Medical Alert Systems

[bunsterj]

I'm looking into home medical alert systems for a family member---they would have a button to push if they fell or were ill and couldn't get to the phone and help would be summoned for them. Does anyone have any experience with any of these they would like to share? Some come with contracts of up to three years, and we would like to avoid that...either want a no contract system or a short contract one. Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Nova]

Hello,
We had one of those systems for my Mother-in-Law. It was through our local hospital and there was no contract for a certain length of time. When she passed, I simply called and they came and got the equipment. The ones you see advertised on TV may have a contract involved. Perhaps call your local hospital for advice? Good luck.

Nova

[samida]

my mother uses Life LIne

[seattlegal]

My father used Life-line. He got tired of wearing it, left it on the kitchen counter,fell in his bedroom, and was there for 8 hours--a neighbor just happened to come by to visit. Be sure it is not taken off

[KyMama]

We live in Ohio. The county in which we live provided this service for my grandmother at no charge.

You may want to check with your counties Senior Services to see if your loved one would qualify.

[KCalla]

We use Lifeline in our town. You can either go to the hospital to sign up there or call their 800 number. It's a set monthly rate based on income. (Monthly fee up here is approx 35 to 45 per month. I can't remember which and there is a setup fee.)

They ask you to have 3 responders. The closest one being first.

I do know a couple that had it in AZ and when they came back to Alaska, it would dial to AZ but they changed their responders to local family up here and it worked just fine.

[bunsterj]

Thanks, I'll look into these.The system I was looking into, has an optional key box feature...like what you have on your door when your house is for sale. Allegedly the alert company lets the EMS responders know what the combination is. Does anyone have any experience with that feature?

[KarenS]

Any medical alert system is only good if the person actually uses it. My DBIL just recently lost his DGrandM due to a fall in the bathroom (hitting her head on the porcelain tub hard enough to crack it). She lived in a senior community where the bathroom, living room, bedroom had alarms they could pull for help. She was also WEARING a lifeline system. She came too, got herself up and then went knocking on neighbors doors in the middle of the night. Never.used.the.systems.

[anninsd]

My 98 year old mother won't use one because she is afraid she would set it off accidentally. She is one that likes to constantly rub things with her fingers. I can't convince her.

I didn't know they could cost as muc as $35 - 45 a month.

Ann

[KarenS]

I've been wracking my brain to think of the one we got for my DDad before he passed 4 years ago but I can't think of it. We purchased a system that would call a contact (in our case, the closest family member) direct rather than thru a service. The only cost he had was the purchase of the unit itself which came with a button for around his neck.

It's long gone so I can't even go back to find out who it was by. Sorry.

[SapphireRocker]

:

Originally Posted by bunsterj

Thanks, I'll look into these.The system I was looking into, has an optional key box feature...like what you have on your door when your house is for sale. Allegedly the alert company lets the EMS responders know what the combination is. Does anyone have any experience with that feature?

My next door neighbor has the system that you are looking into. Her's has a combination on the box with the key inside. The fire dept & couple neighbor's have the combination. I don't have it cause I"m gone quite a bit. She's only used it one time since having it.Her famiy is quite pleased with the system.I THINK they called the house & was talking to her on th phone till the fire dept & her family arrived.Right now she's out of town for a month.So I don't know much about the system. Like if there is a contract,the cost,etc. I do know the family did get it for her & she's had it since May.She's 90 & lives by herself. I hope this helps a little bit.And that you'll find the right one your looking for. Barb