Dad is not great at answering my phone calls or monitoring messages. He lives alone and has the lifeline button (but doesn't detect falls). He has the tv up so loud, that he can't hear my calls, or he takes long naps. Sometimes it takes 4-5 hours before he answers my "Are you Ok?" messages. Often, I worry about him, so I go over to his condo to check on him. He has been fine each time; the tv up too loud etc. So, I was thinking; if his cell phone would auto-answer, I could hear the tv up loud and be relieved that he is ok..or he could hear me talking with him and answer. Is there anything you guys are aware of that can do something like this? It could be a messager-type app too, walkie-talkie app? any other ideas?
We did this for my mom. It wasn’t quite as helpful as we thought for two reasons:
1. The often answers before she can even hear it.
2. She is often not near her phone so it does pick up but all you hear is ambient sounds.
You can get cams or other devices as well but there are some privacy concerns with that.
I have several suggestions as I’m in the same boat with my elderly dad, however he’s in a memory care facility.
1. I have a camera in his room so I can always see what he’s doing. Inexpensive Wyze cam ($35) and it works PERFECTLY! I can even talk to him through it if I want to. I subscribe to the yearly fee that saves 30 days in the cloud. I can set it to ping me when there is motion, etc. TOTAL PEACE OF MIND FOR ME!
2. BROADLINK PRO ($45) on Amazon. I can control his TV or ANY other remote controlled device from anywhere in the world. Turn it on/off, mute it, change channel for him … anything! It is GREAT! Lots of times I mute the TV before I call :)
3. An app called RecallCue on his tablet. Only costs $5.40/month and I have it set to AUTO ANSWER calls. 2-way video so he can se me too. I can send messages, pics, videos or play music for him all from my IPhone from anywhere in the world. He doesn’t have to do a thing or touch it!
4. I just read an article about a phone thru RAZ MOBILITY that sounds like a great option for elderly.
All of these require internet wifi of course.
https://youtu.be/oB5tlQYk_n4
They have Amazon echo screens for two way visual conversations, but he would have to hear it, just like a phone, and answer for you to see him. Another thought would be a phone for hearing impaired. Some can be set up to make a light flash when it rings. He might not hear the phone ring but possibly see the light flashing off/on. Check his local phone company for phones available to him for hearing impaired
https://aginginplace.org/medical-alert-systems/monitoring-system-for-elderly-in-the-home/
https://www.apple.com/watch/why-apple-watch/
"HELP, I've fallen and I can't GET UP.
Guess it works unless the person is not unconscious
If your dad is hard of hearing, you can get a flashing light for his phone so he can see when it's ringing. Most iPhones have this setting, so just Google how to activate it if you go that route.
Maybe get a security camera that you can monitor from your cell phone or computer.