Help! I've fallen and I can't get up.....

[CMV]

Mom is still getting around well, but developing some balance issues. She is more active than a typical 25 y/o (that doesn't still live with his parents) - I wish I had her energy. But....she lives alone and has unusually steep steps to get to her basement where laundry is. And an odd stairwell to go to attic (not pull-down steps, but not a traditional stairwell), and she is continuously putting something up there or fetching something from there.

SO my sister asked me to look into something similar to that life alert. Her internet/cable provider offers something where you just yell out and it calls 911 for you. But apparently that service is expensive. My alarm company has similar too, but that's pretty expensive since you have to have the alarm service to begin with.

So cost is a concern. Not for me or my sis - either of us would gladly pay for a good service like that - but mom is real funny about not letting us pay for stuff for her. i.e. added her to my cell phone family plan that adds like $10 to my bill. Could care less about $10, but she sends me a check every year to cover it....then another about 60 days later because I don't cash the first one....

I don't know much about these services except that they exist. The traditional one I'm thinking of from the 1980's TV commercials and thread title....that looks like you have to be wearing the necklace to begin with. She wouldn't do that. She'd either forget, or simply wouldn't because in her mind, she's perfectly fine. And she is for 78 - I hope to be in that great of overall physical condition when I get to her age. But the balance issue is there, and sadly we've all seen people go from fine to downhill in a hurry from one good fall.

So what options are there for someone getting up in age, otherwise real good health, but living alone? I kind of like something passive like what a burglar alarm company or her internet service offers - just yell out & you don't have to wear a remote. I don't use a "smart speaker" like Amazon Echo or Google Home. Would it be as simple as getting a couple of those strategically placed and she just yell's out "Alexa call 911"??? If not, what are some good options?

 

[jeff9366]

My internist tells me after beginning four prescription meds, everyone has impeded balance.

Each additional med impedes balance more.

 

[RNeumann]

The speaker idea doesn’t work too well- outside, tub, soft voice etc. The most common I’ve seen is a bracelet or necklace that one would push if they need assistance. I deal with the part the person wears more than the service side. If she is still mentally there just have her carry her cell phone all the time- honestly that’s way more likely to be on the person.

 

[jbrumberg]

CMV- I dealt with challenges like yours for a living, and sadly it's a familiar family challenge. Your Mom reads like a capable, independent, and active aging in place individual and I hope she has many more years of independent living. The bottom line is Mom is competent and until she is agreeable to some form of life alert or outreach services nothing is going to happen.

Your best shot would entail having her doctor(s) or a "trusted other" talk with her about the utility of a life alert.

Two real life scenarios: My Dad did not get a life alert until after he fell in the bathroom and spent couple of days lying on the floor alone. Sadly this scenario is common with outcomes worse than what happened to my Father. One of my Bud's Mom fell and would not use her life alert because she feared they would break down her door forgetting that there was a locked combination key box by the door.

Good Luck.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Well, they make dialers provided she has a phone line, preferably not IP. You would program the dialer to call your various phone numbers. Then put a high quality wireless system, receiver and pendant transmitter type system in. Like Innovonics. She would have to wear a pendant. Or you could put emergency buttons at strategic locations, preferably wired in. Wired is ALWAYS better!

The advantage of this system is that you can choose high wquality components. There are without doubt complete systems around like this, and i can almost guarantee they are mostly GARBAGE!

 

[jbrumberg]

Hardwired circuitry seems more logical than a battery powered unit. Any emergency button would have to be accessible to someone immobile on the floor. Voice actuated equipment would work better.

Getting old is not for sissies nor faint of heart.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I would not trust something "software driven".

I would put panic switches in such places as the washroom and bottom ot the stairs.

 

[k0ua]

We had the life alert when the Mother In Law lived here in our basement. She never used it.

How about would it be possible to re-build the basement stairs to make them less steep? better treads etc? Making her carry the cell phone is the same of subscribing to life alert except no additional bill. The getting old and getting seniors to comply is a problem for everyone. At least yours has all of her faculties. But it still can be a problem for your peace of mind. From her point of view there is no problem, so the problem really rests with you. She hasn't fell down the stairs yet right? So what is the problem? This is how she will look at it. As stated above getting old is not good. The alternative is even worse.

 

[jbrumberg]

IT- You know more about the electronics than I am capable of ever learning. I would add kitchen to your list.

James- Your observations reflect my reality during a good part of my work history. Nicely posted.

In addition efforts should be made to "fall proof" the home. Throw rugs are actually trip mats in reality. Improved lighting never hurts either, but from personal observation many elderly "conserve" energy by alway turning off the lights.

Aging in place is not easy nor cheap.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I feel like a terrible son. I had such a system (I described) at my Moms after a knee replacement AND should REALLY have one in place now, when she is truly infirm and HAS fallen already.