What are some good devices to help seniors who live alone?
• Medical Alert Devices
The most favoured medical alert device is Life Alert, but it is certainly not the only one available.
• Invisawear Smart Jewelry
This fantastic product is a piece of jewelry that can be a necklace or a bracelet. You can use an app on your phone to set it up and choose up to 5 people to be warned when and if you use it. One additional helpful item would be a magnetic clasp for the Invisawear necklace. This makes it easier to put on and take off for anyone struggling with small jewelry clasps.
• Medical Alert Watches
The Freedom Guardian watch is one of several different medical alert devices that can be worn as a watch. It has GPS tracking capabilities, reminders, and more.
• LifeFone Medical Alarm
It’s very similar to Life Alert – an accredited medical alert provider with lots of equipment you can use to protect yourself or a loved one when and if an emergency occurs.
• Amazon’s Alexa Device
You may not consider Alexa as a medical device. Still, it provides the ability to call 911 and contact several of your friends or family members in case of an emergency. It’s best used for emergencies within your home.
When my 80-something-year-old grandmother was living independently in her apartment, I looked for such devices. I looked into the Life Alert, I guess that’s what it’s called, and best I could tell, it was more of a racket than anything else. My grandma had an alarm system, and I looked into upgrading that with the varied features they presented. Here’s what I eventually found out the best appliance was for her: the TELEPHONE. She had both a landline and a cell phone. Some older adults have difficulty keeping their cell phones charged.
So you may need to check on that, perhaps daily. And if you can get them to do it, it’s nice if they keep it in their pocket all the time, in case they fall. With telephones, someone can call them once or twice a day. If there is no answer for a specific amount of time, then it’s time for someone to go to their home and check on them.
I know it’s pricey, but I believe a live-alone senior should have both a landline and a cell phone if feasible. If not, you only have to ensure that they keep a cell phone charged. Plus, don’t forget to put the best contact number on the older person’s phone on speed dial.