I Fell and I Couldn't Get Up
 

Last week I fell late at night on my way to my bed. This is the third incident where I found myself in a position where I couldn't get up without help, the last being prior to my moving to TV. If my wife wasn't available or if I couldn't have awoken here when calling for help, I would have been, well I think you know the scenario.

Before continuing let me say that I did not get injured in the fall. I landded on my dupa and it was just uncomfortable until we could get the fire department to arrive and help get me up. Well, maybe my pride was hurt a little! http://community.ebay.co.uk/t5/image...v=mpbl-1&px=48

What I would like is for someone who may have used a service like Lifeline, Alert 1 or Life Alert, or have a loved one who uses the service to advise me on how they like the service as well as any information you can provide beyond what may be found on their websites. Home use is primary, but the ability to use the service when say I'm traveling between my home and the mail station on my mobility scooter.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Sorry you are dealing with a mobility problem.

I am not familiar with those services. But till you figure out a long-term solution, if you have cellphones you might be able to use those to alert your wife or call someone for help.

Had Life Alert for my parents when they were still with us, Skyguy. The service, at that time, was only for their house. When service was set up, the only options for cancellation were if they moved to live with someone, went into a nursing home or passed away. Check terms for any company you are considering....they don't necessarily tell you this.

The cell phone seems a very good idea when out and about on your mobility scooter.

Good luck with your search.

I had heard from a mutual friend that you, like I, use a wheelchair. There are times that I walk a (very few) yards with a walker.

I used to laugh at the "I've fallen and I can't get up" commercials. But, in the last couple of years I've had to have the assistance of paramedics to get up off of the floor twice. Because of my spine surgery I can't have an untrained person just embrace me and pull me up.

1. When home alone I tend to stay in my lift chair a good deal of the time.
2. When home alone we keep an exterior door unlocked so if I fall and need help no one will have to break in.
3. I wear a Smartphone on my person at all times when I am not in bed. It's not "nearby" or "in reach," it is on my person. It is in a padded case and the phone is unlikely to suffer damage if I fall.
4. Several of my friends in The Villages, and 911, are pre-programmed in the phone.
5. Here is a biggie ..... I also have my own information, with my address, in the phone; in case I get confused and can't recall my address.

And, of course, the Smartphone is not limited to just the house.

Good luck.

Peace of Mind
 

Personal alert/alarm systems have changed a lot over the years. When they were first introduced you could only use them in your home because they were dependent on a landline. If your home phone was out of service your alert system would not work. You can still get the systems dependent on home phone service ,but, most people use GPS wireless cellular alarm services these days. You can call for help anywhere and you don't even have to know where you are. So, if you are traveling or just on an unfamiliar street in your own town the GPS can report your exact location. They work better in a medical emergency than a cell phone for a couple of reasons. They call directly to a emergency responder unlike a cell phone where you have to be alert enough to locate an appropriate telephone number. They also have alert systems that responds automatically by contacting an emergency responder when detecting a fall or extreme temperature change. They are waterproof and meant to be worn In the shower. There are some great systems available. If you think you might need one, I wouldn't hesitate. The can provide peace of mind.

First, I want to say I'm sorry that you fell but glad to hear you are alright.

When my Dad was home bound, we wanted him to be able to call for Mom and I but not an alarm company. His voice wasn't that strong and we wanted something we could hear on both levels of our home.

We bought a wireless doorbell. I crazy glued the doorbell button to a lariat that we could clip to his shirt. We put the doorbell speaker on the open stairwell so we could hear it on both levels. It worked great. Mom and I could do our jobs around the house and Dad could ring the doorbell if he needed us. Dad is gone now but we still use the doorbell from time to time.

This only works in or very near the house. Mom takes her cell phone with her when she goes out to the mailbox or gets the morning paper.

I use a PAL personal alarm link system when home and my cell phone when out. the PAL system has village reps who will set it up and I believe for more money theirs will also utilize gps to work outside your home. if that is appropriate. the buton I wear around my neck 24/7 is fully waterproof and means should I find myself on the floor I don't have to scoot to a phone etc. when I push my button I talk to a live person and direct them as to what type of help I need. so no ambulance unless I request. such service.

I know nothing about these things, but I'm so sorry you fell, Skyguy. That must be very frustrating, and thank goodness you weren't hurt.

my father in law is hard of hearing and shakes so this limits his use of a phone. he has recently fallen several times and he can not get up by himself but needs help from his wife or another helpful person. i did research on these devices looking a value and available options. i ended up buying a 5 alert system not from walmart but from the 1 800 number because they included a wrist band, pendant necklace, and waterproof pouch at no charge. the unit cost was 49.95 with a 35.00 activation fee and 14.95 monthly monitoring charge. the biggest advantage of this domino size unit is that it is similar to a cell phone where once the button is pressed it will connect you to the service no matter where you are at with both the microphone and speaker in the unit. it does not have a home base unit that has to be connected to a phone line but is a stand alone system. it also has a gps system which gives the service your location at home or any other place you might be. it has a 30 day money back guarantee so my father in law will be trying it out to ensure he can hear the monitoring service and they can hear him. in other words if the unit will work due to his limited capabilities. the down side is that like any electronic device it is not waterproof so if you use it in the shower you have to correctly put it in a waterproof pouch and like a cell phone the batteries need recharging. it also does not monitor for fire or carbon monoxide as other systems do. this will not be a deal breaker as he does not live alone. the largest advantage of this system is less cost for monitoring each month and gives his wife the ability to run errands or leave my father in law alone at home knowing that if something happens (he falls and cant get up) she will be immediately notified and a successful and timely resolution can be made. one final note is that in a severe emergency my father in law can hold the button down for over 5 seconds and 911 is immediately notified with the code given to enter the home so they do not have to break down the front door. i hope this helps because i know how important independence and mobility are to the well being of ones soul.

Thanks to all for your suggestions and advise. I'm leaning toward the PAL Button and absorbing their website to learn what I can about them. Medical Alert System that keeps Seniors safe|PAL BUTTON|Florida based company

:agree:

A life alert for home and cell phone for outside the house, is the way to go.

I would also see a doctor to determine why you are falling so much lately. JMO

I sincerely hope you will feel better, when you have resolved this tough issue.

My husband uses a "Jitterbug" cell phone. They have a simple one and a smart one. BOTH work with "5-Star" for an added $15/month. No matter what your need, no matter where you are, if you hit the 5 and the star you will be connected to someone who can locate you with a built in GPS or somehow. We haven't needed the service but just love the simple workings of this phone.

Joe, I haven't been falling so much lately and there's no need to discuss this with my doctor as this was a physical situation and not a medical one.

This was only the forth time I've fallen in roughly the past 7 years. I've always been pretty sure footed and the other 3 falls where from falling out of bed about 5 years ago and the other 2 before that from trying to step up on curb and stepping up into a building where the step rise was too high for me and made my knee buckle like it did last week. The only other falls in the past were on ice, but that's going back quite a few years ago.

Anyway, this fall got me thinking about what I would do if my wife wasn't there to call for help and also how she might feel if it happened while she was out. Besides I wouldn't want her to start worrying about me while she's out!

Glad you landed on your dupa and not anything else
 

Sky....


Very glad you landed on your "dupa" and not anything else.
Even if your wife was at home, I know that I would have a difficult time trying to lift my six foot one 225 lb. husband off of the floor if he landed on his Polish dupa.

I'm checking with our cousin re the LIFE ALERT system she got for her mom who lives alone. I do think it gives them all a certain sense of safety, especially in the mom's case......

Now, be good and don't do anything we wouldn't do.

P.S.
When my Ukrainian mom lived with us for half a dozen years or so, I was always afraid I'd wake up in the morning to see her "at the bottom of the stairs" from the bedroom area.......as she roamed all night long.....but luckily, she remained safe. But, it happens. It happens to the best of us and to the youngest of us as well. She also called it a "dupa".

I just wanted to chime in that "it can happen to any of us". I would not consider myself to have any mobility challenges, but a couple of weeks ago I bent over to pick up the mail from the floor, and suddenly I was falling backward with nothing to grab. I landed full-force on my "dupa" and though it was a shock I was able to get right up. The surprising part was that for DAYS later I felt like I'd been in a car wreck! If I were less mobile, with my jolly physique, they'd have to send more than a firetruck they'd need a cattle hoist!