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Science Forum Index » Medicine - Nursing Forum » Wireless Alarm for Elderly Patient
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| Will |
 Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 10:37 pm |
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Guest
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My elderly father has unfortunately started to fall a lot, and we have a
concern about his not being able to get back up on his own safely. Does
any vendor make a pendant or device that can be worn like a wristwatch that
could be used by an elderly patient if he has fallen or needs help? As a
practical matter, we can't seem to get him to remember to keep his cell
phone with him. I've seen devices that will summon an ambulance, but that
is not our requirement. Maybe someone makes a wristwatch cell phone?
What is some recommended therapy / exercise to help an elderly person regain
leg strength and balance? I'm going to talk to his cardiologist about
doing some low intensity weight workouts for his leg strength, but his
having a weak heart doesn't help matters here.
--
Will |
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| Guest |
| Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 4:58 am |
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I just did a quick search using "elderly safety" and came up with several
such devices
one made by Medic Alert and another called Rescue Alert....it looked like
they were worn around the neck,,,I assume they gave direct call to 911
you may want to start with a search..
goodluck
"Will" <westes-usc@noemail.nospam> wrote in message
news:ff2dnagy-f21Fe7YnZ2dnUVZ_uCdnZ2d@giganews.com...
Quote: My elderly father has unfortunately started to fall a lot, and we have a
concern about his not being able to get back up on his own safely. Does
any vendor make a pendant or device that can be worn like a wristwatch
that
could be used by an elderly patient if he has fallen or needs help? As
a
practical matter, we can't seem to get him to remember to keep his cell
phone with him. I've seen devices that will summon an ambulance, but
that
is not our requirement. Maybe someone makes a wristwatch cell phone?
What is some recommended therapy / exercise to help an elderly person
regain
leg strength and balance? I'm going to talk to his cardiologist about
doing some low intensity weight workouts for his leg strength, but his
having a weak heart doesn't help matters here.
--
Will
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| Norminn |
| Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 7:06 am |
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Will wrote:
Quote: My elderly father has unfortunately started to fall a lot, and we have a
concern about his not being able to get back up on his own safely. Does
any vendor make a pendant or device that can be worn like a wristwatch that
could be used by an elderly patient if he has fallen or needs help? As a
practical matter, we can't seem to get him to remember to keep his cell
phone with him. I've seen devices that will summon an ambulance, but that
is not our requirement. Maybe someone makes a wristwatch cell phone?
What is some recommended therapy / exercise to help an elderly person regain
leg strength and balance? I'm going to talk to his cardiologist about
doing some low intensity weight workouts for his leg strength, but his
having a weak heart doesn't help matters here.
Falling "a lot" isn't a situation to address with a gadget to summon
help, although it is wise to consider that also. Sounds like he needs
assisted living or a live-in companion/aide, although a lot of folks are
not willing or able to go with that. Perhaps his physician will order
some at-home physical therapy and occ. therapy. The purpose would be to
assess his physical needs, build strength, make his surroundings as safe
as possible and teach him how to get around safely. I would address the
surroundings for saftey - adequate lighting, toilet needs at night,
eliminating trip hazards, etc.
The Red Cross, where I live, has a program for calling shut-ins daily to
make sure they are okay. Part of what gets people to old age is
stubbornness and independence - tough to deal with when they get there
 ) Good luck! |
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| Will |
| Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 1:34 pm |
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<Hawki63@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:erRch.2263$Ga1.882@newssvr12.news.prodigy.net...
Quote: I just did a quick search using "elderly safety" and came up with several
such devices
one made by Medic Alert and another called Rescue Alert....it looked like
they were worn around the neck,,,I assume they gave direct call to 911
you may want to start with a search..
I did start with a search. I did find those devices you mention, which
don't meet my requirements. I specifically do NOT want a call to 911.
--
Will |
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| Guest |
| Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 2:30 pm |
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"Will" <westes-usc@noemail.nospam> wrote in message
news:OLydnWR8ZsH0x-nYnZ2dnUVZ_qOdnZ2d@giganews.com...
Quote: Hawki63@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:erRch.2263$Ga1.882@newssvr12.news.prodigy.net...
I just did a quick search using "elderly safety" and came up with several
such devices
one made by Medic Alert and another called Rescue Alert....it looked like
they were worn around the neck,,,I assume they gave direct call to 911
you may want to start with a search..
I did start with a search. I did find those devices you mention, which
don't meet my requirements. I specifically do NOT want a call to 911.
--
Will
hmmm...sorry ...thought that was what you had in mind
you are looking for..then..a device that allows him to call YOU or another
family member??
good luck |
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| Caol MacThòmais |
| Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 3:19 pm |
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On 2006-12-04 02:37:24 +0000, "Will" <westes-usc@noemail.nospam> said:
Quote: My elderly father has unfortunately started to fall a lot, and we have a
concern about his not being able to get back up on his own safely. Does
any vendor make a pendant or device that can be worn like a wristwatch that
could be used by an elderly patient if he has fallen or needs help?
I cannot find the maker's page, but search for 'piper lifeline' - it is
a pendant and assorted pull cord system that telephones a service other
than emergency, costs I can see are about £3 a week which I think is
good value for piece of mind.
Of course this service might only be avaliable in the UK, but I do not
know where you are.
kt.
--
I went to the doctor. I said to him "I'm frightened of lapels."
He said, "You've got cholera." |
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| Starlight |
| Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 11:00 pm |
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On Sun, 3 Dec 2006 18:37:24 -0800, "Will" <westes-usc@noemail.nospam>
posted:
Quote: My elderly father has unfortunately started to fall a lot, and we have a
concern about his not being able to get back up on his own safely. Does
any vendor make a pendant or device that can be worn like a wristwatch that
could be used by an elderly patient if he has fallen or needs help? As a
practical matter, we can't seem to get him to remember to keep his cell
phone with him. I've seen devices that will summon an ambulance, but that
is not our requirement. Maybe someone makes a wristwatch cell phone?
What is some recommended therapy / exercise to help an elderly person regain
leg strength and balance? I'm going to talk to his cardiologist about
doing some low intensity weight workouts for his leg strength, but his
having a weak heart doesn't help matters here.
Will, if your father's condition has changed, and increased falls are
a change, Medicare will pay for PT in the home, if he is essentially
homebound. It would be best to get a PT consult, through his
doctor's office, and let them evaluate him, taking into consideration
his heart condition, etc.. They can do a few weeks of PT with him,
then leave instructions for follow-up exercizes.
As for devices, there is a system callled American Medical Alarms.
1-800-542-0438, or you can go to their website. If the button is
pressed, the operator speaks to the individual through a console. I
believe you can arrange for the operator to call you, a neighbor, or
someone other than emergency services. I think Lifeline does the
same. 1-800-543-3546. One of my old home care patients used
Med-Alert, which spoke to her via the console, and if she did not
respond, her son was notified and asked what action to take. Not sure
if that was a local service or not.
As a home health nurse, I have to say that if he is having more
frequent falls, there's a possibility he shouldn't be left alone at
home. Perhaps a few hours of a home health aide, to fix his lunch and
help him with personal care, are in order. It also might be time for
you to think about Assisted Living for him. One of those falls may
cause serious injury, and even a wrist device won't be of help if he's
seriously injured or knocked unconscious. I'm sure you've thought of
those things. You're entering that stage in your life where you'll
have to make difficult decisions, when he's no longer safe in his
current situation. I wish you luck.
Becky |
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| Will |
| Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 5:11 pm |
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<Hawki63@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:dPZch.7174$wc5.1045@newssvr25.news.prodigy.net...
Quote: "Will" <westes-usc@noemail.nospam> wrote in message
news:OLydnWR8ZsH0x-nYnZ2dnUVZ_qOdnZ2d@giganews.com...
Hawki63@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:erRch.2263$Ga1.882@newssvr12.news.prodigy.net...
I just did a quick search using "elderly safety" and came up with
several
such devices
one made by Medic Alert and another called Rescue Alert....it looked
like
they were worn around the neck,,,I assume they gave direct call to 911
you may want to start with a search..
I did start with a search. I did find those devices you mention, which
don't meet my requirements. I specifically do NOT want a call to 911.
hmmm...sorry ...thought that was what you had in mind
you are looking for..then..a device that allows him to call YOU or another
family member??
Yes, something like a cell phone on a wristwatch that has a way to make an
out going call by an easy single button push might be nice.
Another variant would be a single button push that notifies a monitoring
center, and then they start to call family members.
--
Will |
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