Hi all! I'm trying to find a personal alarm with fall detector that I can wear when I'm at home (including in the shower) and when I'm out and about. So far, I have only found one called a Buddi. At first, it seemed I'd found just what I was looking for, but then I found you have to be within 30m of your mobile phone and all communication following the alert comes via your mobile. I keep thinking that if I'm out, my mobile is in my bag and I would have to get it out to be able to speak to the operator or contact and to be able to hear their reply, so if I have to do that, what would be the advantage of having the alert button on my wrist? I might as well just use the phone anyway. I wonder if any of you have come across it or tried it? Or are there others out there that do a good job?
I'm looking for one as have lost consciousness a few times when at the start of a chest infection, although not feeling particularly unwell. I thought if I could get one that would work out in the community that would be even better.The Buddi has a GPS tracker which I also thought would be good as they can alert the emergency services of your location, so I suppose that would be an advantage.
These things cost a lot so need to get it right!
xx Moy
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I believe the falls team that are involved with my mum are swapping her emergency fob / necklace for a fall alarm. I presuming it’s only when she’s at home though.
I think most of them are, unfortunately. I really thought I'd found the ideal thing with the Buddi but I can't get past this idea that I wouldn't be able to communicate if my phone was in my bag. How did your Mum get referred to the falls team? Xx Moy
I've been pondering this for ages and have come to the conclusion that a good mobile phone using a carrier with the best coverage is best. Obviously it has no fall alarm but the GPS tracker is excellent . The iPhone Xr(s) sits in my trouser or jim-jams pocket comfortably so is always with me and in the shower is water- proof. Maybe you just need something to keep it on your body instead of in your bag?
There are waterproof pouches for phones, cameras etc, I bought mine from the RNLI Catalogue, that come with a cord for wearing round your neck. I got mine to keep my phone dry so I just keep it in my coat pocket and don’t use the cord but it did come with one. 👍
Hmm! I think that's the conclusion I'm coming to, Don. However, I am a bit reluctant to carry two bags ie one for my vertigo meds and plastic bags and wet wipes plus my inhaler (and money, keys etc) and then a second one for the phone. Womens pockets are always smaller than mens so I would be ok in cold weather when I wear a coat but not when the weather warms up. I don't know if my phone would be waterproof in the shower but have considered laying it on the bathroom floor so it would be in reach as that's where I seem to end up. I think it would be okay in a plastic bag. I fainted in the bedroom one time and my leg was underneath me. I couldn't get it free, couldn't roll over and couldn't stand up. Luckily my husband heard me and came to my aid. I really wished I had an alarm then as he had only just come back home and I could have been stuck there for ages. If I had the phone on me then it could have helped but it was in the kitchen as I can't have it on my person all the time. Hence my search for the right alarm system. I think maybe I need an indoor alarm and have my phone turned up to max volume when out with it. I will look at ways of keeping it more accessible, but you know what we ladies are like with handbags, I'm sure! Thanks for taking the time to reply and for Midges poem this morning. Xx Moy
I used to have a radio that was made for the shower so totally waterproof, and it had a big red button on the front that was an alarm. If you can still buy such things (it must have been about ten years ago that I bought it) although it didn't send any notification to anyone, it made a huge noise that would alert anyone in the house that you need assistance.
Otherwise you could try your phone in a waterproof pouch in the shower. They're designed to keep your phone dry when sailing or even if you drop it overboard (it's also supposed to be buoyant, though I've never put it to the test!)
Thank you. I have not heard of waterproof pouches until today. I'm open to all suggestions. Haven't heard of the radio before either. So much to consider. xx Moy
Try go outdoors or something similar for waterproof pouches
Hi MoyB, it looks as if you've got the best system available. The companies don't seem to realise that people can fall over outdoors as well as in. There are some apps out there but again you'd need to use your mobile. Good luck with your search.
Thank you. I have a feeling I'm looking for something that doesn't exist. I'll have to consider all the options and see what will work best for me. Xx Moy
Yes it is expensive but at £45 for a year with the vat not payable for a device which is seldom or never to be used maybe worth paying if it is suitable for the persons needs?
This has given me food for thought, Skis. It looks good, although I notice there doesn't seem to be a call monitoring option ie if all three contacts are unavailable, there is no further backup. I quite like the idea of an oncall service too as on several occasions all of my would be contacts have been uncontactable at the same time. Sod's law and all that! At those times an emergency call center option would be good. I think I have to decide what my priorities are. Thank you for taking the trouble to find this info for me. Xx Moy
My pleasure Moy you just have to spend some time looking at all the different options available and then bin them all and get a knight in shining armour who will accompany you on your travels and plonk you on his horse if you keel over. xx
Morning Skis. Not sure I looked at the site properly last night. They do in fact have an alarm that has the call monitoring as well. Sounds very good. Downside is it costs £18.99 a month. It does everything I need though so will have to seriously think about it. Thanks again for your help. Xx Moy
My original smart phone was a 'Doro' and that had a red panic button as advised below and is probably still available and you might like to check that out also.
Aw, cheers for this Skis. Unfortunately I have just got a new phone and am tied in for 2 years. I'll certainly be aware of it next time I change though. I had no idea there were these other options. So glad I posted on here. So helpful. Would still like to see you on your horse though! Xx Moy
Ok get some hay on the go and i'll saddle her up and see you later. we may take some time to get wherever you are as our maximum speed is 4 hooves an hour. x
Oh, I didn't know such a thing existed. I have just bought a new phone on a two year contract! I wonder if it is possible to set sos up on this one. If so it would be useful to have as well. Thanks for the information. Xx Moy
I just had a quick look on Amazon, they have several big button mobile phones with red button for emergency. Some you can have up to 5 telephone numbers for emergency.
I know it’s expensive but I have a Apple Watch series 4 which will call an emergency number and emergency services should you fall. It will also tell people where you are.
If you do fall it pings it up and you can cancel it if you don’t need assistance. It does work!
Also if you have a smart phone is worth downloading the app ‘what three words’ it does what it says, in three words gives you your location which the emergency services will know.
Many council/boroughs have a care line so if you go to their website and type "care alarm" into their search they will tell you about 6 month trials and the cost (usually just under £30/month). I got one for my elderly mum. It's for the home though.
I imagine there are other types too with smart technology now but sorry don't know.
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