Home Safety for the Elderly & Disabled
"I've fallen and I can't get up," remember that TV ad? Health Watch is one of the many systems available in the US to help people who are elderly or disabled be safer in their homes. I've been recommending this system for patients of mine for over 2 years now and for the most part I am very happy with it.
Basically, the system comes in two parts. The first part is a necklace with a button (think of a doorbell button) on it that most people wear around their neck. This is the part that you push if you fall and hurt youself or otherwise need help. The second part of the system is a box that in simple purposes is a speaker. When you push your button, someone from the response center talks through the speaker to ask if you are all right (kind of like a call bell in the hospital). If you do not answer or need help, this person calls the rescue squad and numbers of friends, family, neighbors or others that you have provided as contact people.
The system works GREAT. I highly recommend it for anyone who is frail, or unsteady on their feet and are left alone in their home.
But there are some cons: 1. The cost...some people simply can not afford a $30 to $40 bill each month. 2. It doesn't do you any good if you don't WEAR the button...if you fall and it is across the room on your dresser it is not doing you any good. 3. You have to have a "land line." In other words this system does not work on cell phones.
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Health Watch It was a gift Category: Household / Home Safety Products Published: May 14, 2008 18:58
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Rank: 52nd (
1)
ShareScore: 97%
Gender: Female
Education Level: post_graduate
Country: United States
Industry: Health
Position: Social Work
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I wish there was a way that this would work with cell phones! Hopefully in the future it will.
we have been looking at one of these for my dad, but the thing is we found every one of them has where you have to push a button. My dad has very limited upper and lower body ability because of ALS so pushing a doorbell like button is not something he can do.
This is so important especially for the elderly or for people living alone and are sick.
While I absolutely see these as lifesavers, I'm very upset that these are not simply given to the frail elderly. Too many of them live in very limited incomes so are shut off from having this vital service. These are also great for latchkey children who are alone for several hours.
Froggy, what a great idea for use...latchkey children could definitely benefit from this service too. I agree about the cost being a prohibiting factor. We pay for our patients to have this and I'm sure other places do too. But more and more people do not have a land line and THAT seems to be more of an issue around here...I have two clients now that could use one but they only have a cell phone :0(
This is a smart system. The only situation I can see it possibly failing in is if a person falls and passes out - in this case they would be unable to press the button. he cost of $30-40 a month is a limitation for many, unfortunately. :(
I have seen this before and I thought it would be something that my grandfather could use. He doesn't think that he needs it but it sure would put my mind a ease. Thanks for the great information.
My best friend's mother couldn't get past your #2 drawback. She simply refused to wear it and lay on the floor with a broken arm for hours before she was found. Do you think that taught her a lesson... of course not!
Yes, life lines are great! I work with the elderly and disabled as well and recommend these to my clients! However I liked how you pointed out the 3 disadvantages....b/c either one or all of those things are reasons that people do not get them!
Was thinking this was something that my mom could use but the cost is prohibitive. She is 77 and gets around pretty well, but lives alone. We might see about getting this when she gets a little older and possibly all the kids could go in on the cost. Thanks for the info