Panic Button

jonny2510

I am writing this post on behalf of my Grandma, who has recently had a fall.

We are all a bit worried, and want to ensure that if it ever happens in the future, she won't be left alone until someone next visits.

I believe that you can get a panic button that is either attached to a necklace, or worn on the wrist, so that should you ever have a fall, you press the button, and the emergency services are notified.

Does anyone know who offers such a service, or how much it might cost.

I think I have seen them in the past (it's a big red button if I remember correctly).

Can anyone offer any advice

lolly-i-pop

Your local council should offer a service like this, although it does not contact the emergency services. In general, they will first try to contact specific local contacts who hold keys to the property, i.e. neighbours or relatives. However, you can pay extra for a member of staff from the scheme to be the 'on call person' so to speak. I would reccomend getting the one run by your local council, rather than private ones (I work in health care and often am involved in lifeline applications).

You can either buy the equipment or rent it. It costs between 2 - 5 pounds per week i think (roughly).

I would reccomend getting in touch with your local council and investigating a little more. Also, if you think your relative may fall over and not be able to press the button, there is other equipment available, such as fall detectors, bed and chair sensors etc.

Hope that helps!

funguy

Excellent post above.
Essentially 2 ways to get a pendant alarm....

1) via Social Work.....this is a button that will alert social services if it is pressed - they will usually call patient back on a loudspeaker in the house to try and assess the situation. If there is no response, it is likely they will pop round or alert a family member to attend (depending on the service/payment in place).

2) You can buy similar systems that plug into your telephon line. when the button is pressed, it will automatically dial your or any other family/neighbour's number so that they can respond. These are usually widely available and suitable if social work one will take time or not appropriate.

As in above post there are lots of other home security devices that could also help depending on the situation.

Hope that helps.

Savvy_Sue

You'll probably find what you want by googling Careline plus your local area. But Social Services could be asked to give an assessment: my parents have recently had extra grab rails installed, and a bath seat, to make life easier. I believe these were at no charge: they are resisting the Careline with all sorts of excuses, but I think it's that they don't want to pay for it.

seven-day-weekend

You will also probably find, that like both my mother and my mother-in-law, the old person won't wear it in case they 'set it off accidentally'. My m-i-l's was always in a drawer near her bed and my mum's was always in the kitchen.

Some strong talking to your Gran required!!

monkeyspanner

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

You will also probably find, that like both my mother and my mother-in-law, the old person won't wear it in case they 'set it off accidentally'. My m-i-l's was always in a drawer near her bed and my mum's was always in the kitchen.

Some strong talking to your Gran required!!

Second that thought, my MIL had a system for years and never used it even when she had falls and had it with her. She didn't want "to bother anyone". But certainly worth a try.

jonny2510

Thanks for all the replies. I'll take a further look into them

terrierlady

my friend has a bracelet design and also a pendant, what about a mobile phone in her pocket with speed dial

lolly-i-pop

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

You will also probably find, that like both my mother and my mother-in-law, the old person won't wear it in case they 'set it off accidentally'. My m-i-l's was always in a drawer near her bed and my mum's was always in the kitchen.

Some strong talking to your Gran required!!

This is why telecare fall detectors are great. They clip onto the waist band of trousers / skirt, and detect when the person is horizontal. Can be fooled when the person goes to bed and forgets to take it off, or slouches down too much in their chair. Also, very easy to forget to put it on!

Farway

lolly-i-pop wrote: »

Your local council should offer a service like this, although it does not contact the emergency services. In general, they will first try to contact specific local contacts who hold keys to the property, i.e. neighbours or relatives. However, you can pay extra for a member of staff from the scheme to be the 'on call person' so to speak. I would reccomend getting the one run by your local council, rather than private ones (I work in health care and often am involved in lifeline applications).

You can either buy the equipment or rent it. It costs between 2 - 5 pounds per week i think (roughly).

I would reccomend getting in touch with your local council and investigating a little more. Also, if you think your relative may fall over and not be able to press the button, there is other equipment available, such as fall detectors, bed and chair sensors etc.

Hope that helps!

This does depend on local council, my mother's one [Wiltshire] never had such a service & it had to be farmed out to private company, no choice on the matter, and no "buy in" to get a staff member to call either, I phoned the social when my mother had messed the bed one night, they let her lie in it all that night until normal carer called in morning

I live over 70 miles away before you ask why I never went

fredsnail

My Grandfather had an Age Concern one.

He rarely wore it - but thankfully when he fell and broke his hip he was actually wearing it and used it so we were there within 20 mins.

These are a great idea - but the main problem is to get them to use them - normally they are put on the table or in the draw, they aren't worn in the shower even though they're waterproof.

Good luck.

fs