Seeking Advice for a Purchasing a Fall Alarm for a Elderly Love One

JaymeRyan on 19/11/2024 - 17:06
Last edited 20/11/2024 - 09:43

I have an elderly parent that keeps falling and is often home alone when my father works. She is legally blind, on dialysis, frail and weak. I do not live at the home but do visit every second day. We do have 12 cameras and watch her using the application on the mobile.

Fortunately, my mother was able to call my sister via SIRI on her Apple Phone. My sister rushed home from work to pick her up. I am seeking advise on what type of fall alarm I can get her.

1) Get an apple watch
2) Get a mobile 4G Fall detector Alarm

I would like something that is GPS enabled, has long battery life and is easy to use (good for people with limited mental capacity)

What is your experience with fall detectors and what advice would you give me?

We last purchased this device in 2022 but the battery isn't that great https://www.harveynorman.com.au/opel-mobile-safety-pendant-4…

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • frondono on 19/11/2024 - 17:10
    +1

    Is she on a home care package? The agency can provide one if she is.

    • JaymeRyan on 20/11/2024 - 09:37

      She is not on a home care package but is on the NDIS.

      Thanks for your feedback.

  • this is us on 19/11/2024 - 17:20
    +2

    More than a fall detector, you probably have to work on fall prevention, including make sure that the environment is appropriate for her (remove rugs and other hazards, install strong handrails, etc.), educate the elderly to use walker or whatever she might need to avoid falls, etc.
    If she has a bad fall and break her leg, having an alert system and watching her falling through the cameras won't necessarily change the outcome (although it can obviously help with initial emergency care).

    • JaymeRyan on 20/11/2024 - 09:38

      Thank you, we are engaging with a physiotherapist and OT for assistance.

  • sam-1966 on 19/11/2024 - 17:33
    +2

    Apple is probably the simplest as it works in with the iPhone. If she always has her phone with her, it can blue tooth to her phone and use data from that.

    Are there other health issues, such as cardiac? I got mine for sleep, cardiac and pulmonary monitoring, so I do charge it every day. Doctors can download information from the health app on the phone.

    If I wasn't using it for these reasons, my daughter would have recommended a Garmin as they have really good battery life.

    • JaymeRyan on 20/11/2024 - 09:39

      She has cardiac issues. So I am looking for an Apple watch with Cardiac monitoring, may get one if we can afford it.

      Thanks for your feedback.

      • sam-1966 on 21/11/2024 - 13:36

        When I compared them, the S model (seemed to between 9 and 10) was on some good sales - but when I looked into functionality, it didn't have nearly as much health monitoring as the others.

        I ended up with the 10, the 42mm one. This may be another issue - it is quite large.

        Go to the Apple Store, that way she can try them on and then help with setup. I purchased on-line so didn't 'need' an appointment for collection and setup - just rocked up and was served as it was a pickup. I was told at the time that they could swap the band I'd chosen etc and if wasn't happy could get a refund.

  • bargaino on 19/11/2024 - 17:36
    +2

    A watch may be useful if your father can charge it daily for her.

    What might be better than a fall alarm is something that alerts you when there is no movement. Falls do not always trigger alarms.

    • JaymeRyan on 20/11/2024 - 09:39

      This is a good idea. Father can charge it every day.

      Thanks for your feedback.

  • this is us on 19/11/2024 - 17:55

    AFAIK Garmin watches only have fall detection during activities, not 24/7. The Instinct 2S has good battery life around 20 days.

    Any watch whose battery doesn't last at least one week will be completely useless for this purpose, particularly because you have to remove the watch to charge. Anyone recommending such devices to an elderly woman who is "legally blind, frail and weak" has completely missed the point.

    After Googling:

    https://safelife.com.au/product/falls-detection-watch-medica… (3-day battery, not great)
    https://www.personalalarms.net.au/suresafego-anywhere-alarms… (2-3 day battery, not great)
    https://www.tunstallhealthcare.com.au/fall-detector-pendants - different options and packages, probably a good place to start

  • sumyungguy on 19/11/2024 - 19:48
    +1

    This alarm was suggested by my OT but they don't know any actual users. In my experience with fall detection iPhone users will find an Apple Watch to be a wholly satisfactory solution. Android users may consider Galaxy Watch 6 or Pixel Watch 2 which I understand detect falls.

    • JaymeRyan on 20/11/2024 - 09:41

      Thanks for your feedback.

  • CheapskateQueen on 19/11/2024 - 19:51

    buy a proper service designed for the elderly and not an Apple/Garmin etc

    i would go for a pendant for your mum, that she wears around her neck. you can get one's that a waterproof, fall detect, gps etc

    you can also get ones that have 24hr assistance for an annual subscription

    https://vitalcall.com.au/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAi_G5BhD…

    my mum has this https://livelifealarms.com.au/product/order-4g-mobile-watch-…

    i don't think it's suitable for your mum though. its super sensitive and constantly triggers fall alert and she has to manually cancel it

    by the sounds of it though, your mum is ready for an aged care home where they can look after her full time. falls are a serious risk to her

    • JaymeRyan on 20/11/2024 - 09:41

      Thanks for your feedback.

    • sumyungguy on 19/11/2024 - 20:18

      Indeed, they're legacy products still being purchased by the unwary. Wearables with hardware accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer and barometer are measurably superior.

      • this is us on 20/11/2024 - 09:52

        Technologically yes, but having to remove the device/watch to charge every night is bizarre. It might be ok for an adult who benefits from the watch during the day and leave it charging overnight, but for an elderly who might fall going to the toilet at night and is unlikely to remember charging the watch daily, it's just not a solution.
        I'm not an elderly yet, but I find having to charge those devices every day is unacceptable, the reason why I have a Withings Horizon (~30 day battery) and a Garmin Instinct 2 (~20 day battery). Obviously, I deactivate everything that I don't want to extend battery as much as possible, including regular O2 saturation and message notifications (I only want to see my messages when I check my phone, not 24/7).

        • sumyungguy on 20/11/2024 - 09:55
          +1

          There are so many tasks we have to do daily, like phone charging so an extra device is readily accommodated. Devices that last for many days inevitably run flat. I know so many elderly and disabled people with Apple Watches and charging just isn't an issue for them. The only have to schedule a 60 minute time slot.

          • sam-1966 on 21/11/2024 - 13:38

            @sumyungguy: I just put mine on charge when we are watching TV at night - that way it is fully charged before I go to bed - and charging is very fast.

            But you will need a charging plug if you don't already have a USB-C charger.

  • try2bhelpful on 20/11/2024 - 18:52
    +1

    https://www.seniorsguide.com/senior-safety/apple-watch-for-seniors/#:~:text=Apps%20like%20ElderCheck%20Now%20(free,OK%20by%20pressing%20a%20button.

    Check what apps are available in Australia

    https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/watch/apd6b2bcdb19/wat…

    I think you should be able to remotely monitor her health statistics as well.

    I would talk to the Genius Bar about what the watch can do and her doctor on what information is helpful.

    Best of luck with this.

  • Chris Topher on 20/11/2024 - 21:35
    +1

    I've had a SureSafe Fall Alarm for some years (3G/4G) and 12 months back invested in a Samsung Watch 5 (the fancy one with hot & cold water, an inbuilt sweat towel but mainly acquired as a fall detector backup for the SureSafe.

    The SureSafe has been reliable but I charge it nightly when I bed down. I wear the watch 24/7 unless charging [TWICE A DAY]. Really chews through the battery.

    I have had falls and depending on exact circumstances one or the other detected the fall. I carry the SureSafe in a trouser/pants fron pocket, not ideal but, both also have a panic button optin.

    SureSafe also has supporto

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