Medical Alert Recommendation

[svetz]

I just started looking into a "wearable" for my mother-in-law... a ring/watch/pendant/? ... something she'll actually keep on her and through her cell phone can contact us. Nice (need?) to haves might be "fall detection", heart rate, O2 sensor, BP. The watches look pretty bulky, not sure she'd wear it day in/out.

Ideally it's something affordable without a monthly service fee. Anyone have any experience as to what look for or recommendations?
Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

Device/Service	One time Cost	Monthly Cost	Pros	Cons
Alexa	$30	$0	Nothing to wear Simple to use, Just call out No Batteries/recharging	Must be able to speak clearly/loudly (Stroke?) O2: No BP/Heart: No Fall Detection: No Other: needs WiFi, bluetooth Cellphone
Life Alert	$100	$20 to $50	Pendent	Must be worn/within reach O2: No BP/Heart: No Fall Detection: No Other: Needs WiFi
GreatCall	$50	$15	Watch	Requires recharging O2: No BP/Heart: No Fall Detection: No Other: needs WiFi, bluetooth, Cellphone
Medical Guardian	$180	$30 to $80	Watch	Requires recharging O2: No BP/Heart: No Fall Detection: Yes Other: needs bluetooth, Cellphone
Apple Watch 5	$380	$0	Watch	Must be worn/within reach Requires recharging O2: No BP/Heart: Yes Fall Detection: Yes Other: Needs Apple iPhone or iPad
Freedom Guardian	$40	$50	Watch	Must be worn/within reach Requires recharging O2: No BP/Heart: No Fall Detection: No Other:
Samsung Galaxy	$280	$0	Cellphone Watch	works from anywhere Must be worn/within reach Requires recharging, but has good battery life O2: No BP/Heart: Yes Fall Detection: No Other:
Care Predict	$450	$0	Watch Two-way Audio Supposedly can tell if they're eating, haven't gotten out of bed, sleeping and how well	works from anywhere Must be worn/within reach Requires recharging, but has good battery life O2: No BP/Heart: Yes Fall Detection: Yes Other:

 

[HRTKD]

My dad has Life Alert. I believe it is a necklace/pendant that he wears, when he remembers to wear it. They're pretty good about calling me when the home system can't sync up with them. It uses his WiFi I believe. I don't know what the cost is.

 

[svetz]

I'll setup a table in the OP to list systems, the costs, and any pros/cons you all come up with.

Life Alert: $50/month subscription + $100 setup fee

Not crazy about life alert, my mom had one and when she slipped in the shower and couldn't get up...naturally she wasn't wearing it. Probably a decent system, but I'd have trouble with this one.


What do you all think about Alexa? You can call out "Alexa call Svetz"... and it'll bluetooth call via her cellphone to mine.

 

[svetz]

I've also seen things like Samsung's SmartThings IoT use the motion sensors to send an SMS based on usual activity (e.g., parent goes to the bathroom at 3 AM, but doesn't return to bed or other motion detected in 20 min).

 

[sshibly]

I spoke the local PD and they said if you call of those "emergency devices" it take 5 mins or longer for them to contact the local PD and send dispatch help.
It is always faster to get help if you call 911 directly, is that the Chief said bluntly,

Maybe someone who is has experience in the area can comment on the above.

 

[svetz]

I'm still open to ideas. In the meantime, since they were so cheap with the Christmas sales, we got her an echo for her bedroom and and echo show for the living room (will set that up so we can "drop-in" if she's not answering the phone to at least get a picture of her kitchen/porch).

Still working at stuff at my mother-in-law's new house (if you didn't read the insulation or roofing threads the coal company condemned her valley and she's forced to move from where she's lived the last 60 years). I put the anti-slip stuff on the tile floors in the kitchen/bathroom. They're better, but not as anti-slip as I'd like. Previously if I did a Chubby Checker's style twist on dry floors the feet would slip an inch. Now they hold tight. Wet I'd practically fall over, now I spin 3 or 4 inches.

 

[sshibly]

I'm still open to ideas. In the meantime, since they were so cheap with the Christmas sales, we got her an echo for her bedroom and and echo show for the living room (will set that up so we can "drop-in" if she's not answering the phone to at least get a picture of her kitchen/porch).

Still working at stuff at my mother-in-law's new house (if you didn't read the insulation or roofing threads the coal company condemned her valley and she's forced to move from where she's lived the last 60 years). I put the anti-slip stuff on the tile floors in the kitchen/bathroom. They're better, but not as anti-slip as I'd like. Previously if I did a Chubby Checker's style twist on dry floors the feet would slip an inch. Now they hold tight. Wet I'd practically fall over, now I spin 3 or 4 inches.

Oh, I am sorry about your MIL's forced move.
iPhone are waterproof, and you can set them up so if you press the power button 3 times it calls out a set phone number like 911 etc.
The PD demonstrated that to us and that is something I need to do with my mother and her 2 older neighbors.

I suggested wearing the phone around the neck but it is heavy.