Devices to wear in case I fall.

[5lupins]

I am looking at wearing a device for if I fall whilst alone.

Over the last few years I have had three falls where I haven’t tripped. Tiny blackout. Also a few weeks ago I had severe dizziness/vertigo with sickness high blood pressure and tinnitus. Rang 999 and was taken to hospital. Within a few hours I was ok and given meds. for if it happened again. Although it happened three more times the meds worked and I had no high blood pressure or sickness. No more since. Awaiting possible appointment to ent clinic.

Sons are anxious and think I should wear a device or Apple Watch, as I may not be near my phone next time or May knock myself out.

Any experience or suggestions would be welcome. Thank you Jen.

[Rose54]

Hi

Most councils provide a service that involves wearing a push button pendant or bracelet to summon help in event of an emergency.

Their is a monthly cost involved with added fees if they are caked out to help

[5lupins in reply to Rose54]

Thank you, I thought they did but would like to sort it if I can.

I need something for going a short walk as I am mobile just at risk when alone. I have just no experience of what is best and tired of looking on line.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 5lupins]

The local medical charity White Cross where I live has a monitor that has GPS in it and works at home and anywhere outside. In the UK AgeUK has a company that provides a similar option:

ageuk.org.uk/products/mobil...

I would be inclined to say if it is approved by AgeUK it is worth considering.

[5lupins]

Thank you, they look good. I forgot to look at ageuk. They have helped with things for John. J

[piglette]

A GPS system is a good idea as you can use that anywhere you go. There are some that are keyring size. The downside is that they are not that cheap. You could look for a small mobile you could carry round with you too.

[5lupins in reply to piglette]

Thank you that might be the answer as not good with things round my neck, that is why son said an Apple Watch!

I really wish they did not know as they are more concerned than I am. But I have been luck where I fell. So maybe needs must. Don’t know if the vertigo is meniers or not. Hopefully not. J

[piglette in reply to 5lupins]

An Apple Watch can be used for phone calls too. Perhaps your family will buy you one!! Then they would be happy as they would know you had it! Family are always concerned. It means they care.

[5lupins in reply to piglette]

Just realised I replied to myself. Sorry see post above piglette

[piglette in reply to 5lupins]

It is always nice to communicate with yourself. You know you are talking to a highly educated, intelligent human being!!

[5lupins]

Thank you that is what tec minded son said, also he has just by chance been the one who has seen me in need the most, and has stayed with me overnight when I couldn’t stand and after breast cancer so I want to put his mind at rest. I have no one nearer than a forty minute drive who I could call,

It upset me watching these big men looking at me like they did their Dad so many times in a&e. Mothers ……. J

[Merryfield in reply to 5lupins]

An apple watch sounds like fun and has many functions🙂

[Paulagcl]

How about an Apple Watch? I have one.

[5lupins in reply to Paulagcl]

Thanks, I am looking into that, or my son is should I say.

[Trovatello]

you can rent an apple watch.

[5lupins in reply to Trovatello]

I didn’t know that but will check it out. Thankyou.

[Janann25 in reply to Trovatello]

Would you post details of how to rent an Apple Watch please ? Thank you

[Trovatello in reply to Janann25]

You can rent an apple watch from Musicmagpie for a year with an option to buy at the end. A basic one with the fall function will do.

[Janann25 in reply to Trovatello]

Thank you so much - I’ll definitely investigate.

[Kiwisufferer2019]

In NewZealand we can sign up for a medical alarm run by St John's ambulance. I wear it at home and gives me and my kids peace of mind. It means if I fall or have a meficsl event and don't have my phone with me I can press the button on a chain aroumd my neck and St John's call me then 3 People on my list. I hope I never have to use it, but it's a safety net.

[Stills]

my Mum and step Mum both in their 80s and living alone each have a wrist one. Devices that work away from home are also available. There is a receiver box that works both ways in the house and if you’d press by mistake they speak to you to ascertain if you need help or not. Both Mums get on well with them.

[random901]

I pay about £16 per month to Saga for my device which is attached to my landline downstairs, and also a pendant which can also be worn around the wrist. Thankfully, I haven't had to use it - although it might have been helpful when I fell over backwards and landed in the bath whilst trying to pull on a pair of socks... (I hauled myself out after about 10 mins).

[5lupins in reply to random901]

Glad you are ok. I don’t want people rushing over if I have a fall but am able to get myself up and cope like you did. It seems people can black out for a second and fall. Must decide now I have a bit more information. Thank you J

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 5lupins]

"It seems people can black out for a second and fall"

And when they do, it must be investigated to find if there is an underlying medical cause: it could be a TIA or ministroke or your heart not beating properly so you faint due to silly low BP. I was having waves of faintness but nothing ever showed up on an ECG. Eventually I fell as a result of one and hit my head. It coincided with a transient global amnesia so I was taken to hospital where they discovered I was having pauses in my heart beating of up to 7 seconds - a pulse of less than 10 per min!!! I was kept in until I had a pacemaker fitted!

Mine was a relatively minor episode but a friend had such a dizzy spell at the top of the stairs and fell headfirst down them - he is now quadraplegic as he broke his neck. Please don't dismiss it if you have such episodes.

[5lupins in reply to PMRpro]

Thankyou for your reply. I think when I mentioned it to Doc thirteen years ago she called it a syncope. These can happen infrequently to some people……. If it happens again I will go to ace immediately to see what they can tell me.

I have had three ecg recently and an echo two years ago. My blood pressure is good. I don’t know what to say to them. I could mention it to ent consultant maybe, who I hope to see soon. Also rheumi as mri showed aorta inflamed. Also white matter on brain is greater than it should be. No problem it seems at my age unless you look it up on nhs web site.

Really it has been a bit of a year… appointment for breast cancer check up and mri for nerve sheaf tumour on arm to see is still benign. I am also waiting for cataract operation and new earring aids. Whew.. but actually I am doing ok just weary of trying to sort it all out.

Beautiful sun here today and I have a south east facing bay window. I hope you have the same. J