I want to get a monitoring system that tracks his activity daily. Does anyone have experience with this or use one?

@ba8alow, great question! The GeronIQ has a list that I create of people to notify if dad is having a possible problem. He has a neighbor that is close to him. I always was hesitate to call her but when I told her that I could add her to the notification list and set which types of notifications she could respond to for checking on him, she was more than willing to help us. @Harpcat, the GeronIQ is apparently a new product on the market that is offered by the caregiver company I called. They use it the help them support scenarios of "checking in" on their cared for people. He said they offer this solution for those that call that want someone to check in each week but don't have a need for in-home care services. He said that they are using it for about 30 customers.

Mcgibbon, the real question is, when you get a text in the middle of the night that your dad hasn't gone back to bed, what action will you take? Drive there, call a neighbor, call the police? Think through the possible scenarios. We installed an electronic lock on mom's front door that could be opened with a code. We were able to give the code to EMS in case of emergency. Or you could get a Realtor's box for the keys.

Piper system also has an accessory you can attach to doors and windows to notify you when it opens. This alerts you with a text. So for those who might get out and wander, this could be helpful, as well as from a security standpoint.

The system we use in our own home and at my dad's can be found on www.getpiper.com
You can also get an accessory that plus into a lamp so you can turn a light on or off or set it like a timer. We like this in our own home too for when we are away

Can't wait to hear more about the GeronIQ, and the Piper. We have a LifeLine with fall alert, but folks don't like it, as it doesn't help when they're more than 600 ft away. Plus they have received apparent prank phone calls, someone claims to be lifeline and asks them to "test" the system by pressing the red button....so I would rather gave something that does not rely on phones.

I will call the company that referred them to me and post the information here for you. I didn't write down anything other than what the guy told me.

While I can not endorse these, there's also Lively activity sensors, SmartThings, and Evermind. If something doesn't use WiFi, then it must use cellular which some homes can not get reliably. Either way, there will likely be a monthly fee.

I use the "Piper" monitoring system. What I love about it, is it's ability to detect not only motion but loud sound as well. It will then start recording a 30 minute video and send me a text. Plus, it has 2 - way communication. It has the ability for me to move the camera lens enabling me to scan the room/area further...it also uses wifi It's saved my moms butt many nights!!

I have tried searching online for GeronIQ with no success. Would you be able to give name of company that manufactures it or any other info to help me find this product? It sounds like a great idea!

I really appreciate all of the input. I like to suggestion to get his consent. We've crossed this milestone carefully with him and he has consented. I like the system that we have looked at because there is no camera, no upfront fees, no wifi required, and he doesn't have to change a thing in his daily life. No cameras are required since the system tracks his activity. I get a text if he gets up at night from bed but doesn't go back to bed in 10 minutes. I can set these notifications on my own in the software over time as I need to track things. My dad is very crippled and walks with a walker due to stenosis. He also has congestive heart failure and rheumtoric arthritis. So, for us, we need to know if he is moving or wandering, or not moving, or having trouble getting out of bed or chair. It's 100 a month but a lot cheaper than getting someone to go by and he doesn't want a stranger checking on him. He likes the security of knowing we are aware and care. He also likes the plan that he can stay at home versus moving. The system is GeronIQ. It's a new company that I had recommended to me by a in-home care company. I'm guessing that these companies are popping up everywhere based on what I'm reading. Have you heard of them?

We have a system by Vivint and it's nearly exactly like the new one advertised on line that you install yourself. I do not know all the various features one can get, but Mom has the panic necklace, and we have two cameras, with email and smartphone notifications and ability to control it all by me. They do have door locks which we tried, but Mom kept locking herself out, so had them removed. I do not know if GPS is available, but I've heard about the bracelets from other sources, for those who go outdoors and might get lost.

I have an 84 year old dad and often wonder what his caregivers do all day. What kind of system can I attach to my smartphone. We do have wifi in his apartment. Many thanks.........

Something like a gps .i am getting a bracelet but that does not help find her

I need something that would monitor wife when she gets out side she has Alzheimer's (example she got out of the hotel room at 2am and had door locked)

Can I ask which system you are looking at? There are a lot of them on the market now and they all work a little differently.

First off you need his consent. Listen to what he wants, and you will save yourself a lot of grief. 76 is young, unless he has health concerns. He doesn't need monitoring. Has he fallen? Does he have Parkinson's or signs of early dementia? If he doesn't; take a big sigh of relief, and relax. Read "My Mother, Your Mother" by Dr McCullough. It will help for future planning. Kudos for being a caring daughter. Your Dad is a lucky man.

I forgot to mention that this only incurs the initial cost of the camera. You and your dad need WIFI connections. There is NO monthly fee.

We use a wireless monitoring system in my dad's IL apartment. We can set it remotely using a smart phone or tablet to let us know when there is motion activity and will receive a text. It won't tell us though, as in your example, if he doesn't go back to bed. But we can open the app, check to see if he's ok (I.e., not lying on the floor etc.). It will also let you turn on a light remotely. My dad approved it and we are very strict with his privacy and do not "spy" on him. As I laughingly told him, "dad, you're life is not interesting enough for me to stare at you all the time". Lol. Anyway, it had given me peace of mind many times, especially when I'm away on a trip. We only have one camera in his living room which also covers his kitchen because it's open to the living room in his apartment. We didn't put one in his bedroom for his privacy plus he has pull chords there.