"Have you had experience with a Medical Alert Monitor?"

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  Posted: Feb 17, 2010 04:32 PM

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  Boom Staff

  New York, NY

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  Boomerater wants to know about your experience with a medical alert monitoring system. Many of us worry about an older family member or friend who lives alone with a medical condition. "I've fallen and I can't get up!" has been drilled into the collective Boomer conscience long before we thought we'd ever need to know about these products. Have you or a family member tried a medical alert monitor? If so, which one did you use and what were the results? Did the monitor provide peace of mind? Were there problems associated with its use? Would you recommend it to others? Did you have trouble convincing a loved one to try it, and if so, how did you persuade them?

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  Posted: Feb 19, 2010 11:48 AM
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  Joy Griffin

  Naperville, IL

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  Life Alert, Lifeline, and Always There are 3 good response companies I know people who use, and have been happy with them. Some wear a bracelet, many wear the button on a necklace. The systems have a monthly fee, and do need to be checked regularly. So if you get one, don't just say "Oh, I have one now" and forget about it. If it's not checked and working, it's just like not having one at all.

  It is also wise to notify your local police department if your friend or family member has a condition such as Alzheimer's disease. Hiring an in-home health company, like Home Instead Senior Care, is also a good option in conjunction with an emergency response system. Even a once-a-week visit with a caregiver can help with keeping your loved one safe at home.