Tech/safety for mum

[Brother D]

Mum unfortunately was recently widowed, and was wondering what tech people use to make sure their parent(s) are safe? Last visit to see mum was to install ring doorbells and ring security lights to check on who is coming to the door, but as she's getting on a bit don't want to end up her falling and not being able to get up etc. (She has Alexa dots etc so can call to that)

But wondered if anyone had experience of panic buttons or similar?

[megaphone]

We got my mum an emergency call button, hangs around her neck, main box is connected to the landline, not too expensive, I know some councils provide it 'free' to eligible people, so worth checking. https://www.lifeline24.co.uk

She is 91, has had it for 3 years now, fortunately she has not needed to press it in an emergency yet. She has pressed it a couple of times by mistake and they have responded well, they call my mobile if they cannot get a responce from her.

[Scrump]

MIL has echo dots in the house and she has a ‘garden bag’ she uses to carry her mobile phone in when out in the garden.

[rxe]

My mum is also 91. She’s had the thing round her neck for years now, ever since she broke her ankle in the garden and realised that she could easily get stuck. It works, the only disaster was when the cord frayed to nothing and she put it to one side to sew it up …. and then needed help.

Alexa has been the surprise smash it hit for her. I got her one for internet radio - no one makes a simple radio with a knob any more which is the sort of thing she wants but “play radio 4” is remarkably effective. We’ve used the emergency call capability (when her pendant was on the sewing table) and it works. She now has 4 Alexas all over the house.

We’ve put in some smart lighting, which has been another winner. They are LIFX bulbs that come on in the evening so there is a base amount of light in the house - no more fumbling for light switches. I’ve managed to convince her that they cost about 5p a day to run, and taped up the switches so she doesn’t turn them off by accident. They’re also tied into Alexa, so she can easily turn the lights on at night - the old scenario was wanting a pee in the night, so hurrying down a dark corridor and tripping. Now she just says “lights on” as she bundles out of bed.

I haven’t gone as far as cameras yet - mentally she’s 100%, so we’re not worried from the “wandering” POV. If I did, I’d stick one one in the kitchen with an inverted motion alert - if it doesn’t sense her looking for breakfast by 11:00, then raise the alarm.

[3anascooter]

Also get her an Alexa Show for video calls and drop in (where she doesn't need to answer). We have found the benefit of video to be huge, as you can see things in them even when they lie and say everything fine. This week the MIL activated her lifeline, the responder called an ambulance and contacted us. Being able to drop in on alexa and see what was going on was so valuable, then when ambulance arrived they were happy to talk to us and explain what they were doing Also we could verify her medication and recent medical history to the paramedics, and correct stuff that the MIL deliberately tried to mislead them about, in a bid to avoid going to hospital. Yes, can be done on phone but paramedic isn't going to hold the phone for 30 mins. Best thing I got for MIL and my parents. If you don't want an alexa unit at your home then you can always just use the alexa phone app to call on

[Brother D]

Cheers all for the suggestions, she has an Alexa show already that I've integrated with the Ring doorbell. I'll grab some dots to dot around and look into the lifeline lanyard - she's pretty pragmatic so don't think that'll be an issue.