Need a panic alarm for elderly parents. Any recommendations please?

xxdeebeexx

Hi I visited my elderly parents yesterday afternoon and when I arrived things seemed a bit unusual. I had a look downstairs but couldn't see anyone so I went down the garden. Unfortunately my elderly dad had fallen and was laying face down on the ground. He simply wasn't strong enough to get himself up again. He was ok but I had to get help to lift him. He had been on the ground for at least 30mins.

In the mean time my mum was fast asleep in bed and was quit unaware that my dad needed help. It was sheer luck that I called in at that time... I am usually a lot earlier.

I feel they need a panic alarm. Can anyone recommend a system that they have personal experience of please? or anyother ideas that might work.

TIA

Dx

elsien

Does your local council offer a lifeline type system? There is the call button you wear round your neck which is linked in to the phone - if the button gets pushed the people on the other end try to get hold of you to see if there is a problem then call the emergency contact number (usually next of kin or a neighbour) or the emergency services, whichever is most appropriate.
You have to pay for it, but for the peace of mind it's well worth it. My grandmother hated the idea at first, but now wouldn't be without it. The council also do the repairs if it breaks. Not sure which dept you'd contact, but I'd give them a ring as a starting point.

xxdeebeexx

Thanks so much. I contacted Age Concern today as they offer a system similar to your description. I took down all the details and mentioned it to my parents this evening. They seemed quite against the idea. Dad thought he might be better off with a mobile phone but he doesn't know how to use one!

I expect it will take a while for them to get used to the idea.

Dx

jessie18

Sorry to hear about your fathers fall, it must have been such a shock for you to find him like that, i do hope hes o.k now. As already suggested i would definitely recomend this, my mother has a careline and it has proved peace of mind for both myself and my mother. It was accidently pressed once and immediately the lady at the other end was asking if my mother was alright. It did take her a little while to get used to it but she said she wouldnt want to be be without it now. She takes it in the garden with her also as she can wear it around her neck, i think its like anything new it just takes a while to get used to. Best wishes x

Mojisola

A mobile phone isn't a substitute. When you've just had a fall, pulling out a phone and trying to ring someone - who may not be there to answer it - just isn't on. Pressing a button that you know will summon help is far more reassuring - for relatives as well as the person themselves.

Most people hate the idea at first because it's another example of their own decline and increasing reliance on other people. Mum's OT turns that around and stresses that all these aids actually allow you to live independently for longer.

Money_maker

Lifelines are really a must for the elderley in your parents position. There have been numerous cases of accidents in the home (ie. falling on way to toilet in the middle of the night) where people have spent hours on the floor. You could also sell it as a security tool - you can ask the operator to summon the police, family member or ambulance.
Prof
BTW, my dad cant use a mobile either!! Then you have the risk of reception difficulties, low battery etc. Professional care companies always recommend the lifeline system.

belfastgirl23

the careline thing is really good. My grandmother had it and used to sit on it regularly :rolleyes: and they would phone just to make sure she was ok. They were always lovely and had a bit of a laugh with her about how she'd done it again. It was a real reassurance for her and for us.

Difficult though if your dad doesn't want to give in to it. Could you ask him to do it for you to stop you worrying, even if he doesn't really need it? That might work better than telling him he does need it if he feels he doesn't.

floss2

Maybe they would accept the idea if you could ask someone to visit (with you present) and demonstrate it to them? Your Council will have a system you can rent that has 24 hour cover.

elsien

My grandmother kept taking hers off to start with - too embarrassed by the disembodied voice that was talking to her when she kept pressing it whilst slicing bread. She was eventually persuaded when a neighbour fell and broke her hip, wasn't found for hours and ended up in a home ( gran's worst nightmare.)

Perhaps it might help your parents accept it if you told them that people weren't going to come whizzing out for the slightest thing. For example when your dad fell in the garden, lifeline could have woken your mum up and she could have then decided if she needed someone out or not. It really is as much peace of mind as practical help, except in emergencies.
Good luck, anyway.

mazza111

It's hard to get the right balance at times. I used to work in sheltered housing and most of the companies are very reputable. However there is one that I would avoid at all costs. One of our residents had a fall and broke her hip in the bathroom, kept pressing her button, because they couldn't hear her response they left it. She had called (pushed the button in excess of 20 times) and was left on the floor for 8 hrs until staff came back on site in the morning. It made me so mad as I was on call and could have been there in 5 mins. Needless to say we cancelled the contract with them and went elsewhere. So just make sure you ask the question about what they would do if they didn't receive an answer from your parents.

Errata

I can understand older people being reluctant to have an alarm system; it confronts them with their own mortality and all the 'what ifs' , and that's hard.
I have a LA system which in 7 years has only been set off accidentally - usually workmen.
I hope I never have to use it, but it's there in case I do just like the house and contents insurance are there in case I need them.