Hiring care vs. Life Alert for short errands?

My father would take a nap at exactly 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. I would run quick errands at that time.

Well, if she falls, whether you're there or not, the damage would be the same. Unless, you were able to catch her. My in-law did that and then both of them were injured. So, for an hour or so I would risk it as long as she isn't a wanderer. Or can't wander. Life alert would call you or other family members before calling an ambulance, right?

Yes, Life Alert calls me first, then my sister and then 911. My mom used it once a couple years ago, I had just left the house to get groceries and they called my cell while I was on the road. I was able to get back home right away and pick her up. I do like the idea of timing errands or even just being outside working the garden to her naps.

The biggest problem I can see with any type of alert where you have to press a button to call for help is at some point many people will not be able to comprehend "press a button" And many become non verbal, others may panic when a strange voice talks to them. the other thing is when first responders get to the door will they be able to gain entry without having to breakdown the door (going back to getting a lock box they are aware of)
A friend of mine had a system, may have been Life Alert where if they detected no movement for a set time period they would contact her or contact 911. Not sure how much that cost or if that is an option with all units.
So I guess bottom line, how able is the person to
1. know they need to contact someone for help.
2. Are they able to verbalize the problem.
3. Will they be able to get to a door to let someone in if no lock box has been provided.
4. Will they use it/ wear it all the time.

If a person has been sitting for a while, gets up to go to the bathroom, gets lightheaded and passes out..they will only be able to call after they are conscious and that might be 1 minute, 10 minutes???
There is no "perfect" solution. A fall will happen, not a matter of IF but WHEN. And a fall can happen when there is no one there or when the family is there. It is no one's fault, no one to blame as long as the fall was not caused by something preventable. (area rugs, electric cords, a blanket on the floor, a shoe left by the door, the cat that walked in front of me and 100's of other causes)
Keep things as safe as possible, minimize risk and hope for the best

I wear a life alert like a watch and never take it off. If I press the button it speaks directly to me.

One fall I had was out in the road when my hip broke and i just collapsed. could not get up and a passing motorist stopped and helped me up . declined further help and slid along the side of the car into the drivers seat. After that drove to the post office and dropped mail in the box. Was going to UPS but decided to go home. drove into the garage and managed a few steps and up a couple of steps to the nearest chair and yelled for DH.
I do have a companion now DH has passed but spend hours alone but can manage with a walker. This week my objective with PT was to be able to get up off the floor by myself. With lots of grunting and creaking I did manage to the astonishment of both the PT and my caregiver. I did wait till there were two people there because I am too heavy for my caregiver alone. She can do it but it kills her back. I had been tempted to try but thought better of it.
Back to the OP I think it is fine to leave someone alone for an hour or so as long as you feel they are safe.
I also think a camera is an excellent idea. My daughter got one for my caregiver so she could check on me when she was outside mowing. I don't think she does.

Hi I really appreciate your post. I'm a F/T caregiver for mom who is blind now. Im very frustrsted and depressed since i have no life. My sister n daughter live 1 1/2 hour away. they come sometimes but its the daily 24/7 and then if my daughter comes I want to be with her alone so we can't leave mom. She's very anxious when I'm not in the house even if I'm in the garage doing laundry. I have a baby monitor so I can hear her. But not sure if the life alert would be helpful since she'd probably would push it alot. Since she cant see she hears noises out side and gets scared. Even tho I leave TV on soaps or shows to listen to, she gets very nervous, but she always was a worry wart. I do have sitters for longer periods for my food shopping. But i would love to go out for dinner or dance to have a life but no one can sit with her for 4/5 hours in the evening unless I pay them alot since they would have to put her to bed. Put her eye drop in one eye for glaucoma. That's another issue I'm going thru with her eye Dr, he wants to try laser. Her other eye is totally blind. She also stated mild dementia altho when her visiting NP visits she tells them she's fine, I've heard tho that elderly lie alot...lol
I've had agency aides but I'm scared to trust them. The camera is a good idea but I'm not tech expert but will try if soneone knows a good easy one. So now looking for women around community and have meeting today. I'm sorry I'm all over the place because I'm tired and overwhelmed can't get anything done (paperwork) I'm sure you know! She also gets up now in middle night. Thanks for any advice n for listening. Good luck, God bless you.

We recently put my mom In an assisted living facility due to this. She is 92, was living in an independent senior living facility but fell and broke her hip. It definitely depends on your mother’s cognitive ability. My mom never thought to use the pull cord or her life alert but instead crawled to her apartment door and yelled. Had she been in a different situation she couldn’t have gotten help. My mother’s cognitive function has gone downhill since the fall.

LifeAlert, Apple Watch, Jitterbug, FotoDialer (landline that calls people by pressing a button next to the photo of who you want to call) are all good, but different options.
There are good options now, which is so refreshing.

CWillie really nailed it. Who are these judgemental know it alls. THe amount of care family members are providing and saving the government is astronomical, but they're going to tell us how to do it?


BTW, just for anyone who might not think of the obvious...if you have someone, even physically up to errands...but they have dementia, don't forget to get a disabled parking pass. It's a challenge to take my mom to Costco...but I figure the exercise is good for her as is the entertainment of shopping...and I figure the close parking, if there are any spots, is my reward LOL.