Help, I've fallen, and I can't get up...

December 11, 2008 6:58 AM

I need recommendations for a good "emergency autodialer" system for my grandmother. The general idea is that should she fall and break her hip (or whatever), she can hit a button on a pendant, and the system calls some preprogrammed numbers and delivers an emergency message. CTQs below...

What I am looking for is something that calls a couple of preprogrammed numbers FIRST before calling 911. AND that respond intelligently to voicemail - i.e., if it calls my cell and gets voicemail, it should continue down the list. The reviews I have read suggest that some systems do not have this feature. Some sort of feedback to the device "Press the pound key if you acknowledge this message" would be perfect, if that stopped the calling cycle.

Also, ideally in a "pendant" form (rather than a watch), and waterproof. Any suggestions?

posted by juliewhite to health & fitness (9 comments total)

This seems to be the standard, best known one; it was recommended by my aunt's occupational therapist. We haven't gotten it yet, though, so alas, no reviews. There are a ton of them; try googling for medical alert pendants and see what you get.
posted by mygothlaundry at 7:16 AM on December 11, 2008

Yes, Life line is the industry standard. They provide a pendant and/or bedside button, and a really good speakerphone. They call the client first to ask what the problem is. If they don't get a response from the client they call rescue/EMT and or relatives. It is a bit pricey. You may also be able to get a similar service from Brinks or ATT if you already have an alarm system.

FWIW Gungho's mum used to have it, but we stopped the service and provided her with a pre-programmed phone with speed dial.
posted by Gungho at 7:27 AM on December 11, 2008

I work with a local volunteer department, and when those Life Line pendants/bracelets are excellent. My wife's grandmother uses one as well.

From working with the VFD, I've learned that (at least around here) when the text message is delivered to the firemen, it includes the fact that someone pushed a Life Line button with name and address. It even includes the name of the person who us wearing the pendant.

From my grandmother-in-law's experience, they even check in every so often to make sure she is OK and the service is working. She'll be in her home (she is 90 and lives alone), and she will hear "Ms. Soanso, this is Life Line. Just making sure everything is OK.

I believe the service costs around $50/month. At least that is what someone in my church told me Tuesday.
posted by 4ster at 7:43 AM on December 11, 2008

sorry for the redundancy regarding name.
posted by 4ster at 7:44 AM on December 11, 2008

Clarification: I am NOT looking for a subscription based service. Rather - as the original question states - a system that calls some preprogrammed numbers - e.g., a neighbor, me, my sister, etc. - directly, and if it reached no one, calls 911 with a recorded message. Thanks...
posted by juliewhite at 8:13 AM on December 11, 2008

I am NOT looking for a subscription based service.

I doubt you'll find something like that. Autodialing of the police/fire/ambulance results in a lot of false alarms, so most communities have pretty hefty fines for direct autodialing. Hence the monitoring service which confirms the alarm, then calls the appropriate agency.
posted by electroboy at 8:46 AM on December 11, 2008

Also, mastering new and complex electronic devices is usually not the forte of people that require this sort of assistance.
posted by electroboy at 8:47 AM on December 11, 2008

You are looking for this X10-based autodialer. As far as the end user is concerned, it is just a heart-shaped pendant with a single button, and it can be set to flash the lights in the house, too.
posted by thejoshu at 9:42 AM on December 11, 2008

This question has some advice for such devices (further down past the medical alert services advice).
posted by bluefly at 10:01 AM on December 11, 2008