Medical Alert Systems-- Serious Question Here
 

Hi Villagers! First time posting here, but I have a serious question. TV is promoted as an active community and it's all about living your best life. Do people wear medical alerts here? I live alone and like the idea of having 24/7 protection if I need it. Curious to know how others feel about this topic?

I have never understood why people would pay a monthly fee to call a service that is just going to call 911. Why not carry a cell phone with you at all times? Unless I am missing something.

Truth we all have freedom of choice. The original poster. I'm not sure what they are asking.
Medical alerts is a broad term. Could mean a necklace saying they are allergic to ????????

The same question, I regularly ask. Why know or CARE, what others choose to do. I think people can be chipped as is done for pets. What is the chance that a medical tech would know to look for that or have the equipment to read it. Many have all their important information on a cell phone. After taking your wallet, with your money and ID a mugger will take your cell phone. Perhaps, one with their left hand and the other with their right hand.

Because others have ideas I haven't thought of yet and have experience that I could benefit from. The only way I would learn about that is by asking.

For the OP: I do not feel my current health requires paying for a medical alert subscription. I almost always have my phone with me and have emergency information stored there. I also always carry my driver's license and my Villages ID; my hope is that between the two of those and the information on my phone someone would be able to reach my emergency contact.

If I were to fall in my house and injure myself such that I could not reach my phone then I would be in trouble. At this point in time I believe the risk of that happening is very low.

Would you wear a medical alert?
 

Hello! I am new here. Do Villagers wear medical alert systems?

Thanks for your replies. Much appreciated!

Why would it matter if Villagers did or did not wear a medical alert system? If I needed one, I would certainly wear it! My health and well-being is worth it to me and leaves no room for vanity to prevent wearing one. Come the day I need it - I will have it and wear it.

I would interfere with the shock collar that my wife had installed on me. It zaps me if I don't use my blinker in the car or cart. :cryin2:

But does it work when ya forget to turn the blinker off after the turn?

I have all sorts of lights facing toward:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::jester: me that blink if I leave the blinkers on. She loves to zap me with that damn collar.

You should see where the collar was installed when I was a youngin! This is a family-style forum, can't be specific.
:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::jester::wave:

I am sure some have it. It is piece of mind. Pushing 1 button is easier than calling 911.

OP, you may have one and not realize it, some of the newest watches have accident detection capability. The one I have knows my pulse, I am sure if I paid for the subscription service I would be able to set up a warning for pulse too high or too low. I have seen other units with lots more capability. Your cell phone can also act as a emergency location device, we have 911E in this area.
My point, I am not sure a separate device and service is required. An app and possibly a small device will give you the same capability.

I believe Apple has a "Sudden Impact Watch", (or something like that), which can detect a fall and automatically call for help. I believe you have a certain amount of time to stop the watch from calling in the case of a false alarm.

My Apple Watch does all those things and detects "falls". The problem is, if I'm at home I'm likely not wearing my watch because it needs charging. If I'm taking a shower, I'm not wearing it ... just because. If I'm doing some sort of work on my home, I might not be wearing it.

All those circumstances are the most likely situations for a "fall" or some other mishap. The majority of accidents happen at home, when I'm least likely to be wearing my watch.

My spouse wears the medical alert by "Lively" around the neck, it's a rectangular silver-colored device w/black cord & magnetic closure, fairly modern-looking. We bought 2 units to avoid 3 hours of "down time" when recharging is necessary (considering that via Murphy's Law, the 3 hours not wearing it would be when a crisis would occur). Not a candidate for the Apple watch with fall detection as your cellphone needs to also be IOS/Apple (not Android/Samsung etc.) for the watch's fall detection to operate. At the time I inquired, I was told Samsung was in the process of developing an Android watch with fall-detection but I'm not aware of the status of that technology.

The folks monitoring the Lively system have come online via the unit's speaker several times due to falls that were detected but not requiring help; first a recording stating that a fall was detected is heard on the unit's speaker, after which a live person inquires whether you are ok or need help. If you respond that you're ok, the call is concluded. If they get no reply, their next step is to either phone a contact number (if you have provided one at set-up) or to call 911 to have someone sent to the home. When I was away from the house, I had set up the system to phone me after a fall detection to help ascertain my spouse's condition, which they successfully did. Twice, we did need to initiate the device to request a call for paramedics, who arrived very promptly.

The system (in our area) uses Verizon, and when I balked about spotty service with cellphones using Verizon, the Lively tech offered that these devices generally don't have connection issues due to their being simple, without the various apps on cellphones.

I will add that one huge benefit was that during the times we needed to use the service, the Lively tech who connected us to the local 911 got through to them in a way that seemed more direct, without a long "hold" time and avoiding some of the general 911 operator triage questions I've been asked as just a random individual calling 911 by phone.

Though I'm not the one regularly wearing the device, whenever I engage in moderately strenuous exercise when no one else is nearby, I consider it prudent to do so with of these units around my own neck.

Yep fall in the shower or anywhere in your home or outside of it. Hit your head, immediate unconscious, possible bleed. If you are alone, you will not be using a cell phone.

A watch with fall alert will fix that problem. One also need good cell reception. If a watch doesn’t work for the person there are devices that can detect falls.

OP if you Think a fall device would give you piece of mind, or you family, then do research. We use cameras for parent home. The insistent of I am doing well on my own, not moving in with someone problem. One in the hall outside of bedroom, kitchen, garage, and front door. Motion set them off for 10sec to minutes. Took less than 2 weeks to find out a fall in the kitchen, went for a drive, (keys removed from home had new key delivered) got lost trying to find an old friend, and the best didn’t leave bedroom for 36 hours(too sick or stubborn to call anyone). Each episode someone was at the house under 5 minutes.

Wake up call, when we all watched the video together, that one can no longer be left on their own. Not a happy camper, but fixed a serious problem.

I’m still pretty athletic in my early 80’S but I saw this in an article a couple of years ago , it recommended leaving your phone on floor when taking a shower and if you climb up on a step ladder call someone before you do it. I do both. Go Gators

I knew a lady who had been diagnosed with a neuro motor disorder, who fell in her house and had no way to summon help.. She lay there unattended for four days. She was still alive when help arrived, but did not survive long after being admitted to the hospital. This is a wake-up call. If it takes a medical alert device to call 911, so be it. For all the reasons stated above one's cell phone may not be available

I have an Apple Watch and wear it all the time except when sleeping and it is charging. I fell recently in my closet on the way to the shower, but I had the watch on, it detected the fall and I had to reply or it would have called 911 and my emergency contacts. I wear it in the shower, and the pool… everywhere. When I fell and broke my hip a couple of years ago it saved me. It called 911 for me. Very inexpensive and a lifesaver, plus it has many health functions. You also get texts and notifications and all Apple apps. No brainer.

Another option for home is a digital voice assistant like google home or Amazon Alexa. Black Friday coming up and they often go on sale. They have features to set up so if you need help you can call out to it. “Ok google call my daughter”. “”Alexa call 911”. Lots of tech available to help us age in place at home. (Also cheaper that subscription services and more versatile)

most newer phones have an emergency sos feature that calls 911 and contacts you have designated to be alerted

I thank the poster and commenters. There was much to learn and think about and I found it helpful.

my I phone has and emergency button accessible even if the phone is locked. You set it up with
Your medical info and emergency contacts. I hit 911 by mistake and it called 911 and my 4 emergency contacts who called me. The message it left for my friends was XXX has an emergency.

Also Alexa has an app, My Buddy. Good if you fall. You just call out, “Alexa, call my buddies”. It will call, text and email all the people you put on the list. The only issue is some people are tech and Alexa phobic.

Finally, I’m on a text group on neighbors that texts good morning to the group every day. If by noon someone hasn’t checked in, we call. If there’s no response, we show up and knock at their door and if someone doesn’t have a key, we call the police. We’re not necessarily good friends, but we are good neighbors. It’s just peace of mind that someone close by is aware.

You are missing something. My mother has fallen several times and was unable to get phone out of pocket or crawl to phone. The medical alert detects the call and if you don’t respond uses gps to tell exactly where you are so medical personal and relatives are called to let them know. Think also if you pass out from low blood pressure won’t be able to use phone. Fall while getting morning paper or in shower don’t have phone with you. I think here device are great and essential for older people living alone.

Also make sure you either have key in lock box outside your house or neighbor so the medical alert people can tell how to unlock your door when they arrive.

I would start with an Apple Watch and probably Alexa type devices in the main living area and bedroom/bath.
Only challenge will be unlocking door.

Alexa wont help (and a life alert wont either) if you fall and pass out - so Apple Watch is a great option.
They charge faulty quickly, so charge them when youre sitting or eating. Wear them any other time.

These days, I have to turn off my Apple watch that has the fall detection service app on it, specially when leaving the local pub to go home.
One night I arrived home, and there was 14 ambulances waiting outside my house!:beer3:

My experience with 911 is very negative. The first time I had an emergency incident in the parking lot at Brownwood. When I called 911 and told them I was in the parking lot behind the design center at Brownwood they asked for the address. I told them I had no idea what the address is and they repeated what is the address. Telling them again I had no idea they asked again for at least 3 and perhaps 4 times. Fortunately by that time someone from the gathering crowd had called 911 and was apparently able to get an address because after awhile services showed up and we ended up going to the emergency room.
Second example is a friend working at one of the rec centers had a guest fall outside the building. They called 911 and gave the address, but were transferred to 3 different departments before finally getting someone to help.
I have learned to not rely on 911. Something like "Lively" sounds like a good idea to me. As a minimum they will be able to supply location to 911.

Reminder if you fall and become immediately unconscious, a cell, or Alexa will not help.

You need a watch or fall device with you.

Funny true story with Alexa, TV was on tuned to QVC. Product was Alexa, they used my buddy app. Our Alexa responded, call all four of my contacts and 911, while I was in the bathroom. I got 911 canceled, but all 3 kids alert texts sent a flurry of phone calls and texts to me while they were at work (2 in surgery, one teaching).

So if you can respond, Alexa will work Well. We have one in every room, because isn’t it easier to turn on your lights without getting up:BigApplause:

My mother, who lived alone, had one. She fell and broke her pelvis. She pushed it and they answered right away. You should designate a person who has a key, a neighbor perhaps, and they will call that person and the medics. My mother had a cell phone but never turned it on and forget about her wearing any hi-tech device. She was very comfortable wearing her LifeAlert necklace. I think it’s a great idea.

I have an Apple Watch with no specific apps related to this on it. Several times when I’ve been using a kitchen utensil to pound something flat, the watch has come alive to ask if I’ve had a fall and offers to call 911. It was easy to press, “decline.” I hope I never have to find out what happens if I don’t.

I can personally attest to the Apple Watch fall detection feature. I fell last year playing pickle ball. I landed backwards and slammed my head to the ground. A retired nurse happened to be present and insisted I stay laying down. When an Apple Watch wearer stays down after a fall, the Watch calls 911, followed by a phone call to an emergency contact. EMTs arrived after I spoke to the 911 operator thru my watch. My husband called me because of the alert he received. Obviously, other people there could have called. I’m only providing this as a real life example of how the Apple Watch works. It is an expensive option though. Besides the upfront cost of the Watch, you would need to pay for the Watch cellular service. This article explains more on how it works: Use Emergency SOS on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

I highly recommend some type of fall alert device, especially for people who live alone. Even if you are not a fall risk, a medical emergency can happen to any of us at our age.

Why not get an Apple Watch or the latest apple iPhone? The watch knows when you fall and if you don’t respond to the alert on your watch, it will call 911. The watch will learn your movements over time. In the beginning, if I would shake up salad dressing in my left hand, it would prompt me if I fell and wanted to call 911, but after a few of those movements, it doesn’t prompt me anymore. The Apple Watch also provides heart arrhythmias, blood oxygen levels, sleep info and many other things without any monthly fees if you have a iPhone nearby.
The new apple iPhones can determine if you have been in a crash too and call 911 and knows your gps coordinates.

The technology of medical alert necklaces was all there was at one time, but now you are better off getting an Apple Watch with calling capabilities. You can dial 911 from your wrist and it will have your emergency contact info and even your last BP and heart rate.

In addition to an Apple Watch being able to call 911 Alexa can call 911.

The Villages introduced a new program called CHIRP (Community Help Initiative Response Program) for those of you who walk alone (or with your dog) at off hours. This is meant of outside only. You wear this lariat around your neck, and if you fall and need help, there's a whistle you can blow. You can get one at the district office at Sumter Landing (The Breezeway between Starbucks & Johnny Rockets) or call 352-753-0550. It's free to all Villagers.

Absolutely! It's the course of safety (especially for "seasoned citizens") to always keep one's cellphone within reachable distance whether or not wearing a fall-detection device. If you are able to use the phone, you will have the maximum possible control over the handling of your situation, who is notified about it, and whether or not you want assistance.

I can appreciate the caring and wisdom in the above, however, it made me wonder whether, as a senior citizen whose family has access to my home & could theoretically install cameras without my knowledge, I should remain clothed at all times (even when showering) for everyone's sake.

There are also Android versions of what commenters have been talking about with the watches & voice activated devices. Samsung smart watches have fall detection. But as with other commenters the watches have value, but are best used in combination with other methods, ie: voice activation & neck pendants.

unless you lose consciousness

Apple Watch
 

I suppose it may matter what type of emergency you could have from what condition....but if you have an Apple Watch (with cellular) like I have....if you fall, it asks if you have fallen, are you OK (easy to respond on the watch), or if you area in an accident.....with out an "OK" response it will call 911 with your exact position in the community. I believe some of the recent model will even monitor and respond for heart conditions and other illnesses. The iPhone is a standard monthly price and the watch is an add on (about 30-50% additional) depending on the carrier.