My 80 year old dad lives on his own, very active, still drives daily including driving the "old folk" to the local hospice in his role as a volunteer. Also computer savvy, has laptop, mobile, uses Skype etc so you get the general picture that he is very independent.
Sister got a call from him this morning, had chest pains, sister took him to A&E and after a day of tests he is back home, no cardiac issues, must just be muscular.
Anyway to get to the point, this has been a bit of a wake up call for me and my siblings that dad won't go on for ever and we really need to keep more of an "eye" on him - what would happen if he did fall in the house etc etc.
I know for a fact he wouldn't entertain any of these personal alarm type things that are normally worn round the neck (like the very one he made my gran wear when she turned 70).
Has anyone been in this position and were able to come up with some sort of compromise that gave peace of mind to all parties without causing embarrasment to the elderly person and also getting the full buy-in of someone who does not see the need for it??
I seem to remember an article where a housing authority had installed motion sensors in the house and if they weren't triggered within a set period it raised an alarm - that would maybe be a discreet measure?
Any thoughts / ideas / experiences would be appreciated!
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You don't remain active and independent at 80 doing what your kids say.
Little cameras making sure you're still moving? Aye right he'll go for that ;-)
These devices are of more use for those who fall a lot, or who have lost their confidence.
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Lifeline is the system which is connected to the phone and a panic button which can be hung around the neck and activates a very sensitive microphone. Whilst you are rightly concerned but you are up against pride and perhaps stubbornness which is difficult with someone who has mental capacity and can make their own decisions which you may not agree with.
As time progresses and they become less mobile a fall usually triggers an acceptance of how much at risk they are. Whilst you may be be able to sell the idea you cannot make them wear the transmitter but it is available to them once they realise their vulnerability
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How about a smartphone.
Good for a tech-savvy guy, can have panic button software installed, capable of voice dialling, can be tracked, etc etc. You can do everything you want, including monitoring, especially if he has WiFi and the added advantage of potential assistance when he's away from home.
And a nice thing to have rather than being perceived as some kind of support device.
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OK Bobby, he's independent and you say he won't want faffing.
Make sure his communications are good - mobile, charged, with signal, and landline phone - and call him or drop in every couple of days.
Don't suddenly start turning up three times a day or he'll get irritated, sounds like.
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Have you talked to him about it? What does he think? Does he now recognise the desirability of ready or automatic communication?
If it had been a heart attack, would he have wanted to be resuscitated and perhaps then end up immobile or incapacitated?
Or does he just want to be independent to the end and then just keel over and go quickly with no fuss?
It's clear what we all think is the right answer, but what does he want?
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If not a smartphone as they can be difficult to read when eysight declines, there are some Big Button phones aimed at the elderly which have a panic button on them (Tesco stock them). I have considered one for my mother who at the moment wont let me provide her with an emergency alarm such as the ones available on the Age concern website.
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Late MIL felt the same about personal alarms, but we paid for one and it was always in the house. She had a couple of mild scares and took to keeping it on her more often than not. I think she found it a comfort in the end.
I'd advise having one, but don't apply any pressure about them carrying it around.
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The big button phones like the ones from Doro might be good as mentioned above. They have an SOS button which then sends a text to predefined numbers and then starts to try calling them. Emits a loud noise too.
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I got this sorted for my mother after an attempted burglary.
She got an intruder alarm installed which included a remote plipper thingy. It also acts as an alarm for her and calls up to 4 pre-defined numbers when needed.
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>> The big button phones like the ones from Doro might be good as mentioned above.
>> They have an SOS button which then sends a text to predefined numbers and then
>> starts to try calling them. Emits a loud noise too.
Yup, had the same problem recently with my 80 year old mother after a fall. The doro phone with a lanyard so she can hang it round her neck. I told her its trendy.
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My MiL really got to the stage where she needed some system. I think we opted for a BT system. She had a blipper which she wore round her neck but she never remembered to take it off in bed. We were the first responder, living next door, and I've lost count of the number of times we were up and off next door in robe and slippers at 3am because she'd rolled over on it.
I've had a Doro phone for about 3 years now, but I needed a camera so I got a replacement this week. It's a Doro515. It has a panic system which will phone, I think, 5 programmed numbers in sequence. I haven't activated this on mine but it might come in useful after a few glasses of malt !
Ted
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Tose Doro phones look quite good - will need to have a browse about the site.
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My Mum and MIL both have them now, purchased by yours truly. Both delighted with them.
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Panic button for the elderly - advice reqd - Lygonos
