Staying Connected to Those Who Care

For those in the market for high-tech help today, the quick guide below is a start. A little gadgetry can go a long way to answering some needs. For more advice, consult a doctor, your Area Agency on Aging, or a geriatric-care manager, a professional who’s versed in how to encourage older folks’ independence by keeping them connected.

SOS BUTTONS            

PROBLEM:

One third of older adults suffer a fall each year. About a fourth of those who fall lose some independence due to injury.

SOLUTION:

Remember “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up”? That line from a TV ad for the Lifecall medical-alert system became fodder for comedy almost 20 years ago. But now that about a third of older folks live alone—11 million Americans over 65—the emergency pendant is far from a joke. It’s more like the herald of a lifestyle revolution.

PRODUCTS:

While adding grab bars and night-lights or using a walker can reduce the likelihood of a fall, any adult who wants added security should consider an SOS button. It’s essentially a wireless hotline to help. You wear the call button around the neck or wrist or clipped to clothing. If injured or ill, press it to reach a 24-hour dispatcher who will notify a relative, a caregiver, or 911, as needed.

There are many brands on the market, and service plans vary, so it pays to compare. Philips Lifeline costs up to $75 initially, plus $1 a day for monitoring (800-543-3546; www.lifelinesys.com). Rescue Alert lets you rent or buy; monthly rental is $29 (800-688-9576; www.rescuealert.com). Walgreens has Ready Response, which is $35 a month after an initial $35 fee (866-310-9061; www.walgreens.com, search for “Ready Response”). ADT Companion Service is $99 for setup, plus $35 a month—and less for AARP members (800-209-7599; www.adt.com or www.aarp.org/adtcompanion).

A few insurers cover some services when they’re doctor-prescribed. Your doctor or local Area Agency on Aging may have information on subsidized fees for low-income users.

MEDICATION REMINDERS

PROBLEM:

Up to 40 percent of nursing home admissions result from an inability to take medicines at home unsupervised.

SOLUTION:

Pill boxes, pagers, vibrating watches, and dispensers that talk to you or alert a caregiver are all options for the common problem of forgetting to take a medication—or not remembering whether you already took it.

PRODUCTS:

You can find dozens of variations on the theme at E-Pill Medication Reminders (800-549-0095; www.epill.com) and www.forgettingthepill.com (877-367-4382). For example, the Multi-Alarm Pill Box and E-Z Set Timer ($49 from E-Pill) allows up to 37 daily alarms. For a less hectic schedule, the MedCenter talking pillbox, about $70, organizes a month’s worth of pills and alerts you four times a day (866-600-3244; www.medcentersystems.com). Perhaps the most expensive is the MD.2 Monitored Automatic Pill Dispenser ($899 from E-Pill), which both tells you when to take a dose and reports to a caregiver if you miss one.