Any experience with Life Alert

[Sigarms]

Situation - Last month father had two mini strokes within 4 days. Ran up to Pa, brought him down to NC to be with us. He's 82, very active (still fishes, bowls and golfs). The doctors up in PA said he seemed to be doing fine and would make the drive down to NC no problem.

About 6 weeks later, absolutely no issues with dad with us since they have him on some new medication. He has an appointment with a stroke specialist here in NC, and I'd like to get their assesment of the situation, but feel that nothing may change (now that he's on new medication and no other signs, perhaps a clean bill of health). When I came back from Vermont the other week (with wife and sons) I picked up his car and drove it down to my house. My father wants to make the 8 hr drive himself now. He takes his time and pulls over if he gets tired. Wife would like me to drive with him and fly back, but dad dosen't want a babysitter. Although he is getting old, he isn't a bad driver, at one point regularly driving close to 40k a year for work after he retired from the military.

So Dad dosen't want a co rider, but myself, wife and other family members are worried about him being by himself if something else medically should occur if no one is around.

Thinking about a medical device like "Life alert" so if dad is by himself, he can push a button and someone will know what is going on by talking with him, or worst case, be able to send help.

Called life alert tonight, wasn't that impressed, basically a "answering service" who would send info out to me. Called "Alert 1", talked to a guy who answered all of my questions.

Due to my father being active and one for not staying around the house, looking at the "Kelsi GPS system". Basically, it should mean that no matter where my father is at, he pushes the button and they know from his GPS device exactly where he is at.

Dad has agreed that if it makes me feel better, he will get a "medical alert" of some sort, added the fact that I won't make the drive with him back to Pa (bargaining on my end, but it's better than nothing, and of course, as long as it's cleared by the medical doctors here in NC).

Anyone have any first hand experience with these types of devices? Would like some feedback on either the device or the company standing behind the device.

Sincere thanks.

 

[GPintheMitten]

A few years ago we searched for a life alert solution for my 90 year old very independent mother in law.

She eventually agreed to get it. It was a home only solution that connected to her home phone. She also accepted a cell phone but often left it home when she left. Luckily she never had an event that required either on an emergency basis.

Sounds like you should look for a completely mobile solution.

People of this age can be very independent minded. Often from their perspective their independence is worth more than the possibility of needing help ...at least while it is a theoretical need.

Best wishes for you and your father in figuring this out.

 

[madamos]

I am in a similar situation with my dad and the one thing that concerns me the most is what he could do to someone else if he has a medical problem when he is driving. I can't even imagine how bad he and I would feel if some one was killed or injured.

He is fiercely independent but the time is near where no mater how good a driver he is ( no accident or tickets in 40+ years) driving will no longs be an option it will be doubly hard as he is 2500 miles away and my mother has not driven for 6 -7 years.

I hope all goes well for you and your dad and that this is not a decision you have to make... yet.

Paul

 

[boggen]

had bad reaction to a food i never really tried before, this morning, no one else around, laying in bed, with phone in hand ready to push 911, but i was so out of it, if i got much worser i most likely would of not been able to press the buttons. let alone see them. a one button neckless option would of been my ticket, now that i am reading this post, if i had decided i needed help.

i have gotten shots before (not from blood or anything) but rather hitting nerves, / sudden shock, and have blacked out, or nearly went out. while i was in the doctor office things were good folks were there with me, but if i was on my own, i know i could of NOT made it to a cellphone / land line phone, let alone call out for help. i might of been able to grab ahold of chest and pressed a stinking neckless button, before i went out of it completely. don't get me wrong when i have blacked out, or nearly went out, i have tried, but the 2 to 4 times i have blacked out over the years, i ended up falling flat on my face on the floor, and never even getting close to a phone, or grabbing a hold of someone, let alone letting a scream out but a soft muttled whisper.

not trying to scare anyone or the like, just that i been there to some point.

 

[dave1949]

Whatever you chose, it can be difficult for EMS folks to enter a locked house when the resident is unable to open the door.

EMS had to break into the old neighbor lady's house this winter, and there is some procedure/permission process to follow for that which adds delay. There is supposed to be a hidden key or lockbox combination on record with Life Alert or whoever, but that is only as good as the person making sure the key or box is actually where it is supposed to be. In this case, the key was supposed to be under a planter. Trouble was, no one could see the planter in the hard frozen 4' of snow covering it.

It took 15-20 minutes for the EMS team to get in her house, plus she had two locked doors to get through; one into a mud porch, and a second door from there to the kitchen.

 

[KiotiKowboy]

If it's just about driving alone - get OnStar.

 

[Sigarms]

If it's just about driving alone - get OnStar.

No, it's not just about driving alone, but being out in the garage working on something or outside trying to get rid of the snow. One reason why I was looking at the GPS unit (although one model is good for some acres around the house, he still does some long distant driving). That said, all of the times he's out of state fly fishing or golfing, he's usually in the company of his buddies.

 

[EarPlug]

We went with a Phillips system but I don't remember why? Here is a Review Site for the major brands.

We also got a Lock Box from Knox Company that was then registered with the local Fire Rescue Department. They have a master key that they can retrieve a house key.

 

[newbury]

<snip>
So Dad dosen't want a co rider, but myself, wife and other family members are worried about him being by himself if something else medically should occur if no one is around.

Thinking about a medical device like "Life alert" so if dad is by himself, he can push a button and someone will know what is going on by talking with him, or worst case, be able to send help.
<snip>

Tell him it's not for HIS health, it's for yours! So you don't worry yourself to death.

A few years ago we searched for a life alert solution for my 90 year old very independent mother in law.

She eventually agreed to get it. It was a home only solution that connected to her home phone. She also accepted a cell phone but often left it home when she left. Luckily she never had an event that required either on an emergency basis.

Sounds like you should look for a completely mobile solution.

People of this age can be very independent minded. Often from their perspective their independence is worth more than the possibility of needing help ...at least while it is a theoretical need.

Best wishes for you and your father in figuring this out.

Same problem with my MIL, but she's only 89 and 8 months. She accepted carrying a cell phone everywhere, but there are times when she's not in areas of service. However she has made sure she always has a cell phone pocket with her charged cell phone with her.

No, it's not just about driving alone, but being out in the garage working on something or outside trying to get rid of the snow. One reason why I was looking at the GPS unit (although one model is good for some acres around the house, he still does some long distant driving). That said, all of the times he's out of state fly fishing or golfing, he's usually in the company of his buddies.

If you can get him to carry it.

We went with a Phillips system but I don't remember why? Here is a Review Site for the major brands.

We also got a Lock Box from Knox Company that was then registered with the local Fire Rescue Department. They have a master key that they can retrieve a house key.

That's an excellent idea.

My MIL slipped on ice last winter, fell, hit her head slightly and was briefly unconscious. Put the scare in all of us. What's needed is an implant with GPS and "fall alert"

 

[TripleR]

SPOT is pretty expensive, but you might look into it. We got my 92 year old mother a home only life alert system as she now lets my brother take her to the doctor.