help if he falls in a different room or knocks himself unconscious. So think about something that's feasible longer-term, because no one will have eyes on him all day in AL.

[Anonymous]

Thansk

[Anonymous]

Who do you want him to call when he pushes a button?

[Anonymous]

There are Samsung smartwatches with a physical rotating bezel to move through the menus - maybe that would be more palatable than swiping?

Also look into watches for kids. I got my kid a Sync Up watch from Tmobile and it calls 911 if she holds down a physical button for 3 seconds. It has other limits, such as pre-set text messages, that he might prefer, and will only accept calls from designated numbers. There are other similar products if you don't use Tmobile.

[Anonymous]

What about an alexa type advice that he could instruct to call you or call 911?

[Anonymous]

My parents wear (well, they are supposed to) buttons from Bay Alarm Medical. The buttons can be worn as a necklace or on the wrist (comes with both holders). There is also a 'base' with a help button and a couple extra help buttons I put in the bathroom and bedroom.

If you push the button, it calls the call center and they speak through the base, asking if they need help. If they don't answer, they call a list (which you set up) until someone answers, if no one does they call the emt's.

But the button doesn't call 'me' directly, if say mom wants to call me she uses her phone. It's more for 'I've fallen and I can't get up' situations. It does work, as my parents have caused a few false alarms!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who do you want him to call when he pushes a button?

Emergency services and/or me. Medical Alert does have this.
-OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: My parents wear (well, they are supposed to) buttons from Bay Alarm Medical. The buttons can be worn as a necklace or on the wrist (comes with both holders). There is also a 'base' with a help button and a couple extra help buttons I put in the bathroom and bedroom.

If you push the button, it calls the call center and they speak through the base, asking if they need help. If they don't answer, they call a list (which you set up) until someone answers, if no one does they call the emt's.

But the button doesn't call 'me' directly, if say mom wants to call me she uses her phone. It's more for 'I've fallen and I can't get up' situations. It does work, as my parents have caused a few false alarms!

This is useful. I also called this company and they are a contender. -Op

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are Samsung smartwatches with a physical rotating bezel to move through the menus - maybe that would be more palatable than swiping?

Also look into watches for kids. I got my kid a Sync Up watch from Tmobile and it calls 911 if she holds down a physical button for 3 seconds. It has other limits, such as pre-set text messages, that he might prefer, and will only accept calls from designated numbers. There are other similar products if you don't use Tmobile.

Thanks but no, he wants a simple one step that he comfortable with.

FWIW smart phones like my mom and some of her friends don’t always recognize their finger touches. They swipe and swipe but nothing happens. I witnessed this a few times.

[Anonymous]

I should also say I learned that Bayside and some others have devices that also have fall detection and GPS so that a person can still get help while out and about.