alert alarm for elderly relative

Grumpysally

F.i.L is in hospital temporarily, but with likely hood of further stays. We're worried about MiL being on her own as she is liable to fall.
Have seen the age concern aid call system but seems very expensive, does anyone know of alternatives, also any tips for a quick set up temporary solution. She has a mobile phone but very confused as how to use it.
Thanks.
Alison

Broken_hearted

Contact social sevices and ask them what they would recomend. MY OH was offered a tilt alarm (if he fell the alarm would go off and someone would come to check on him).

verynewmoneysaver

My mother had an alarm supplied by the council. I can't remember how much it cost. I know she paid for it monthly. She wore it around her neck, and there was a box attached to the phone. It made her feel more secure when she was on her own.

Poppy9

Ask to speak to the Hospital Social Worker who can tell you what aids etc are available from the council.

Our council provide a Lifeline to vunerable people. A fob is worn around the neck with a panic button that alerts the control centre. They then either contact a relative/neighbour or emergency services. Used to cost about £35 pa but so many were not paying the invoices that it was no longer cost effective to raise an invoice. It's been free for a couple of years but this may change.

wolfehouse

the companies we recommend in our area are social housing companies which also do alert systems: Bield (alarms) and Hannover.(in glasgow)

there are lots 'on the market' and each has different price of installation (there is a receiver bit) and different payment per month. they also differe a bit on how far a range they cover (outside in the garden or not).
The ones i've seen always give you a choice of pendant or wristwatch type.

I agree, asking social work in your area for a recommendation is a good start but you do have choices.

ask for a full OT assessment of needs when she comes out of hospital. it may take ages to get one but she may get equipment and help free. assessments are prioritised by degree of saftey- how 'at risk' the person is.

In the meantime, if she can remember to push only one button, you could programme a phone with your number on quickdial and she could possibly rig it to hang round her neck (if it's a small light one) -(if you put a sticker or nailpolish on the button she is to press, it might make it easier for her.)

(i have a wheelchair user friend who wears her phone round her neck so i know it is possible)

Amanda65

Ou local council provided one for my Nan and as she was on certain benefits it was free of charge.

jenniferpa

I think these things are a good idea but there are a few things you should be aware of.
1) If the user is at all forgetful they tend not to put them on.
2) Problems with the system can foul up the phone line
3) The user has to know they when they need to use it.

The latter point is particularly important. If the fear is that an elederly person might fall, then obviously they will be aware of the difficulty, but if there is more likelihood of a stroke, the user may be too confused to think of using it.

I found with my own mother that all of the above applied. I do not know whether on any of these systems there is an option available for a watch style call button which is waterproof. If there isn't, there should be. What I'm trying to say is - these systems can give a certain peace of mind, but they have their limitations

Jennifer

Grumpysally

Thanks to all of the above for your advice.

I metioned it to my mum and she reminded me of all the trouble she and my aunty had when they got an alarm for my grandma, she would be forever dropping it, or falling asleep wearing it etc.....
It caused more stress than previously.

Hopefully FiL will be home soon. As a temporary measure we've set her up with a mobile phone with just our numbers in it. Luckily SiL had a really old phone that still worked which is relatively simple to use.

Now that's a subject for another thread, moblie phones that elderly people can use simply, ( or anyone over the age of 35 I suspect)

Poppy9

Alison,

Don't dismiss the alarm completely, depending on circumstances it might be useful. My FIL had one and used it a few times when he fell to alert someone that he needed help. It also gave the MIL freedom to leave him alone for short periods.

Nile

My suggestion will rely on good neighbours living next door.;)

If your elderly relative is in a semi detached or terrraced house (with good neighbours next door), a cheap temporary option is a whistle on a cord. You can buy these for less than £3 at Asda, in the sports equipment aisle.

If you think that the next door neighbour would hear the whistle and respond (you could explain and do a test run), this would help your relative........knowing that someone would hear/respond to their call for help.

It might sound a crazy idea but a school caretaker once told me that a local neighbour complained about netball games in the evening........the umpire's whistle noise was spoiling his peace and quiet inside his home.........some distance away.:rolleyes:

Grumpysally

Poppy9 wrote:

Alison,

Don't dismiss the alarm completely, depending on circumstances it might be useful. My FIL had one and used it a few times when he fell to alert someone that he needed help. It also gave the MIL freedom to leave him alone for short periods.

No Poppy I haven't dissmissed it totally, it's worth considering for future use especailly after yesterday when I had a panick and couldn't get MiL on phone and ended up driving round there half expecting to find her in a heap on the floor. When I got there the house was locked but when I looked through the window it was obvious that she'd actually gone out. I found out later he neice had taken to visit FiL then shopping then home for tea.
Anyway FiL finally coming home today so will give us time to research it properly.
THanks everyone for their advice.