Communication aid for elderly.

Soldato
Joined
31 May 2009
Posts
21,505
Guys, I am looking for some assistance.
An elderly relative is wheelchair bound, and has a habit of guldering at the walls of the room in the hope that other family members either inside or outside of the house will hear him when he needs assistance.
There is often other background noises inside and outside close to the people who may hear him, and often his calls go unheard.
I am wondering if anyone has any ideas on a communication aid that would allow him to alert people he needed assistance, without having to resort to shouting.
When he isn't hear he gets very distressed, and then when someone goes to him a raging argument ensues with whatever person attends, regarding leaving him, not being there immediately, or ignoring him. It is stretching people very thinly.

I was wondering if some sort of press to talk (previous stroke), big buttoned, possible light and able to be worn round the neck device exists, that would link to one of more speakers.
The ability to chat back doesn't have to be critical, but might prove helpful. Almost like a walkie-talkie that someone with poor motor skills could use easily without having to reach or grab from a table.

Like a mic headset that hangs lightly round the neck connected to several speakers and with a press to talk function?

Suggestions please.
 
Unfortunately the first device is an emergency setup where a company will monitor an old person in case they get into problems.
They will alert 999 or a relative.
The second device is an emergency phone system to dial people. Again not what i was hoping for.

In this case, the people all live within the house, it like yelling at someone to make you a cuppa tea but they won't hear you.
 
Look into some raspberry pi projects for communication devices, you could probably make one quite easily that links to a smart phone app which could be used to alert the smart phone owner ?
 
Baby monitor?
Yup, we'd thought of this, but it would be always on and there is virtually always a radio or TV in that room, so the constant noise won't be appreciated at the other end of the speaker. Something like a baby monitor with a press to talk feature, preferably light, and able to wear around the neck, and have big buttons able to be used by stroke damaged hands.
 
Yup, we'd thought of this, but it would be always on and there is virtually always a radio or TV in that room, so the constant noise won't be appreciated at the other end of the speaker. Something like a baby monitor with a press to talk feature, preferably light, and able to wear around the neck, and have big buttons able to be used by stroke damaged hands.

Like I said, walkey talkey.
 
Almost like a walkie-talkie that someone with poor motor skills could use easily without having to reach or grab from a table.
Like a mic headset that hangs lightly round the neck connected to several speakers and with a press to talk function?

Yes Dis86 I said that myself too, but have you seen any round the neck push to talk easy to use by someone with a stroke versions of such devices?
 
Yes Dis86 I said that myself too, but have you seen any round the neck push to talk easy to use by someone with a stroke versions of such devices?

They operate on a single button and all come with lanyards. So yes. Every single walkey talkey ever.
 
Actually yes something like that might work well, could stick in a pocket or leave on a table. Sideways to what i was thinking but functionally might do the trick well.


From what I understand they're fully modular so you could have as many buttons and ringers as you want.
 
What about a simple wireless doorbell?

Sure it isn't a two way communication device but a simple press of a button, with some "ringers" around the main areas of the house to alert the house that said wheelchair bound person is in need of assistance?

EDIT: Looks like Diddums beat me to it!
 
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