I remember when medical alert devices were new and a TV commercial that featured the phrase "I've fallen, and I can't get up!" had such a huge impact that people still use it, as does the company that still makes those devices.
We've come a long way since then.
But the phrase was very much on my mind when I recently found myself shopping for 21st century updates on the original devices -- and found them. I recently found two devices for my mom that are making a difference and I wanted to share what I have learned.
She is 92 and active. (Drives, shops, kicks ass playing bridge at the Senior Center.) I am not always around and she is often out on her own. That is terrific and we hope she will remain that independent for a long time. But her hearing is declining and so her cell phone is not as useful as it used to be for emergency situations. What to do?
The answer for us is a newish cell phone (called Jitterbug) made by a company specializing in devices for Seniors called Great Call. Jitterbug is one of the few hearing enhanced cells. She noticed the difference right away. But there were other benefits. Because it is specifically designed for seniors, it is much simpler and easier to use than other cells. Buttons are big and back-lit so they are easy to see. Plans are reasonably priced and no contracts. Its the only phone I am aware of that is designed specifically to address the needs of seniors.
Additionally, she needed some kind of medical alert -- but one that would work when she was outside as well as in. Turns out that Great Call also makes a medical alert called Splash that does just that. It has a GPS tracker so if she pushed the button in a medical or traffic emergency while alone in the car, they can find her even if she does not know where she is or cannot communicate -- and make the 911 call for you. The Great Call operator has medical info I provided relevant to her situation, the kinds of things ambulance and ER personnel want to know. And the operator can email or text it to emergency personnel. I have also provided them with family and medical contacts. The Splash operator would know how to reach me and anyone else we care to list.
So we got them both.
(There is a premium plan that also offers 24/7 access to nurses and doctors with one touch of the button. We didn't go for that, mostly because we already have 24/7 medical advice through her medical provider.)
Some big store chains carry these items (as well as their smart phone) such as Best Buy, WalMart, RiteAid and Sears. But they are also available via the company web site.
I can only speak from our experience, but I have since learned via Consumer Reports, that there are several other devices on the market similar to Splash. They all seem to be comparable in their pricing and services. Anyone who may consider all this will want to check it out.
The magazine recently evaluated five leading systems including Splash.
The mobile medical alert systems... are handheld, weigh about 2 ounces each, and offer neck pendants or belt holders, which may cost extra. These GPS-enabled devices have 3G service and two-way speaker-phone communication around the clock.
The reporter has a few caveats to offer:
mobile medical alerts link you to an emergency call center with the push of a button. Second, if you’re unable to talk or you’re lost, the devices use GPS (Global Positioning System) to find you.
That sounds reassuring. But given the fact that most falls and medical emergencies occur in the home, according to the National Safety Council, mobile medical alert systems have a notable drawback: They might not work as well as a traditional system indoors, where cellular connections tend to be weaker. Also, the GPS feature might not function well indoors.
So if you don’t have good wireless coverage in your home, a mobile medical alert system, such as Bay Alarm Mobile GPS, GreatCall Splash, and LifeStation Mobile GPS, might not be right for you.
In addition, the devices need to be recharged often, and they usually cost more than home-based systems. And last, a cell phone with an emergency call feature provides one of the same benefits of a mobile medical alert.
Still, the one-button simplicity and GPS can be appealing, especially if you’re at higher risk for falls or have a chronic health condition—and spend time away from home alone. Mobile alerts “can give a sense of security,” says Alfred Sacchetti, M.D., a spokesman for the American College of Emergency Physicians.
It is true that the Great Call cell phone Jitterbug has the emergency call feature on the keypad of their phone.
But we have both, because you can wear the Splash on a lanyard when in the shower and can otherwise carry it with you to places you may not bring your cell. And if you have fallen or are in an accident, the cell may be out of reach. My dad had Parkinson's Disease in his last years and macular degeneration had taken his sight. He had a standard medical alert button hanging around his neck, that he could easily find if he needed it. But it only worked indoors.
But I know of men of my dad's era who have fallen in the bathroom (and elsewhere) and did not have access to a cell or to their medical alert button that they had taken off and left out of reach or in another room. (Good thing they were found quickly!) There are no perfect solutions. But the idea that one can always push a button on a cell is not necessarily as likely as one might think. So that is one reason why we accept and are glad for the redundancy. In my mom's case, it is the hearing enhancement on the cell that is the main feature we wanted anyway.
One other feature of the Splash is that they have several a la carte features for a few extra bucks a month. One that we considered but have not yet opted for is automatic fall detection. If the fall detector kicks in, the Splash operators will be notified and if they do not get a response, will immediately call 911. They do not guarantee the fall detector as 100% effective, but for people who live alone and are fall prone, it could be a life saver.
I have learned a lot in my years as a caregiver for my parents. And I can say from experience that those of us who wish to have a little more independence for ourselves and for those we are caring for, the Splash and similar devices provide an interesting new option. And for those who live alone and are at risk, they are potential lifelines.
So I thought I would share this here because this seems to be a pretty remarkable breakthrough in electronic devices that could make a great difference in the lives of a lot of people. They already have in ours.