I purchased a medical alert system for when my husband can't get up off the floor. These companies need you to provide people they can call to go help. My husband and myself have no family in the state we live in (Florida) they are not close at all. My husband's close friends have passed already, so no close friends. I tried a couple of neighbors in the community, but they have their own issues and can't help. I need to find some people to help.
Thank you.
Also, we got two of the EZ-Riser Mobility Tools from Amazon (I don't get any kick-backs or incentives from Amazon and you may be able to purchase it somewhere else). It basically extends your arm so you can get up easier. My mom much prefers to use the EZ-Riser than to have someone come to the house to help her.
Here's a link if you want to check it out:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FFSG65L/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_2?smid=A1HWA47UZXAXMR&th=1
I'm not trained in how to do that. If I tried to lift my 6'4" 260 lb hubby off the floor I would hurt myself. We live in a condo community and nobody is in 'top shape' anymore. There's not a single neighbor I would call for help!
Even when my MIL was falling all the time, she'd call my DH and he couldn't lift her. We finally got her to let the Firefighters come in. Sadly, it comes with a lot of broken windows and doors as she refuses to put a key anywhere 'safe'. (She used to have one in the garage, but every time I would visit, she would then move the key so I couldn't get in.) (yep, just me).
She seems to be doing better as per the falling. IDK, as I do not see her anymore. But when she does, she knows that the fire dept will show up.
Without a contact, 911 will be called for your area. Like I said, I and my daughter were contacts because we lived 5 min away and could check on Mom to see if 911 was needed.
Thank you.
The other downside of it was that sometimes she would accidentally press the button. I discontinued the service.
Personally I feel like 911 was the easiest and quickest way to handle it.
We had a lockbox. It was a big help! I bought it on Amazon. The firemen would let themselves in.
The only time I regretted having it was when I decided to take a very quick bath when my mom was watching tv.
She loved watching her soap opera. Or as she called it, ‘her story.’
Anyway, she was sitting in her remote control recliner and she fiddled with the buttons on the remote.
I kept the bathroom door open whenever I was in the bathroom so I could hear mom.
I was in the tub all of a minute or so when I saw four firemen walking down my hallway! Geeeeez! It terrified me seeing men in my house. She fell when the water was running so I didn’t hear anything.
I jumped out of the tub, threw on a robe and ran to mom. Mom told me that she was trying to adjust her chair, but landed on the floor instead.
No matter how many times I would adjust her chair for her, she couldn’t ever get completely uncomfortable due to her Parkinson’s disease. Even when I asked her not to fiddle around with the remote she did it anyway.
It works like this. Your not home so DH pushes the button. An operator comes on and asks "Mr Doe how can I help you". Your husband says he has fallen and the operator calls 911 in ur area. If when the operator picks up the call and your husband does not respond, the operator will call u first. Then u have the option of going home to see if its a real emergency and then call 911 if it is. If ur DH has no contacts listed, 911 will be called automatically if DH does not respond. This happens usually when the alert has fall detection. The person could have blacked out or hit their head and become unconscious.
Thank you , then I do not have to search for some support people. I added automatic fall detection for an extra charge , thought it was best.
Thanks.
in most cases there is no charge for this. Unless your husband sustains an obvious injury and there is transport to the hospital. (Even with an injury you or he can decline transport)
If you are out of the house then you would be the one that they call.
BUT you can not lift him you would then call for the Lift Assist.
Frankly if this "service" requires you to have a list of people to call it seems of limited use.
Thank you for your answer . I am glad I came to AgingCare all your answers have been very informative. Thank you again.
I live in NC, and my late husband was a fall risk for several years. I had to call 911 a lot and thankfully my husband never had to be taken to the hospital, so we were never charged. And the EMT's were always very nice and kind.
Just don't hurt yourself trying to get him up yourself. Call 911 if that is an option for you.
Thank you for your answer. All of you are very very helpful. I am going to call 911 if I need to.