Re: Emergency alert system

What is wrong with carrying your mobile phone with you at all times? You can dial the emergency service even if the phone is locked or out of range of your normal carrier (assuming that there is a carrier available).

When I was younger than you it saved by bacon when my back went bung - I couldn't move but I had my phone on my belt (it was the size of a brick then) and I was able to ring for help.

Far cheaper than other options and works when you are out and about too.

Re: Emergency alert system

Hi
Thank you all so much for replies. I live in a set of nine bungalows set back from the main road. They are all for people over 55. All the other residents are women and most are older than me.
This idea of getting an emergency system if I have another heart attack or breathing problems with my chest is a way of making my children think I will be ok staying in my bungalow.
I hate the way it's making me feel old as I'm only 62 and it's only because of the recent heart attacks and cardiac arrests I'm so tired and weak. These things will pass.

If it means that I'm safer having this personal alarm fitted so be it.
I had thought of just keeping a mobile on me all the time but when I had the heart attacks I was in so much pain that it was difficult to talk and it wasn't till I was in the ambulance and they started giving me morphine I was able to talk. Plus if it was a COPD emergency by that stage In breathing so badly I cannot speak anyway.

My children and ex wife are pushing me like mad to move closer to them but I love my little bungalow despite I'm sitting here in the one remaining armchair surrounded by concrete floors and sleeping on an airbed at the moment after the flood disaster.

I had so many hopes and dreams here before I became really ill and the shock of what happened last month has spurred me into changing my life massively so that I can chase after those dreams. I want to have my independence still and realise that I have to take things easy.
I will have to do the painting myself and also the curtain hanging etc but have realised that I could do it in very short bursts of energy. Painting part of ceiling as I can and maybe 1 wall at a time.
Ok it's going to take me longer but I cannot afford the quote of £450 plus materials just to emulsion a ceiling and walls of a
13 x 14 foot room that I've been given today. I just need to be careful, not be impatient and rest when I get tired or chest pains.

Re: Emergency alert system

MC, did you manage to get your personal alarm sorted out?

I can't help but think it does not seem a very good idea, to be sleeping on an airbed on a bare concrete floor, when you are still recovering from heart surgery!
Does your doctor know this?
Surely you can get some help? Did you contact AgeUK?

Re: Emergency alert system

I have a emergency alarm system and have been wearing a wrist alarm for a year now. In fact I have just renewed the contract for the next twelve months. Living alone and having mobility problems it is reassuring that I can get help should it be necessary. The alarm even works should I have a fall in the garden.

I know that in a couple of weeks’ time I will have no-one I can call on for help, as my only relative who lives locally will be out of the country. I have the reassurance of the alarm and the knowledge that assistance can be sought and access to my home gained, through the company knowing my key safe number.

Yesterday I tested the alarm (as they recommend) by pressing my button, and within a couple of minutes someone was asking what assistance I needed. You do not need to have the phone in your hand to answer.

Re: Emergency alert system

Hi Mups
I have had a message left on my mobile by some guy from Lifeline. I will put him on my list of people to ring on Monday.

My ex wife is trying to discourage me from buying a bed as she says what if the place you move to have beds, cookers, fridges, whatever. I think my familys plan is to put me in an OAP home with a little bedroom and a communal bathroom and lounge where all the residents sit round the edges of the room waiting to die. It got to the point where she was stopping me buying a jumper because I was cold the other day.

I'm not taking any notice anymore and instead I'm putting the heating on, opening the windows when warm and sunny to dry the place out. I'm advertising for a cleaner to help me get the place cleaned out properly and I'm ordering a bed. Oh, and Ive bought a lovely warm fleece jacket.
Because I have no carpets yet until floors dry out properly I'm finding that its very cold in the bungalow and the plastic airbed is so covered in condensation in the morning that I think I should be sleeping in a lifejacket with flares and a whistle to attract other vessels if I drift too far during the night.
Am going to go to Dreams in Kettering or Bensons in town and see what they have suitable.

Re: Emergency alert system

Whilst buying a new bed, get yourself an orthopaedic mattress and a mattress topper too matey. Yes they are more expensive, but well worth it for the extra comfort they provide. Once installed, you'll sleep like a baby!!!

Re: Emergency alert system

What? on his back, unable to move and waking every couple of hours to be fed?

I think I'd forgo the orthopaedic mattress if that was the case.

Re: Emergency alert system

OK a story.

As a C/H fitter was given a job to instale heating to an empty propaty nothing in the house a dream job

House was cleared off every thing.

Walked into one room and pulled one of those light switches thats hang down with a cord.

Half an hour later some massive banging on the door I open it and saw to my surprise 3 police officers asking if I need help.

The pervious person who had died had had one of these systems.

This was in the early noughtys

Wonder in this day and age if the Police would still turn up.

Sorry about the spelling

Re: Emergency alert system

Think you miss the letter N out of your post

Re: Emergency alert system

Just before I left home on this trip I was shown a mobile phone owned by a 96 year old lady.

It was about the same size as a normal smart phone but where the screen would be were about 8 (or 10?) large square buttons. Each one was labelled with a name - actually only about six were labelled the remainder blank.

There was a separate larger button at the bottom labelled SOS which is her emergency call. She could only call the people named on each button but anybody could call her. As she said she doesn't call many people anyway they are all relatives or a doctor or specialist and they each have a button.

I thought it was brilliant the only draw back is that it has to be programmed by the supplier if she wants to add a name to a spare button. She said they do it while you wait.

I wish I had taken a photo of it but it sounds like a solution to a lot of elderly people's safety and mobile phone (phobia?) problems.