RicB
Kalamazoo, Michigan
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Joined: 05/21/2002
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My 85 year old mother has asked me to get her a cell phone for emergency/very occasional use and a "first alert" (I've fallen and I can't get up) type of device.
As far as a cell phone goes, I could add a phone to my plan for her but Verizon does not have a good signal in her area. Alltel would be the best choice. But the basic plan would still be overkill for her. The pay as you go TracFone looks like a good option for her, but I need a simple to use phone suited for a senior. I'm not sure which one out of their lineup to choose. The Jitterbug service looks interesting, although the phone it self is a bit pricey and I've seen mixed reviews on their customer service. Any suggestions?
The first alert thing has me puzzled. There are many choices. Do any of you have any experience with this type of device/service?
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NGRRFan
Colo. Spgs., CO
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Joined: 07/25/2002
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RicB wrote:The first alert thing has me puzzled. There are many choices. Do any of you have any experience with this type of device/service? Our local Senior Citizens group (SilverKey) provided us with a first alert system for my mother. It cost us/her about $13 a month for the service and required us to call in once a month to make sure the system worked.
The hardest thing for my mother was to wear either the wristwatch style alerter or the necklace style alerter. She'd put them down on the end table and then wander off someplace.
One thing my sis and I noticed was that mom always had her cordless phone with her, no matter where she went (yes even into the bathroom) so rather than "fight" with her about wearing the alerter device we just made sure that the phone was always charged so she could dial 9-1-1 if needed.
In some respects the First Alert is nice because it is so sensitive that once triggered it calls the call center who then will call your local emergency services for dispatch.
The down side is just as I said.... a couple of extra phone calls before emergency services are dispatched, and getting a person to use the actual alerter device.
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just_dave
Bay City, MI
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Search around on the internet, there are systems that you can buy, about $75, that will dial various phone numbers until someone answers when activated. There's no need to pay for a service, if you don't want. I wish I could remember the name, but I shopped for them last year when we thought Mom might want one. As for the cell phone, the problem with pay as you go phones is you still have to buy time as well as minutes. Remember that ANY cell phone, activated or not, can dial 911.
Dave
PS... Here is one that's a little more that I remembered but there are many available. Alert I have NO affiliation with this company.
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WayneLee
Out West Somewhere
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For a cell phone service, you may be interested in the Jitterbug. The phones are "simple" with no text messaging, pictures, etc. - just a plain phone that even has a dial tone! The service plans start at $10.00 per month. They advertise in all the RV magazines and in the AARP magazine.
Wayne Lee
Out West Somewhere
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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My mom used a pendent. When button pushed, an autodialer called four (I think) numbers one at a time until someone answered. It then played message mom recorded when setting it up initially. So if button pushed it called a few neighbors. Last number was 911 so if no neighbors answered, help still arrived.
Cell phone is useless if person falls and can't reach phone.
Chuck
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Well here is the phone http://www.jitterbug.com/phones.aspx however the service is the issue. You need to know which provider (With which the phone is compatable) covers her house the best
There is also a special phone that AAA has ads for in their magazines (I think it's a stripped down version of this same phone) it has a few numbers in memory and can call only those numbers) IE: 9-1-1, YOU, that kind of thing
In fact.. it's on the same page (The Jitterbug "one Touch")
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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RicB
Kalamazoo, Michigan
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Like I said in my original post, the Jitterbug phone is a bit pricey ($147 plus activation) but given its simplicity maybe it's worth it. The reviews I've seen on their customer service has been a bit sketchy also. Has anyone had any experience with Jitterbug?
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Norm K.
Destin, FL or on the road!
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Used Jitterbugs are selling for about $65 on Ebay.
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Bobbo
Memphis, TN
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We went with American Medical Alarms for both sets of our parents.
Bobbo, Linda and the furry kid (German Shepherd)
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