call pendant thingummy

67traveller

Mum who's had arthritis (rheumatoid) for thick end of forty years took a tumble today, while my sister who lives with her was out. Base over apex on kitchen floor, not hurt but shook up, sat there half an hour before a friend stopped by and found her there. Since he's just had a new hip himself he gave her a phone to call me to come round and get her up.
I only live four or five minutes away by car, and I work from home so am always available to pop round, but if her friend hadn't called by then she'd have been there til my sister got home, so I want to get her one of those emergency call wotsits so if she needs to get me and can't get to the blower she can still ring. Been searching online for hours trying to find something appropriate and getting nowhere fast. AgeConcern only seem to have a 'monitoring' system on subscription where they'll answer the phone and THEN call me - bit pointless, she can just call me direct and save the subscription cost. The only phone I found that has a pendant is this one http://www.amplicomphones.co.uk/index.php?id=amplicom_pt50_big_button_desk_phone but you can see the problem with that - she'd never be able to press that tiny button! She has no resistance to her fingers whatsoever, they just bend back, so pressing a button that's inset like that one would be impossible. Is there any product you guys know about that would do this job? All it needs to do is dial my number.
Many thanks for any and all advice!

dreamdaisy

Hello, may I send my commiserations to you and your mum? Falling over is not fun and it can leave on very shaken up.

My mum bought herself an 'ordinary' land-line phone but it came with an alert bracelet, featuring a large red button. The theory behind this is that when she falls (which she does every now and again) she presses this alarm and the phone dials the number of a friend. Their phone screeches like hell and they then gallop round to sort her out. My mum has very weak hands (not RA-affected, just due to age and maybe OA) and when she should have used this feature last year she didn't (through choice and stubborness). I cannot remember where she got this from but it was a mail-ordeer company, Chums or someone of that ilk.

I wish you well in your search - have you looked at the NRAS website? I never have (as I don't have RA) but they may have a recommendation. DD

stickywicket

This is a tricky one, isn't it? You'd think there has to be something out there. Age UK or DIAL might have some suggestions. The only other thing I can suggest (I have RA in my fingers but do have some strength in them) is that it might be possible to adapt the one you've seen. Maybe, you could attach to it a small eg pencil, thickened with tubular bandage or somesuch at one end so that your mother could hold that end while pushing th button with the other. Do you have a local Disability Aids shop? They might have some ideas.

resusjan

Hi,

Here in wet wales we have something called Piper Lifeline, not sure if its just a local thing though. Its a pendant with a big red button, when pressed it rings a nominated phone number with the message that assistance is needed. I think it can be programmed for a couple of numbers in case you're out

67traveller

Thank you all for your replies.
I did find something on the Chums website that might help, but Googling the phrase 'Piper Lifeline' and following a few links took me to a page for acisgroup who run that service in my county. God alone knows why the local council don't have ANY reference to it on their own site, but hey ho! I'll give that a try today, and if that fails I'll get the phone from Chums.
Many thanks again

wall1409

Check with your district council as in North yorkshire we operate lifeline service which is a pendant a person wear around their neck and if they fall they press it which alerts to a call centre and mobile wardens attend

Wendy x

stickywicket

I'm very pleased you seem to have found what you wanted. Thanks for letting us know.

barbara12

Thankyou for this thread it is very interesting, and good for you finding something that your mum can use, I hope it give her and you peace of mind.x