Medical alert services for the elderly

[StevenYoo]

My 64-year old father came up to me today wanting to find more information about Life Alert (the "I've fallen and I can't get up!" people).

I did some googling and found that many people have negative things to say about the company.

Other companies offering medical alert services for the elderly exist, but there's no good resource that compiles them all and looks at them.

So ATOT, who has any experience with these medical alert companies?

Can anyone make any solid recommendations?

thanks

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

My own experience with Life Alert for my parents was very positive. They had a remote box in the bedroom and one in the living room just off the kitchen. When the button you wear is pushed, a representative immediately asks through the remote if anything is wrong. If no response is given or a confused response is given, paramedics are sent. They don't mind if you accidentally push the button. It gave a great deal of peace of mind to both my parents.

 

[StevenYoo]

Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer
My own experience with Life Alert for my parents was very positive. They had a remote box in the bedroom and one in the living room just off the kitchen. When the button you wear is pushed, a representative immediately asks through the remote if anything is wrong. If no response is given or a confused response is given, paramedics are sent. They don't mind if you accidentally push the button. It gave a great deal of peace of mind to both my parents.

good to know, thanks.

In what city do your parents live?

 

[Barfo]

no

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

They used to live in Green Valley, Arizona. They both passed away some time ago.

 

[BoomerD]

http://www.adt.com/for_your_ho...s/home_health_security

http://www.monitronics.com/HOM.../tabid/64/Default.aspx


We had ADT for several years for our house alarm system and were happy with the service.

Our city changed the alarm system requirements just about the time our contract ran out, so when Monitronics came to the door "bearing gifts" of lots of free add-ons to our existing system, PLUS compliance with the new laws...we switched.

Monitronics alarm service is comparable to that of ADT, (usually less than 30 seconds after I fuck up and set off the alarm) :roll: but ADT's customer service was much better. Monitronics seems MUCH slower to respond to customer complaints, and scheduling a repair tech is often a tedious process.

My contract expires this summer...we'll see who gets the next contract.

 

[racolvin]

Interesting topic ... I'll have to look into this sort of thing in the not too distant future for my mom I'm sure

 

[ViviTheMage]

carry a cellphone??? + speed dials = long life.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
carry a cellphone??? + speed dials = long life.

Most cellphones have small keys/numbers and are viewed by many elderly people as too complicated. A simple dedicated device with one button is much easier to get someone to use.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
carry a cellphone??? + speed dials = long life.

Most cellphones have small keys/numbers and are viewed by many elderly people as too complicated. A simple dedicated device with one button is much easier to get someone to use.

very true.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Whatever you do, include a list of current medications, allergies, recent hospitalizations, & medical conditions on the refrigerator or in a conspicuous place (where they keep their meds, for example). This will help guarantee EMS has the info they need when they get on scene. Heck, you could even include a set of their baseline vital signs (namely heart rate & blood pressure) while you're at it. Emergency contact info on the same sheet isn't a bad idea as well.

 

[Newbian]

Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
carry a cellphone??? + speed dials = long life.

Most cellphones have small keys/numbers and are viewed by many elderly people as too complicated. A simple dedicated device with one button is much easier to get someone to use.

Starts singing the jitterbug song.

 

[eplebnista]

This is so 🙁 .

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
Whatever you do, include a list of current medications, allergies, recent hospitalizations, & medical conditions on the refrigerator or in a conspicuous place (where they keep their meds, for example). This will help guarantee EMS has the info they need when they get on scene. Heck, you could even include a set of their baseline vital signs (namely heart rate & blood pressure) while you're at it. Emergency contact info on the same sheet isn't a bad idea as well.

One of the services offered by Life Alert is to transmit that info to the paramedics when they are called. Notification of friends/relatives can also be arranged for.