Spot - Usage

Wandering Sagebrush

Wandering Sagebrush

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Joined
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North East Oregon
C Dory Year
2005
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22 Cruiser
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Constant Craving
This is probably a bit OT, and I have not checked the Spot website, but does anyone have an opinion about an elderly adult using Spot for emergency notification. I was just changing some light bulbs for my dad, and saw a small hole in the wall. He tripped over his hall tree and they both went into the wall.

Does anyone have any experience with any of the other emergency notification devices? I know that some are designed for the elderly.

Steve
 
It would make a great item for the elderly except for the way the SOS button is covered to keep you from pressing it accidentally. Sort of like the child proof pill bottles. The kids can open them and I cannot. I have to uncover the button and press it with a pen or other pointed object.
 
Also in a home, the unit usually cannot see the satellite.
 
Have seen other devices for the elderly that would be better than a SPOT. I'm sure a google would find them.

Charlie
 
When we provided care for our father in law, we had a care giver stop by house starting with 2 hours per day then later, a full day along with twice a week PT person.
It took some time to locate a decent doctor specializing in the elderly and perform a full assessment several times per yr. I think it the fourth one and willing to work with him and us so he can stay at our home and have good quality of life. Comfort Keepers in our area provided the best care and service.
Some home care companies are owned and have business relationships with long term nursing facilities and will quickly steer to their facility and their recommendation does not agree with primary care physician.


Good luck
 
Steve,

There are much better devices out there than SPOT for what you are looking for. SPOT may be limited in it's indoor functionality. Might be good for out doors, for on the daily walk while away from the house or something, (If used in the tracking mode) but on SPOT (not SPOT II) the buttons are not covered, just may be confusing.

Try google for Life Alert, or Lifeline. I used to install "LifeLine" and it is a pretty foolproof system. Daily activity timer, and speaker on phone capability, (like ON STAR), and now they have a fall alert also. The monthly fee will be higher than SPOT, but it will be more of what you want.

I believe that most of their system is now monitored in a call center type base, but they do have a tiered response system, so that 911 is not necessarily the first call out. CAn be a neighbor, or you, or another friend, or depending on the alarm response -- 911.

As a disclosure, I used to install them when I worked for a small hospital in a rural community in Oregon. That was 25 years ago, and though I think the system is a good one, I have no financial interest there.

Link to LifeLine is here:
http://philips.lifelinesystems.com/cont ... bAod3kb6DQ

Also might check with your local Senior Services Center, Fire Rescue EMS Department, hospital social services, or a local Medical equipment provider such as Lincare may be able to point you in a good direction.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Thanks all!

Harvey, I think that Lifeline or LifeAlert is what we will look into. Dad is still on the go, but his balance is not what it used to be.

Kind Regards,

Steve
 
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