NOTE: LIFELINE is the monitoring system I am considering. Made a mistake in my original statement.

That is a great idea. It would be sad to find parents lying on the floor unable to get up and stuck for hours without help because we had to get groceries or something like that. It is important that they have a life line to help they can get to other than a phone they need to crawl to. Mine has a cell he keeps on him all the time. I hope he can press the emergency button on the front. But it took moving heaven and earth to get that much. Anything more might start a world war. LOL

I was a member of a team caring for a woman during the day and putting her to bed at night. She was ok by herself until time to get up. She had a life alert. One night she fell and broke her neck but did not push the button because she was embarrassed.

Trojan that is so sad. But my mom was the same way. Never wanted to "trouble" anyone. Her IV infiltrated in the hospital, arm swelled up and I had to call the nurse to help - she was afraid to bother them.

A broken neck is what those things are for. I am afraid that is what my dad would do to - lie on the floor until my next visit. I guess we can only do what we can do.

It is sad to hear about the woman who broke her neck and Mom whose arm infiltrated, Emotions are so unpredictable some times.

I can not help wondering if my Mom will take off the call device. For this reason, I like Lifeline. It will sense change in movement patterns and still movement..

It programs itself to recognize daily activity initially.

My Mom is sick of someone under foot all the time. Does not like losing control. I told her wearing one of these may be the only way she can resume a more independent lifestyle.

50 per month and with a coupon free installation of device. Easy to hook up.

Have not found a company offering the falling and no touch call for help this offers. All have a monitor to communicate with or device to be worn to communicate with., I like that feature but still want the other,

I am not only concerned about the not pushing button as you point out but the thinking she has or not sure where to push in a panic.
Also if her heart stops when I am sleeping would rather know than find her in the morning.

This is the hardest job I have ever known.

P

I have to say that Lifeline is worth every penny. Last October my mom got up in the night to adjust the thermostat. Just stood up, and her femur with the artificial hip implant shattered. (Doctor's description.) She went right down and couldn't move. She waited a little bit to see if the pain was going to go away, but obviously didn't, so she pressed the button. It worked just like the TV commercials. She told them she'd fallen and her leg hurt. They called me. I dressed and was at her place in 5 minutes. They had kept talking to mom, and had decided to call the ambulance because she told them she felt a bump on her thigh. Help arrived right behind me. This was 3:00 in the morning. I had an appointment the next AM, so wouldn't have checked on her until afternoon. I hate to think of how long she might have lain there. I'm so glad that we had invested in the service.

You might want to consider putting some cameras in. We did this for mom without her knowing. It works over the wireless router for the computer, no computer necessary on her end. It took about 2 minutes to put them up but you do need a power plug so it took a few minutes to find the best location. Then you can peek in from any computer, even ipad or smart phone. Cost was $100 a camera.

My mom has a life alert button that would call an ambulance but she is afraid to wear it. The case manager reminded her yesterday and she said that too many people push it by accident.....grr. So if the microwave has an emergency it could use the button :) since it is hanging on the kitchen cabinet.

Great idea about the cameras Tigg! Im pretty sure my mom would be one who would not want to press the button!

FYI I had the auto alert signed up if mom was to fall and not be able to push the help button well what happened when mom had what they call a soft landing they are not able to detect those kinds of falls. When mom had a soft landing fall the call did not go through to the response team. When I called them they explained to me it depends on the height of the fall since I paid extra for it and found out that it was not 100percent I chose not to pay for the automatic and went for the manual instead...

God bless

It is a new thing for our folks to remember to activate and incorporate into their routines. I missed getting one years ago to have in place for a pager or something. When my parents might have understood why we needed to practice intervention. At least they work on their memories with reading and crossword.
Nothing will be total and complete in the attempt to watch after them,
I like the camera idea too and want front and back door alarms. Not just for Mom going out but for someone getting in. I need to be alerted especially at night.
So many things we do to help our parents. It is a lot to learn and figure out.

P

Peaceful check with alarm companies. They have great systems that incorporate regular alarm systems with cameras and alert buttons. And you can access all of it from a smart phone or a computer and receive alerts too.

It can get pricey but with all the wireless today the installation is much cheaper.

Tigg..I will look into the Smart PH / security w alert. Peace of mind has no price tag. Not that I am rich but since there is NO recreation or outside trips, vacations, then affording this is possible.

PS. we all know why I am doing only work and home at the moment. But it is not good and the biggest change to make this year.

P