The wife's Dad passed away not long and her Mom now lives alone. She still wants to be on her own, but acknowledges that if she fell or otherwise got hurt, she could be in trouble.

She does not have internet service (and I'm pretty certain she would not be willing to get it); also, she just got her first cellphone and tends not to carry it around with her inside the house.

I've seen the ads for the medical alert devices, but have no idea which are legitimate and which are junk. Does anyone have any recommendations or other input for these devices? Thanks in advance.

I looked into these, couple years ago, after I had a bad fall in the driveway. They are legit, the purchase cost is not bad, but they require a monitoring service with costs that mount up.

Basic monitoring started at $29.00 / month for "at home" only, no roaming, and the connection to the service is via telephone landline. We no longer have a landline, so add that to the cost.

Monitoring that is not restricted to home and does not require a landline was around $89.00 / month. Way too much.

What we decided on -- Apple Watches, Series 4 and newer, have "fall detection." After a fall, a call is initiated to 9-1-1, and to anybody (everybody) on the Emergency Contact list that the user specifies in the Watch's Health app. There is no monthly fee for this. A cellular connection is required, but that is needed anyway in order to use many of the Watch's features.

So the cost is the one-time cost of buying the Watch. My wife gave me one for our anniversary.

An Apple Watch is what I was going to suggest as well.

I don't think an Apple Watch is recommended in the shower. That's where I had my fall. Something about soap and water can compromise the electrical contacts.

quote:

Originally posted by festus haggen:

I don't think an Apple Watch is recommended in the shower.

That is one of my concerns. I do not wear my watch in the shower, nor while washing dishes.

Our shower is a walk-in, so I do not have to step over the side of a tub. I did have grab bars installed, and I have a shower chair from a medical supply store.

I am really careful, almost to the point of paranoia, in the shower. A non-slip floor mat, and I move slowly, very careful to have my CG directly over a foot before I transfer any weight to that foot.

I used this company for my Mom. They saved her life after a fall.

https://buy.mobilehelp.com/?DN...F2Mb&CampaignID=1057

According to Apple,

quote:

Showering with Apple Watch Series 2 and newer is ok, but we recommend not exposing Apple Watch to soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and perfumes as they can negatively affect water seals and acoustic membranes. Apple Watch should be cleaned with fresh water and dried with a lint free-cloth if it comes in contact with anything other than fresh water.

Apple Support Link

Newer apple watches are fine for showers or swimming.

Apple says not to expose them to soap, shampoos or other chemicals. Those can harm the seals.

Does anyone else besides Apple make a wrist device that does what the Apple Watch does here?

quote:

Originally posted by sig2392:
Newer apple watches are fine for showers or swimming.

Apple says not to expose them to soap, shampoos or other chemicals. Those can harm the seals.

When I shower I use soap and shampoo. Kinda the point of showering.

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:
Does anyone else besides Apple make a wrist device that does what the Apple Watch does here?

Here's a link with something like 10 devices for this: https://www.best10medicalalert...kEAAYASAAEgLj1_D_BwE

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:
Does anyone else besides Apple make a wrist device that does what the Apple Watch does here?

Here's a link with something like 10 devices for this:

Those all require the use of a third party agency to handle notifications.

I'm talking about an alternative to Apple that as a "stand alone" also will directly call designated contacts from 9-1-1 to relatives, etc. No third party and monthly fees required.

My first thought was an Apple Watch as well. I have one and the fall detection is a great feature. Unfortunately, I don't see my mother-in-law getting one.

I will look into the devices in the link you provided Flash-LB.

V-Tail, you make some great points about making the home safer. I know my mother-in-law has a walk-in shower, but I don't think there are any grab rails in her bathroom anywhere. I am going to look into this as well.

Thanks guys.

Somehow you need to get her on internet service. Being the thrifty type myself, I found that it ends up being far cheaper than a landline and any of the satellite TV services. Most cell phones now have wifi calling so in and near your home, the phone gets it's connection straight through the internet.
You may have to do all the research and setup yourself and make the learning process as simple as possible for her.
The Apple watch needs an Apple phone to work correctly and provide those services mentioned. I recently got the watch and along with the phone there are a number of things that can help provide this warning notification at basically no extra cost.

On the subject of grab rails, my father bought some rails that use large suction cups and seem very secure. They need a smooth surface to attach but otherwise are easy to use.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:

The Apple watch needs an Apple phone to work correctly and provide those services mentioned.

Ah... didn't know that either.

When my Mother started falling I called her health insurance provider. They authorized a Philips Lifeline medical alert system. There was no cost to her with Medicare and United Healthcare. It has a built in cellular connection and included a necklace pendent with a help button that detects falls and is supposed to be worn in the shower.

https://www.lifeline.philips.com/

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:
Does anyone else besides Apple make a wrist device that does what the Apple Watch does here?

Here's a link with something like 10 devices for this:

Those all require the use of a third party agency to handle notifications.

I'm talking about an alternative to Apple that as a "stand alone" also will directly call designated contacts from 9-1-1 to relatives, etc. No third party and monthly fees required.

Apple's not a stand alone, nor is it free.

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:
Apple's not a stand alone, nor is it free.

Obviously I'm not educated about these devices....

quote:

Originally posted by CoolRich59:
My first thought was an Apple Watch as well. I have one and the fall detection is a great feature. Unfortunately, I don't see my mother-in-law getting one.

Unfortunately, given bald1's comment:

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:
Those all require the use of a third party agency to handle notifications.

that may be her most economical alternative. She will require an iPhone to go with it, though.

And, unless her home has WiFi (no Internet service, so I'm guessing not), that will still work only w/in Bluetooth range of the phone--unless she gets the cellular version of the Apple Watch and pays for a second cellular line.

Perhaps her best alternative is to learn to keep her phone with her at all times? Of course: That'll do her no good if she falls in such a manner she cannot reach her phone or is knocked unconscious.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:

Perhaps her best alternative is to learn to keep her phone with her at all times? Of course: That'll do her no good if she falls in such a manner she cannot reach her phone or is knocked unconscious.

Yes, that's my concern. What if she falls and the phone is out of reach?, or if she falls in the shower?

I like the idea of checking with her health insurance carrier. My father-in-law spent his career at Standard Oil/Amoco/BP and they still have some coverage. That may be a benefit that's offered.