Dad just turned 89 and has been living with us for over a year. While no immediate acute issues/concerns, he has been sleeping a lot more lately, sometimes for much longer than his norm. He has slowly been getting more winded and has less stamina, not his usual activity level, etc. Mentally still sharp but I have notice physical fragility seems to be increasing. Has been to Dr, nothing new but has some long term medical issues that take a toll.

I’ll be direct - I am afraid that at some point I am likely to check on him and he will have passed. Besides a basic baby monitor, is there anything that would do audio only, and preferably through a smartphone app?

Don’t want to invade Dad’s privacy with video, and it doesn’t necessarily need to be always on/constant. Would just like a way to “check in” without opening the door/disturbing him.

Searched Amazon and there are still a few audio only baby monitors, but I didn’t see anything geared towards elderly monitoring. Figured if anyone would know it would the SF folks...


Anyone else have/had this problem and found a solution?

If a baby cam has audio just cover the video lens.

Audio only baby monitor.

Baby monitor. Find one that does sound only or just tape over the camera.

This will be simple plug and play.

Baby monitor. They make some with an intercom function so you and he can talk like on walkie talkies if you want. and some have lights that blink when there’s sound made on his end if you want to mute the sound for some reason.

by the way I was lucky enough to be with my dad when he passed, but if he passes peacefully in his sleep in your home, surrounded by loved ones and support, that’s a good thing, not something to be feared. You will never be ready. It’s hard.

Just use a motion activated wireless camera with tape over the lens, like a Blink. You could even use a Ring doorbell with the lens covered. You could then use the “Watch now” feature of the app, and it would have two-way communications. Set it to record on movement, and you could then just check if it was making entries (there is still regular movement). You could look for new entries without opening them up or listening to them, but their existence would confirm he’s still okay. You could set the movement notifications to come to your phone automatically, so it would be somewhat effortless to monitor.

If your Dad is willing you could get an Angelcare baby monitor. Not only do they have an audio only, but they have a sensor pad that can go under the mattress that detects breathing. No movement for 20 seconds and it sounds an alarm.

It has to be turned on when needed and turned off when not though otherwise it will go off. Hence why he would need to be ok with it.

We have had one for both our boys and the peace of mind regarding SIDS was great.

Wireless intercoms. $60 a pair. Use monitor function.

Take a look at ebay
The older baby monitors are audio only. Probably pick up one real cheap

My FIL lives with us and is 87. So far, he's been pretty good: healthy, takes few meds, shoots weekly by himself, still drives, etc. Would he quickly deteriorate, I'd get an audio baby monitor, as others have suggested.

My wife (his daughter) is a nurse, but couldn't handle the death of her Mom a couple of years ago. I told her and her Dad to go upstairs and I would wait for the coroner/undertaker to remove the body. Guess I'm heartless!!!

Also you may wish to consider something like an Apple watch that can (I believe? perhaps I'm wrong) detect falls.

Thanks for all the input, I know there are still audio only baby monitors and the option of just covering a video camera.

What I was wondering if there was a better option, audio only via smartphone app so not tied to a serve rate on it or unit that has to be charged, etc. Evidently that option doesn’t exist.

Looks like the best option may be a intercom with “Monitor” function that allows two-way duplex audio without Dad having to do anything.

I did find a base unit that advertises full duplex monitoring operation that I am guessing uses FRS frequencies so I can monitor with a small HT. HT would need PTT, but that isn’t a problem so long as dad doesn’t have to do anything on his end.

You're also assuming that Dad wants you listening in on him.

What's gonna happen when he's sneaking his GF through the bedroom window?
It's not like you can ground him!

Have you considered one of the medical alert devices/services? That way he can summon help if needed. He pushes a button and then the service contacts you. If they can’t reach you, they send someone to check.

My MIL had this sort of service before she moved into her current apartment – the building has system – she can summon help by pulling a cord (and they are pretty much everywhere). My mom had the same type of service when she before she went to assisted living. Don’t remember what service they used. Send me an email if you want me to track down the name of the service provider.

He is ok with us listening, is really only in the bedroom when sleeping.

My wife doesn't work, so he is rarely home alone no real need for the medic alert, not sure he would use it anyway.

I went ahead and ordered the Retevis RT57 "intercom" with monitor/duplex function. After digging into it a little further, it seems to use UHF frequencies outside of the Ham band, no license requirement by FCC.

Constant .5w broadcast on 409.XXXXX mhz while in "monitor" mode selected and receives in the 463.XXXXX mhz range for full duplex operation.

Using an HT, I can listen anywhere in the house (or even the block for the matter). I so happen to have a couple of Retevis RT5 dual band HT's that are similar (but a step up from Baofengs in my opinion). Should be able to set them up to TX/RX to the intercom unit. Simplex on a split from the HT, but full duplex on the intercom.

A "quality" Ham UHF HT wouldn't work, but the cheapo Retevis, Baofeng, etc ones are wide band enough to cover those frequencies.

Will know more once it arrives tomorrow...

The real problem is that he is not getting enough exercise. You need to take a walk each day.

I had an Aunt that was 80 and looking like she would not make it another year she was so frail.

I told her she needed to take a walk each day. She lived on a farm alone but had a garden and several cats. Even shot ground hogs with a 22.

She started taking walks each day and lived another 19 years with the last two years in an Assisted Living Facility. You loose your muscle mass when you get no exercise.

Well, the Retevis intercom won’t work, doesn’t have the Handsfree monitor the listing suggested.

Ordered another 2 station intercom that looks like it will work, we’ll see how that one goes when it arrives.

quote:

Originally posted by 41:
The real problem is that he is not getting enough exercise. You need to take a walk each day...

He is 89, has COPD, and has been in the hospital since last Tuesday after a medic response for acute respiratory failure.

I don’t think “walking it off” is the answer.

Alexa.

Old people love them (someone to talk to) and you can use it as an intercom through the app on your phone.

quote:

Originally posted by Scurvy:
Alexa.

Old people love them (someone to talk to) and you can use it as an intercom through the app on your phone.