So, dad (93) is to move to Assisted Living soon and he wants an alarm clock so he will wake in the morning (so he will be able to get to meals and activities... this was his idea, not mine) I bought one with a shaker for under the pillow and it didn't wake him. I can probably pay the caretakers to wake him up, but he really thinks he wants an alarm. Anyone have any suggestions?
When I was a cna in memory care, we'd always wake everyone up for breakfast, first of all. Sometimes had to check 2, 3 times before they'd come out if they walked. Or, we'd finally escort them. Everyone got to eat.
We had a wonderful man who was rather independent but, couldn't hear a thing. Every eve. he'd faithfully set his alarm clock. Every morning we'd hear it beeping away loudly, while he was still asleep. The routine was we would go in and say, it's time to get up! He'd say, my alarm clock didn't go off again, wonder what's the matter with it? We would say, hmm, I don't know..?! Every. single. day. Loved him!
Otherwise why can't he just have a timer on a light or music, if you are worried about the noise of an alarm clock.
Talk to the staff and ask them what they find works best - they will have come across this situation before, they well be able to help.
Does he have a roommate?
If not, why not get him an old school alarm clock (very loud)!
That is provided it's easy for him to use!
Best wishes!
So, I asked if the staff encouraged interaction with others.
I was told that if the staff doesn’t see the resident out and about, that they automatically go into their room to check on them.
I don’t believe there was an additional fee for checking on someone.
Or buy one of those old alarm clocks that has the loud bell on the top. Maybe he can hear that. If he can hear the phone, there may be an automated or personal calling service that could call him each morning - like in a hotel.
There are alarms that vibrate / shake the bed. Even some that you wear on your wrist.
A quick internet search will provide many options.
Another resource might be found under the topic of vibrating alarm for deaf / hard of hearing.
Also, before your Dad's move, take him to an Ear Dr and have them ckean his ears and remove the ear wax.
He could also be fitted with hearing aides.
I would have it listed on his records and on his door in big writing..
Wake Dad up for all meals and Activities.
There are lights that can be installed that will flash. Not sure if this is just emergency lighting or if there are some that can be set as an alarm.
There are watches that will shake.
Do a search for Alarms for the Deaf and lots of ideas will pop up.
A phone that vibrates VERY loudly, along with a very loud alarm, set to go off every 10 minutes for an hour usually does the trick. The phone will vibrate until he handles it and turns it off. That alone is loud enough for me (I sleep in the bedroom underneath his) to wake up. The alarm going off is just annoying, and it does take some time for his brain to remember what it means.
And he's not impaired at all, mentally. Not old, just very deaf.
You may well end up having someone come in to wake him up, don't discount that as a possibility, Many, many mornings I wake up DH as he doesn't respond to the alarms. Best of luck with that.