In recent cases of people who fell in their residence and were not discovered for days, it is unfortunate they did not have help-summoning systems.
Those use a button worn on wrist or around neck, that communicates by radio waves with a base station connected to a telephone line. An operator answers via speakerphone, which has surprising range.
The operator has the individual’s personal help contacts to phone and can phone emergency services.
The system works well, provided the monitoring service bureaucracy has competent operators.
There is a significant monthly cost, especially with the optional necklace that detects a fall. Of course they won’t work as well for mentally confused people, who may not press the button.
As well, residence facilities should have a sign on the door to an individual’s apartment or room, with procedure that others will investigate if the sign is not turned around by mid-morning.
Keith Sketchley
Saanich
