wondering if a medical alarm was a good alternative

[hunter480]

My grandfather is 73 years old. He's active, healthy, and happy but we worry about his safety and the fact that he lives alone. We're trying to get him into an assisted living facility so we don't worry as much but he's fighting it. I was wondering if a medical alarm was a good alternative for a live in nurse or assisted living and if anyone has had any experience with this type of service.Any advice would be appreciated. Jean

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

If you mean one of those "help I've fallen and can't get up" alarms, they only work if the person is compliant with their use. They are only good for summoning help either on the phone or by having rescue come, so certainly if the person fell and needed help it would be a good thing. But you have to be cognitively aware of what the 'button' does and when to press it. My mom had one and every day the company called her house to make sure she was okay. One day they called when she was in the bath room. Of course she didn't answer so instead of waiting a few minutes and calling her back, they called the 1st name on the list--her next door neighbor. The neighbor ran over to see if my mom was okay. My mother was so embarrassed and so mad, she threw the button AND the call base into the middle of the street. Long story but you get the point. If the person wants the alarm and knows how to use it, it is great in an emergency. But if your family member really needs help with ADLs or Med management, the alarm would be useless. Good luck.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

ccm, your story just cracked me up! Sounds like something my mom would do.