Follow
Share

My dad recently died and my 84 year old mother is now living alone in Florida. I live in NJ. She manages pretty well on her own but she is somewhat frail and a fall risk. I'm looking for the best system to keep her safe while in the house alone. Thanks for any recommendations.

Devices won't keep her safe. People do. However, devices can alert you - or a company - to a possible problem situation.

Be aware that Florida hurricanes knock out cell towers and cell coverage. When that happens, you will not have contact with your loved one for a week more or less. I live in Florida in Zephyrhills and was blessed that we didn't lose cell phone coverage last year. We did have a few trees comes down and some flooded areas that made driving a bit tricky. Some folks were without electricity for 2 weeks. We had no electricity for 2 days. Something to consider if your mom is "frail." It might be wiser to have her come to you: if a hurricane threatens her area a couple of days in advance, OR for the hurricane season to avoid issues altogether.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Taarna
Report

My mother lived in a rural area in northeast Nebraska. The only towers available for her device were Verizon. We wanted her to have "fall detection" so the towers available were important. So just keep that in mind when picking a company. I called many, many companies and most used AT&T but when they looked up our zip code, AT&T towers were nowhere near. If you want fall detection, you will need to know which cell towers are nearby. Good luck.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Jagermeister
Report

glmaspn1965: My mother used Life Alert. She erred, though, when not wearing the pendant in the shower.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Llamalover47
Report

I like Lively by Great Call. It has a caregiver app with it that the family can log into on their phone or tablet or PC and it shows when she's out and about, vs being at home. The GPS isn't 100% exact unless there's a fall, or the button is pushed. Then it locks in. And it sends notifications to the family.

Lively is more than just a Medical Alert device. It's a safety device, too.
If (your Mom) gets lost she can push the button and they will help. If she is at home and hears a noise at night - she can push the button and they will "stay on" with her while she checks out the noise. If she's out shopping and there's a stranger following her that is scary, she can push the button and talk to them ... just in case she may need the police. And if she's walking out to her car at night it's okay to talk to them until she is safely inside. It's mobile, so she doesn't need to be near a base. Just make sure it's charged up and you are good to go. It's also water resistant and can be worn in the tub or shower, or out in the rain. And is lightweight and inexpensive. They often have 1/2 price off frequent sales on the device. And it costs around $25 a month plus if you add on Fall Protection, it's an extra $10 monthly. It has an online Portal that is simple to make updates and also have extensive FAQ and directions available online.
I wear mine everyday due to being a fall risk. Love it.
Highly recommend Lively.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to QuiltedBear
Report

I would look for a medical alert that includes a fall detection and on the go (pager like) devices that utilized cell towers and has GPS location detection for when out of range of the at home system.

Many local alarm systems in my uncles area has medical alert that were very good as the national systems and more cost effective.

Also, I was reviewing my uncles supplemental insurance and was pleasantly surprised that this was an added benefit at no out of pocket expense. It may be worth researching or placing an call with her supplemental (it will be a lengthy on hold time) to see if it is included.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to AMZebbC
Report

OK, a "device" will not keep mom safe.
A device will allow her to contact 911 or whatever system is designed to do. (some will call 911 others the call button connects you to a "center" and they will make the 911 call or make the call to family)

In the house if she has ALEXA that can now be used to call emergency services. I am pretty sure it is a separate program and there are fees.

A "smart watch" might be an option. I saw a commercial where the person wearing it fell and the watch detected no movement and called 911.

In the house you can use ALEXA and "drop in" on her and check on her and she can direct ALEXA to call "glmason1965" and a call will be made to you.

The big question is will she actually call 911 or will she call you if she falls? many people do not "want to be a bother" and will not make the 911 call.

Does she have a cell phone on her at all times. ALL times? I am in the same position. I am alone in the house and I will go to the basement to get something...and my phone is on the counter. I will go get the mail and my phone is by the desk.

And another option...installing cameras in her home. This way you can monitor her.

And if you don't do this you might want to text her EVERY morning. A simple good morning is all that is needed. She should respond within an hour if not then you can call for a well fare check. My neighbor texts every morning and I reply, If I do not get a text from her by 8am I text her anyway and if I don't get a reply I contact her daughter.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Grandma1954
Report
RedVanAnnie Apr 9, 2025
That a "device won't keep her safe" was my thought exactly.
(2)
Report
I’ve heard about Life Alert that has fall detection.

Nice that your mother is still independent. However, at some point, either home care or facility placement for better safety may be necessary.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Patathome01
Report

I signed my mom up with Bay Alarm. My mom was still independent and living in her own home at the time. She was 90 yo then. She had had a couple minor falls and had trouble getting up. The pendant was the one that works through the cellular network so it worked away from home. We have had some trouble with false alarms when the pendant hits the table or something when she sits down, but not too bad. The Customer service is great. All alarms are answered within seconds and the people are polite and caring. Unfortunately, she doesn't always wear it and has all kinds of excuses for not wearing it! The one time she fell and broke her wrist she didn't have it on! She moved into independent living 2 years ago and they have one that all the residents are required to wear. It only works on the property so I had her keep the Bay Alarm one for when she goes off campus or travels. I've been happy with them. The price has crept up over time - now around $35/mo I think, but worth it for piece of mind.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Warner
Report

For our Father-In-Law we got him a Kanega Watch. It's a bit more expensive than a pendant, but he could wear it everywhere (including in the shower) and he never had to take it off to charge. Most importantly, he really liked wearing it (since it's actually a real watch), which provided great peace of mind for the whole family. He fell a couple of times and the watch worked as advertised. He could also activate the alert system with his voice or just pushing the side button. Super simple even for folks afraid of tech. Definitely worth checking out. All the best in your journey.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Livingsum
Report

We used Great Call, which is now Lively, with my dad and had success for the most part. He cooperated with wearing the pendant , it detected falls and he pushed the button sometimes when he needed help. The operator asked him who he wanted called from 911 to a list of relatives. I will add, the one time he fell and was on the floor for over 12 hours, the pendant was on the charger, so useless. Dad didn’t have any dementia which helped with cooperation and remembering to use it most all the time
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Daughterof1930
Report

Having been down this road with a very elderly Aunt who lived in SE Florida in her home and I am in MN. At some point my Aunt stopped wearing the device: should couldn't accept that it was ok to wear it in the shower, and also she just began forgetting to wear it. Just saying to not get a false sense of security because this is a new "technology" for your Mom so if she needs to do anything when she falls (like simply just pressing the button) which seems to easy and simple... it may not be to your LO. Even if you got a wrist device, she has to remember to keep it on, even in the shower.

Honestly, the best solution may be a nice AL community, maybe even near where you live. Her care needs won't decrease. Once a senior falls, it usually starts a cascade of related issues that you will need to manage, if you are her PoA.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to Geaton777
Report

when my parents were still living at home we used Medical Guardian. I chose this company because they had very good reviews. They each wore a pendant. The system was very easy to set up. We used the service a couple of times for EMS.

when my father went into LTC with my mother home alone I upgraded to the fall alert option.

it worked out well. It was inexpensive and gave us some peace of mind. .
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Hothouseflower
Report

Wow, there are so many.
I haven't used it, but do know that Lively has one. You should look online for theirs and for a general internet search of "medical alert devices".
We have had many questions her and if you want to review answers for devices people like a lot, do go to the timeline, use the search bar and type in "medical alert devices".
You will see answer from folks who liked one or another.

If you are tech savvy have you considered the possibility of in home cameras that you can check daily to see what Mom's up to and whether she seems to be thriving? These now are so easy to monitor with smart phones. Not cheap but worth it I would think.

Best of luck to you.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to AlvaDeer
Report

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter