Use of technology to support independence

robjf

robjf

robjf

Soldato
Joined
31 Oct 2003
Posts
4,566
Location
Derby, UK
Good afternoon,

I am after information on different products/services etc to support my grandmother to continue to live independently. She is active and in pretty good health, however as a family, we are aware that we need to be keeping an eye on her more!

Yesterday, she had a stroke (which given her good state of health was a shock!) which has got me into thinking how we/technology can assist her without being intrusive or invasive. This event has shocked us as she was unable to alert anyone as she was unable to get to the phone in the hallway and she was not found until my mother and aunty made their daily trip to see her.

The thoughts ive had in my head so far are pager type devices, to notify my mother/father or aunty/uncle, who all live very close to her, via mobile or landline etc. I had also thought about wireless/internet enabled products which may fit the bill?

Any ideas would be great, from the standard services, to the more innovative. I litterally have no idea about this market, but am all of a sudden very interested.

Thank you for reading and for any advice you can give!
 
I'm pretty sure that you can subscribe for a service which provides people with a key fob to wear round their neck. If they have a fall etc, they press a button and it sends an alert to a monitoring team who then contact family/ambulance etc. The otherhalf's gran has one but I can't think of what it is called, sorry!
 
You could try something like this Yale Distress Alert System

We had one for my mum a few years back and although it is basic it does work, there are a couple of draw backs though.

The button is easy to catch when doing something so we had a couple of false alarms (better than not being able to press it though). And when the unit is dialing you it takes a while (a couple of minutes) after you hang up for the unit itself to hang up so dialing straight back can take a couple of attempts to check if it's a false alarm or not.
 
You should be able to get some form of help from Social Services. Don't worry it isn't a case of removing her from her home, but rather an assessment of her needs.

You've identified the 'care' alarms, either worn as a pendant or as a pull cord in each room. Many areas have a scheme where they have a central control room that monitors these alarms and notifies the local Police to attend if there is an emergency.

Secondly you can also get key safes, which bolt onto the wall outside the house. These are often fitted at the same time as the care alarms. You input a five figure code and it opens giving access to the front door keys/s - again allowing Emergency services entry without putting in the front door.

Investigate the possibility of getting a stair lift fitted - again some area Social Services will fit these for you.

Ensure neighbours, if trustworthy, have your contact details, I've lost count how many times I've sent to "concern for" jobs and made enquiries with neighbours only to be told "oh yes, her son, he's a nice chap visits every day but I don't know where he lives or what his telephone number is"!!!! Cue door going in....

Simply thing - doesn't involve technology - look for trip risks. You would be amazed how many elderly people are sparked out on the floor due to tripping over a mat in their hallway or kitchen. Look at what they can fall over and remove it.

Hope that helps a bit.
 
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