Elderly relatives and personal alarms

Horlock

There must be other threads out there, but I've failed sorry.

I want to know is there a manufacturer that makes a reliable but completely free to use personal alarm. Ie single button which dials a series of user defineable phone numbers, preferably after allowing a short amount of time for the owner to cancel leaving a message and keeps on repeating the process until stopped.

I see loads of so called charities doing this for the measly sum of 50p per day etc - but to me this is just ripping off the elderly, there is no reason for any charge whatsoever, it is just a very simple machine. I would have thought someone would make one.

Any ideas? If not any recommendations. I want to provide for loved ones but I don't see a reason to pay the earth.

Mojisola

Horlock wrote: »

I want to know is there a manufacturer that makes a reliable but completely free to use personal alarm. Ie single button which dials a series of user defineable phone numbers, preferably after allowing a short amount of time for the owner to cancel leaving a message and keeps on repeating the process until stopped.

I see loads of so called charities doing this for the measly sum of 50p per day etc - but to me this is just ripping off the elderly, there is no reason for any charge whatsoever, it is just a very simple machine. I would have thought someone would make one.

I don't know of any that do this.

The ones I have experience of phone through to a call centre. The operator then tries to speak to the service user through a loud speaker set-up to find out what the problem is. The operator stays on the line and keeps contact with the user.

If they get a response from the user, depending on the problem they make contact with relatives or the emergency services or vice versa.

If they can't get a response, they usually contact the emergency services first.

When my Dad had need to press his button, I wouldn't have wanted him to wait until someone answered their phone and traveled to his house before getting medical help.

gettingtheresometime

What about a mobile phone?

Agree with Mojisola though - my aunt had an alarm which was very useful when she fell

Keep_pedalling

Charging for a monitored service is not a rip off, and will provide a far superior service than some device programmed to make calls to relatives.

My mother paid for such a service before she moved to residential Apart from her being able to call for help, the system monitored for things like power failure to the alarm unit and failure of the line. She had hers installed via social services, and their assistive technology department were also able to add extras such fall monitoring and pressure pads in her bed, so that if she got up during the night but failed to return to bed within a set time it would trigger an alarm.

Owain_Moneysaver

Horlock wrote: »

I want to know is there a manufacturer that makes a reliable but completely free to use personal alarm. ...
I see loads of so called charities doing this for the measly sum of 50p per day etc.

If the local council offer a careline service this is often the cheapest and best service. There may be a charge to pay to cover the rental of the equipment but this is often means tested so free for many people on benefits.

Or you can buy phones with pendant alarms from disability equipment suppliers, amazon etc. One example.

bunty109

I don't think this is completely free to use system as it requires a SIM, but this might be useful:

https://www.unforgettable.org/personal-alarm-gps-tracker?gclid=CJjBpt7GjtQCFVRAGwodR6AAPg

I've seen this product through work and think it looks quite effective, but agree with others that monitored alarms aren't bad value generally.

Horlock

Thanks all. Really useful.

StaffieTerrier

I got my Mom and a Doro mobile phone which has an emergency button on the outside. You programme it with the numbers you want to contact in case of emergency. Once the button is pressed it sends out text messages until someone responds. It can also be programmed with her doctor's details and the medication that she's on.

Owain_Moneysaver

If eligible, BT also offer a free upgrade to priority care for phoneline repairs.

Not available from other providers, though.

kingfisherblue

StaffieTerrier wrote: »

I got my Mom and a Doro mobile phone which has an emergency button on the outside. You programme it with the numbers you want to contact in case of emergency. Once the button is pressed it sends out text messages until someone responds. It can also be programmed with her doctor's details and the medication that she's on.

This is what my mum has. She isn't at high risk of falls, but at 83 we're taking no chances. She takes it into the bathroom, outside when she feeds the birds, into the front room where she does her jigsaws - everywhere. She has been known to press the button accidentally, but a quick call to her has ascertained that she is ok. If she ever does have a fall, I know that I can get to her fairly quickly. My sister and daughter would take a little longer as they live further away.

It's not a fancy phone, but has larger buttons for easier use, and is a great, low cost alternative to Careline or similar companies. However, I disagree with the OP when they say that there is no need to charge for these services - there is every need. After all, the staff want paying, and the equipment doesn't come free. Services such as this may be the best option for some people. If I didn't live so close to my mum, I would happily pay for it. I live in the next street, though, and speak to her about three times a day, plus see her four or five times a week. Now that we have a dog, my youngest (age 17) pops round at least once a day to see his nan, although he saw her frequently before walking the dog anyway.

Skibunny40

My dad has an OWNFONE - sold by Age UK, who also sell the DORO phone mentioned above.

As far as my dad's concerned, it only has one large button with my name on it. If he presses that button, it automatically calls my mobile and he can speak to me. (There is the option to put four names, or pictures, which all connect to the relevant people and technically I can ring him on it too, but that level of technology is usually beyond him!!) I know he wouldn't press a medical alert button as he wouldn't want to make a fuss/talk to strangers but he will call me - and that's what I want.

It comes with a lanyard and a blue light flashes every 10 seconds or so. My dad wears it under his jumper but Ifind it comforting that if he collapsed in the street, people would notice the light & (hopefully) contact me.

However, it's not the cheapest option - I think I paid £50 for the handset four years ago and £7.50 pm as line rental. In saying that, for the peace of mind it gives me and the security it gives my dad, it's worth every penny and I recommend it to everyone I possibly can!