Any experience with Life Alert

[dave1949]

It's never difficult from a physical standpoint, for my EMS crews to enter a locked door - we'll have it open in about 5 seconds. There is a psychological barrier to breaking a window or popping a door, however. I always am second guessing - what if it's the wrong house, or a false alarm?

"Key under the planter"....which planter? There may be 5 of them on the porch. My suggestion is a Knox Box with a key inside. In my department, the engine and the rescue both have Knox keys on them so we can access the box.

Knox Box sounds like a good way to go rather than getting a combination.

I think the second guessing enters into it. People don't want to bust up someone's door or break a window if they can avoid it, and it's an address that has a history of calls that turn out to be non-life threatening. It could probably be better managed by our local VFD/EMS but that's above my retired guy-volunteer helper pay grade.

It's darn good info for the OP to consider.

 

[Sigarms]

Nothing is fool proof.

Agreed, but simpler the better. One push of a single button, someone is able to talk to you, and if you can't speak back to the person, they know where you are at, and will call for the proper help if you can't respond. THAT'S what I'm looking for.

My father found my mothers sister (widow, no children) dead in her (sisters) house some years back (happened to be my Godmother as well). She apparently was dead for more than a couple of days, and from what my father had said, it looked like it was painful. Fact is, no one was there to help her, and God only knows how long she was by herself with no one around. I can handle my father dying, but I don't want it to be when he needs help and can't get it (fact is, we bought our house with a furnished basement so dad could move in years ago and that plan didn't work out LMAO). The only thing I can do is take precautions. I was lucky enough to catch a flight and see my mom the last day she was alive and talk to her. We figured my dad wouldn't make it a year without her, BUT I promised mom that I would look after my father. That's why I tell my dad I'm a pain in his arse sometimes LOL

My father was just telling me today his golfing buddies were having some beers after a round and were wondering about him and called him. He had a pretty big smile on his face talking about the call. I realize his day to day life isn't with me, but with his friends as long as he feels like he's up to it. He still feels up to it.

 

[txdon]

How do the life alerts send the signal? Can it still operate where a cell phone cannot when traveling? Out here a verizon signal cannot get out but an AT&T can.

 

[dave1949]

Agreed, but simpler the better. One push of a single button, someone is able to talk to you, and if you can't speak back to the person, they know where you are at, and will call for the proper help if you can't respond. THAT'S what I'm looking for.

I'm all for doing what you can to improve the odds. I don't mean to sound negative about that. Just saying it comes with unforeseen complications and trying to give some examples to help you avoid them.

It would be good to speak with who ever is running the emergency responder service in your Dad's location. Find out what their procedures are, and if there is whatever you can do to facilitate the best results.

 

[GPintheMitten]

How do the life alerts send the signal? Can it still operate where a cell phone cannot when traveling? Out here a verizon signal cannot get out but an AT&T can.

It's my understanding that these devices are short range and communicate to a base station attached to your home phone. It would typically cover you in the house and possibly in your own yard.

 

[Sigarms]

It's my understanding that these devices are short range and communicate to a base station attached to your home phone. It would typically cover you in the house and possibly in your own yard.

My understanding from Alert one is that the device you could wear around your neck is the signal device to denote you're in trouble, also the communication device where you would talk to a "command center" of some sort, as well as a GPS device to give those you're talking to a location to where you are at, so they can call the proper people. This is from thier "GPS" unit.

 

[murphy1244]

My Mother has the Life alert and it saved her life twice. It calls emergency and I get a call. She also uses the key box and some kind of kit with info she keeps on the fridge door.

 

[GPintheMitten]

My understanding from Alert one is that the device you could wear around your neck is the signal device to denote you're in trouble, also the communication device where you would talk to a "command center" of some sort, as well as a GPS device to give those you're talking to a location to where you are at, so they can call the proper people. This is from thier "GPS" unit.

Ok, I was only familiar with their home model. I see they now also offer a mobile device.
From their site "You can take it anywhere in the country with T-Mobile cellular coverage and we’ll get you help if you need it."

 

[txdon]

It's my understanding that these devices are short range and communicate to a base station attached to your home phone. It would typically cover you in the house and possibly in your own yard.

If you are in an area where there is no land line or driving the alert is useless?

 

[newbury]

How do the life alerts send the signal? Can it still operate where a cell phone cannot when traveling? Out here a verizon signal cannot get out but an AT&T can.

In my area in Mississippi AT&T is spotty, verizon is better and T-Mobile is useless.

Ok, I was only familiar with their home model. I see they now also offer a mobile device.
From their site "You can take it anywhere in the country with T-Mobile cellular coverage and we値l get you help if you need it."

If you can get T-Mobile.

Agreed, but simpler the better. One push of a single button, someone is able to talk to you, and if you can't speak back to the person, they know where you are at, and will call for the proper help if you can't respond. THAT'S what I'm looking for.

My father found my mothers sister (widow, no children) dead in her (sisters) house some years back (happened to be my Godmother as well). She apparently was dead for more than a couple of days, and from what my father had said, it looked like it was painful. Fact is, no one was there to help her, and God only knows how long she was by herself with no one around. I can handle my father dying, but I don't want it to be when he needs help and can't get it (fact is, we bought our house with a furnished basement so dad could move in years ago and that plan didn't work out LMAO).

That's how my Grandfather passed in about '78. Within 100 yards of the house, fell in deep grass because of a blood clot in his leg. Wasn't discovered until many hours later, clot went to his brain and killed him. If he had a Life alert thingy he would have lived probably another 20 years.

 

[GPintheMitten]

I would think with smartphones there would be a good app with a wireless panic button integrated with it. I did a quick search in the playstore and was not impressed with the little I found. Anyone know of a good app?

 

[Sigarms]

Ok, I was only familiar with their home model. I see they now also offer a mobile device.
From their site "You can take it anywhere in the country with T-Mobile cellular coverage and we値l get you help if you need it."

Apparently the T-mobile coverage is supposed to be great, and I guess work with other towers (however the cell companies work that out). I was told that in the event that cell coverage was not available, the call would go directly to a 911 operator who would be able to pick up the location of the device. I'm scratching my head on that one.

That said, it seems unless you go with a true satellite signal (God only knows how much that could run), wireless coverage it's going to be.

First up is the doc's approval down here for him to make the 8hr drive by himself first...

 

[txdon]

First up is the doc's approval down here for him to make the 8hr drive by himself first...

I don't see a doctor making that decision. If anything medically happens is he liable? Will you blame him? He can only tell you what happen and what he did. He cannot predict the future. I think the best he will be able to do is examine your father and tell you the results of his assessment. The decision is up to your father until it is legally given or taken or coaxed away.

If he does decide to drive you might want to increase the liability insurance to as much as he/you can afford.

 

[Sigarms]

I don't see a doctor making that decision. If anything medically happens is he liable? Will you blame him? He can only tell you what happen and what he did. He cannot predict the future. I think the best he will be able to do is examine your father and tell you the results of his assessment. The decision is up to your father until it is legally given or taken or coaxed away.

I went through that same "liable" crap when I asked the doctor what he would do with my mom as far as "pulling the plug". He told me legally he couldn't tell me what to do. I re worded the question in a very nice manner and he gave me his honest advice on what he would do if he were in the same position as I. I would like to think I could get the same advice for my father.

To answer your question, if I ask a man his professional opinion on something and he gives me his honest opinion, I would never hold it against him. I may not actually take the advice, but it would weigh in my decision making process.

Besides that, probably no matter what the doc says, my dad is driving home by himself because I'm not making the decisions for my father. That said, talking with my cousins, at least they're all on my side LOL

 

[txdon]

To answer your question, if I ask a man his professional opinion on something and he gives me his honest opinion, I would never hold it against him. I may not actually take the advice, but it would weigh in my decision making process.

Besides that, probably no matter what the doc says, my dad is driving home by himself.

Professionally I can only see a Doctor only advising against a certain activity based on his expertise. Anything else is just his personal opinion, not an opinion he would back his profession on. Think about how you will ask the question.

Doctor,
Is there any chance My father could have another stroke as he drives 8 hours?
What are the chances of my father having a medical issue while he is driving?
If this was your father would you let him do an eight hour drive by himself?

He should be only able to answer one of the questions above.

 

[Sigarms]

Professionally I can only see a Doctor only advising against a certain activity based on his expertise. Anything else is just his personal opinion, not an opinion he would back his profession on. Think about how you will ask the question.

Doctor,
Is there any chance My father could have another stroke as he drives 8 hours?
What are the chances of my father having a medical issue while he is driving?
If this was your father would you let him do an eight hour drive by himself?

He should be only able to answer one of the questions above.

Assuming the doctor in question has a father and loves him, the only answer I'd be looking for is for question #3

 

[Sigarms]

Not that it matters, went with Alert 1.

Life Alert came across as to push over the phone, added the fact that person I talked to misleaded me (IMO) on what they were telling me (that they were the only company who uses a satellite for GPS, when in reality they don't). Life Alert also "started out" at $1,200 per year for their "complete coverage" while I got them down to $700 for their "base" package, while with Alert 1 got their complete GPS coverage for $550 for 14 months. Also didn't have a 3 year contract with Alert 1. Life alert did tell me that I would get my money refunded to me if my father died, which was nice, but a million dollar insurance policy would of been a better carrot LOL

One thing I did find out that I wasn't aware of. Apparently if you have a "working" cell phone, ALL 911 calls will go through even if you have NO signal.

 

[newbury]

Not that it matters, went with Alert 1.

Life Alert came across as to push over the phone, added the fact that person I talked to misleaded me (IMO) on what they were telling me (that they were the only company who uses a satellite for GPS, when in reality they don't). Life Alert also "started out" at $1,200 per year for their "complete coverage" while I got them down to $700 for their "base" package, while with Alert 1 got their complete GPS coverage for $550 for 14 months. Also didn't have a 3 year contract with Alert 1. Life alert did tell me that I would get my money refunded to me if my father died, which was nice, but a million dollar insurance policy would of been a better carrot LOL

One thing I did find out that I wasn't aware of. Apparently if you have a "working" cell phone, ALL 911 calls will go through even if you have NO signal.

Glad you wrote!!
Hopefully this is true:

Watch this and remember 112 gets thru!
112 rolls to 911

 

[lockhaven]

"One thing I did find out that I wasn't aware of. Apparently if you have a "working" cell phone, ALL 911 calls will go through even if you have NO signal."
not entirely true the way it is worded, 911 calls will go through if you do not have a current contract or prepaid phone. NO cell signal nothing goes through, physically impossible. unless it is a satellite phone it must be in range of a tower.
The video came in after my message, my message is still correct you need a signal even if it is weak. A very good video with valuable information.