My husband and I are alone (no family). It occurred to me the other day, if something happened to me, even if my husband were to have the presence of mind to call 911, he has the worst time with our address. We only have cell phones, and live in a pretty rural area, so I’m not sure the fire dept, police etc could locate us quickly. I’m afraid if I put out a sheet of paper in every room with our address, that will go unnoticed.
Any suggestions?
Is there a senior center or council on aging near you? or a county health department or senior resources on line? Or stop by the police/fire departments - any of these resources may know of a system that works, or have some other suggestions.
That rural beauty and privacy does become a bit more of a mixed blessing with age, I'm afraid.
Truer words were never spoken, unfortunately.
I like the idea of an alert pendant (assuming it would work where you are located). I would definitely check in with your local response group (fire, police, EMT) and get their input for a solution. They don't want to be driving around looking for your house knowing that you are in a medical emergency situation either!
I made this arrangement with my MIL's neighbor and showed gratitude by giving her gift cards to restaurants and stores. I also gave the neighbor a gc to their grocery store and Target so that if my MIL needed anything and the neighbor was going to the store for themselves, they could also pick up my MIL's needed items. It worked well.
The company I did select had for years provided home safety devices, alarms, etc. and was already set up to provide life alert services. Dad's device alerted their HQ if he even leaned over. Their response as prompt. I was listed as first to be contacted if they couldn't reach Dad, then Fire Dept. and/or Police.
They were so persistent that after one episode, they continued to call, even past midnight. Apparently Dad's pendant alerted them after he bent over, while we were already at the hospital.
I had no complaints, only complements.
2. Get an exterior locking device that contains a key and opens by numerical code. If you have neighbors that you trust, even in a remote area, you could give them the numeric code. I gave Dad's to the Fire and Police Departments. It worked out well, b/c by the time I could get to his house, EMS had typically already prepared him and he was in the ambulance ready to go.
But have the device installed by a carpenter or someone who knows how to attach something to exterior wood, to ensure that it can't be removed. And the issue of removal is why we didn't select a device that slipped over a door knob. I already had one, but tested it over a door knob, and know that had I persisted, I could have gotten it off.
3. We also had sensor lights installed so that anyone walking close to the house would be illuminated. That was just as much for the first responders as it was to highlight any critters that might get too close to the house.
4. Another good idea is to create a list of both of your medical insurance policy numbers, emergency contacts (if any), health conditions, meds, surgeries, doctors and preferred hospitals.
Some Police and Fire Departments in our area have preprinted lists; apparently some folks put them on the frig door so first responders know where to look.
In my case, the garage has a keypad to open the garage door and the company that I chose for my life alert pendant has that code to give to the 911 providers should they be called. I have the life alert pendant that automatically goes off if I suddenly drop down for any reason. I have had some bad falls in my life; no broken bones yet, but I do worry about that. I live in a family home with my daughter and family, but I'm alone most of the day. I also have direct access to the back yard which can be reached by going through the gate and around to the back of the house. The pendant will work if I am away from home, but I must take the special electronic piece with me that can send or receive any emergency signal my pendant sets off. I do take that with me when I leave the house. I still drive myself, mostly in town at this time, but I feel safer knowing I can contact someone for help if needed. My cell phone isn't always in reach when I'm driving or out for a walk. The pendant sends out a GPS signal so the emergency workers can find me.
You might want to leave a key with a trustworthy neighbor, but don't count on them being around for emergencies. Just let them hold an extra key in case one is needed for non-life-threatening reasons.
My parents had the emergency pendants, but forgot to use them. When my father fell and lay on the floor for nearly 2 hours without help, my brother made signs with large lettering that said "PUSH THE BUTTON ON YOUR PENDANT" and put them all over the house, down near the floor, up near the ceiling, on the back of chairs, etc, but that was back in 2009/2010 when the pendant I now have wasn't available. That's another reason I wanted the pendant that automatically calls for help if it registers a sudden drop. You should wear it in the shower as well. They're waterproof.
Good luck. You'll feel better once this is set up.
Agree, and in favor of a landline to call 911, because your address shows up.
I could have my dH draw a clock okay, but he cannot give his address correctly.
And he was never good at giving his age. He would never be calling 911, or for any help whatsoever.
Many years ago, when Search & Rescue was looking for Dh after not coming back after a bike ride into the forest, they asked us to alert any friends he might call (instead of 911). This worked, he did call a friend, who told us where he was, and he was found, brought back in a sheriff's car at midnight.
The Search & Rescue knew something we didn't, and that was the tendency of some to call a friend instead of 911.
Maybe instruct your dH to call a specific friend in emergency? Sounds like a long shot, huh.
Second, consider investing in an Apple Watch (if you have iPhones) or the equivalent for Android if that's the kind of phone you use. We just got my husband an Apple Watch last week specifically for if he fell and no one is around to help him. The watch will detect the fall and call 911. Target and WalMart sell them and if your cell phone is always near you, the watch will use the data connection of your cell phone (bluetooth) rather than you having to purchase additional service for the watch. Or you can buy one through your cell phone provider and let the watch have its own additional line for a monthly charge. But it was a guy at my cell phone provider that whispered to me, "You don't need another line. Just go to Target and get a watch, use bluetooth."
So I called , but at time I don't remember if I dialed 911 or our local PD directly, using my cell phone. I reached a PD probably 40-50 miles away. Even after explaining the situation, the responder was reluctant to transfer the call. Finally she agreed to contact the local PD.
I wouldn't use a cell phone again in that kind of emergency. At least land lines have numbers that can indicate where a house is located. And I also have tape on the back of the cell phone with the local PD number.
That way, they will have the information in case of emergency.
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