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Old 01-20-2015, 03:51 PM
 
146 posts, read 162,196 times
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I purchased Mobile Help for my dad (89, still drives... remarkably well). It works via a wrist band or pendant within 300 feet of the base station and then via cellphone/gps when he is out and about. I can track him on the web as well! $41.00 a month. My stress level dropped dramatically after this was up and running.

Last edited by northwesty; 01-20-2015 at 03:54 PM.. Reason: correction
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Old 01-23-2015, 01:06 AM
 
33,016 posts, read 27,388,296 times
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"My finances have fallen and they can't get up." (TM)
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Old 01-23-2015, 01:13 AM
 
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As much as I like the concept of these systems, in reality - in my experience - they're worthless unless your loved one is the rare one who has all mental faculties intact and is also not a prideful person.
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Old 01-24-2015, 06:33 AM
 
Location: Verde Valley AZ
8,775 posts, read 11,878,841 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by biscuitmom View Post
As much as I like the concept of these systems, in reality - in my experience - they're worthless unless your loved one is the rare one who has all mental faculties intact and is also not a prideful person.
I have, more or less, come to the same conclusion. I gladly paid for my mom's Life Alert and I knew she would be able to use it, if need be. However, I hadn't counted on something like a massive stroke where it happened so fast she probably didn't have time to even think about pushing that button let alone doing it. So, yes, it works fine if you've "fallen and can't get up" but maybe not so much otherwise.

When Mom passed away the Life Alert people were very good about cancelling the contract. I had to get all the equipment back to them before they would, of course. They didn't refund any money though. I paid on the 3rd of the month and Mom went in the hospital on the 8th so never had access to it again.
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Old 01-24-2015, 06:52 AM
 
Location: Los Angeles area
14,017 posts, read 20,869,471 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by northwesty View Post
I purchased Mobile Help for my dad (89, still drives... remarkably well). It works via a wrist band or pendant within 300 feet of the base station and then via cellphone/gps when he is out and about. I can track him on the web as well! $41.00 a month. My stress level dropped dramatically after this was up and running.
I can understand how much peace of mind you must derive from the arrangement. But looking at it from the opposite end of things (from the point of view of your father), I would hate to be monitored like a small child. Where I go, or when, is none of anyone's business. Maybe in 19 more years when I am 89 (in the unlikely case I live that long) I'll feel differently but right now the very idea of it gives me the creeps big time.
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Old 01-24-2015, 09:21 AM
 
146 posts, read 162,196 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Escort Rider View Post
I can understand how much peace of mind you must derive from the arrangement. But looking at it from the opposite end of things (from the point of view of your father), I would hate to be monitored like a small child. Where I go, or when, is none of anyone's business. Maybe in 19 more years when I am 89 (in the unlikely case I live that long) I'll feel differently but right now the very idea of it gives me the creeps big time.
First of all, he is aware of that feature and is fine with it.

Now let me give you an example of why this is a valuable feature and one of the major reasons we purchased it.

My father lives alone in the house he and my late mother built 1949 and takes pride in continuing to do maintenance around the place. He cooks his meals and does the housework. He is 89 and I marvel at his overall health (he takes NO prescription medications). He is a WW2 vet and very stubborn and independent. As I mentioned, he still drives. My sister and I call my father regularly to check on him and he would occasionally not answer the phone, with repeated attempts. We would call his cell phone, but if he was driving or visiting with friends he often can't hear it ring, or it is in his coat pocket which is hanging in a friends coat closet. So prior to having this system I would have to interrupt what I was doing, get in to my car (my sister lives 60 miles away) and drive the 8 miles to his house to check on him. I would almost always find him gone--shopping, or out visiting with friends--or outside working in his garden, mowing the lawn etc., So back in the car and home to resume what I was doing.

This was happing a lot, and now has been almost completely eliminated. I have peace of mind and he is no longer upset that he caused stress for my sister and I. It works. Very well.

I am sorry you are "creeped out" about it. I can give you many more things in the world to be creeped out about if you are interested and you are keeping a list.

Last edited by northwesty; 01-24-2015 at 09:31 AM..
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Old 01-24-2015, 10:44 AM
 
48,505 posts, read 96,675,147 times
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So I would think this type of person would not even answer the phone when say a daughter is check on welfare either. There is no helping some but that was not the question in first place.
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Old 01-24-2015, 12:02 PM
 
2,429 posts, read 4,010,529 times
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Quote:
Why doesn't the Townandcountrygal Agency want to pay for this for her sister? I think that would be a marvelous idea.
Quote:
My mom's Life Alert costs me $50 mo. and I don't consider that "too expensive", especially for the peace of mind it gives all of us.
Why is anyone questioning the OP about paying for this? The question was does anyone know of "agencies/programs that would help pay for this?" It's not anyone's business to speculate or ask the OP's finances at all. And if the OP says s/he wishes s/he could, but it's too expensive then the person would if s/he felt s/he could afford it. Why come back and say "well it's not too expensive" for me? That's YOU. Maybe you CAN afford it. But clearly the OP can't so leave it that.

IF there's a program that the OP's sister qualifies for then it's there for that purpose. Geez.
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Old 01-24-2015, 12:35 PM
 
146 posts, read 162,196 times
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The OP said it would cost 70 dollars a month for a system. There are less expensive alternatives which some people shared. I agree, if s/he cannot afford the cost s/he is under no obligation to do so and s/he should not be questioned about it, but if s/he can find something affordable it might work.. if there is no government subsidy available.
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Old 01-24-2015, 05:22 PM
 
14 posts, read 17,969 times
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One phone that works well for some without a monthly fee is called Freedom Alert. The agency where I used to work would recommend this phone to people who could not afford or who did not want a Lifeline type of phone with a monthy fee. I believe you can purchase such a phone from Amazon or from Max-Aids.
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