Monitored pendant-style personal assistance alarms

Sun 2 Nov, 13:26

Well, all credit to the vibrant Charlbury Forum. I step away for 24 hours and find a flood of generous advice on my return. Thanks too to those who direct messaged. Taking Care had been recommended to me so thank you to Nicolette, Heather and Christine in particular for some real-world experience. Dad's in fine mind, thankfully, and much like you, Nicolette, has personal experience of why it's a good thing to do. My brother has now taken up the reins on the search. Thanks again.

Sun 2 Nov, 07:56

It is very sensible of Miles to say one should be cautious of the sellers of products but John was seeking advice from users of the falls detectors and that is what I did before realising that I had a lot of questions I needed to ask the various suppliers before  deciding whether I wanted one and if so which. 

Sat 1 Nov, 19:46

Hi Christine. Wearables - watches and pendants - have their place. I have been recommending them for years, and, in fact, am a reseller of Taking Care products and rate them highly. 

Wearables cover the whole home and can go with you to the garden and away from home. They are a good choice for most people. 

However, I believe people need to understand their limitations, particularly when there are new products that can offer clever alternatives. 

I'm hoping that people might start talking about the new options available and plan ahead instead of just opting for the norm... especially when the realities are not always presented by those selling the products (Age UK in this case). 

Sat 1 Nov, 18:44 (last edited on Sat 1 Nov, 18:56)

Miles, Taking Care pendants can be worn on the wrist, including in the shower and in the dark at night. They are certainly not perfect, but the non-GPS versions of the pendants don't need charging, so I don't really understand these particular objections. Yes, dementia patients might not wear them consistently, and the GPS versions might not work well in all housing situations or for all people, but I don't know why anyone would need to remove the non-GPS version of the pendants at night, especially if they are worn on the wrist like a watch. 

If better technology comes along that would be great, but I think you are being unnecessarily negative about the pendants recommended by Age UK. The Silver Shield link that you provide seems quite misleading to me, as it is comparing types of radar detection that might be useful for care homes, but is less suitable for people living in their own homes. 

Silver Shield advertises itself as good for a 6m x 6m area, but the digital (non GPS) version of the Taking Care alarm uses motion sensors, and is given by Taking Care as up to 300 metres (984 feet) from the main alarm base unit, and that seems about right to me based on experience of the last couple of years.

I would also like to know how reliable is the data about how often people wear their alarms and how long they are worn before they are abandoned. I think this data might be for smart watches and fitness trackers -- at least that's what AI suggests. 

Sat 1 Nov, 17:00

Wearables definitely have their place, but the truth is most falls happen at night when people don't wear them. Or in the bathroom and shower. Or they don't get charged, or worn even in the day.

They usually have an 80% accuracy (if they are good), are worn usually 1/3 of each day at best, and 50% of people have abandoned them in 1 year.

There is a new set of mmWave tech monitors that are coming through that work in the dark, the shower, 24/7. They can even let you know if breathing or heartbeat change. 

https://spark-care.co.uk/silvershield/home-care/

If anyone has any questions about looking after yourself or a parent, please remember 'A Future at Home' is here to help - Miles - 07765 894 945, www.afutureathome.com

Sat 1 Nov, 09:46 (last edited on Sat 1 Nov, 16:25)

We used Taking Care for my mother. But again she did not have dementia. But their service was excellent.  Also they provided a return envelope when we no longer needed the equipment, as, I believe they re- use it, which was again reassuring in this throw away society.

Sat 1 Nov, 09:44

Stephen you make a very good point and it could be too late for some people but before I got dementia I knew  of friends who died horribly because they were not wearing their alarms and this upset me so much that I hope my brain is now programmed deep down to always wear it or have it within reach. Nothing in this world is foolproof and one can but do ones best

Sat 1 Nov, 08:47 (last edited on Sat 1 Nov, 09:32)

Yes taking care pendants are excellent BUT Harriets concerns are pertinent the wearer has to understand why they are wearing it. My wife who had dementia did not like wearing it and if I tried to hide it in her pocket would discard it.. The great advantage is that several people can be on alert call and the position of the wearer is GPS's to within metres from any where in the world. I used to get 'mock' responses from my son in Qatar or daughter in Geneva or grandson in Wales when I was testing it asking "what we were doing at the Rose and Crown at ten in the morning?"

Sat 1 Nov, 08:22

Wow!! It's reached the Forum: I must be a genius- somewhat late in life!,

Sat 1 Nov, 08:21

John. I have the answer for you but in this awful IT world and especially the Forum will this message get to you.? You and your father need Taking Care telephone 0800 012 1321. They are brilliant as I and several friends know. They have lots of different alarm for different problems. If your father is confined to his house and garden a simple one would do or he might need a super one which tracks his every move and for example if it knows he only spends 30minutes in the bathroom and it knows he has been in it for 1 hour it will check somehow whether he is ok. Because I still wander across fields mine covers the whole of the country it knows exactly where I am in a field and which is the best way for help to access the field and me in it and the operator can carry on a conversation with me at all times because it can access all air waves. I am certainly not explaining this at all well but Richard fairhurst will know how you can reach me. All good wishes to you and your father. Nicolette 

Fri 31 Oct, 17:43

We were given details of a company by dementia oxfordshire and social services. 

The biggest problem we had was getting my mother to remember to wear it, if dementia isn't an issue you might be ok. We ended up returning it as she'd forget to wear it or take it off and put it somewhere safe and then I think, because it hadn't moved in some time, they'd call and ask if she was ok. I can't remember precisely what the issue was. Also, I'm sure you've been told, in the case of a fall and the wearer being unable to press the alarm, they don't alert if the person slides over gently vs a sudden fall

Fri 31 Oct, 17:22

I contacted Age Concern and followed their advice when getting a fall alarm for my mother. 

Fri 31 Oct, 13:48

Hi John, I've messaged you directly.

I can help with things like this as part of A Future at Home, Charlbury's project to help older people stay in their homes for as long as possible.

www.afutureathome.com

Fri 31 Oct, 12:27

I was wondering if anyone could share any recommendations or experience of providers in Oxfordshire?  There are loads out there and I'm also speaking to the Council, but as I wade through options for my father I'm aware there's a wealth of experience and advice to be had on the Forum! Happy to be direct messaged too.  Thanks.