safe medical alert system

Hi.  I have had a pacemaker since 2017 for a problem with heartrate dropping too low and stopping.  I am getting a medical alert system from MobileHelp called Mini.  I first got there system which did not have fall detection or voice contact on necklace and had to carry a seperate unit when out of the house that also had gps, fall detection and voice.  I decided it was hard to use and asked about their new unit that contained all of those you wear around your neck.  Tech told me it had no magnets, but to check with doctor.  I will do that in two days (it is weekend).  Has anyone else had trouble about wearing one of these???  I did fall last week and almost could not get up.  I am 81.  

3 Comments

Help, I fell and can't get up!

by AgentX86 - 2022-01-29 16:20:51

It's no issue at all. If you need to use it, you have larger problems.

Medical Alert System

by Gemita - 2022-01-30 06:14:23

Nano, please try not to worry unduly about the safety of any medical alert system which you may need to wear to keep you safe if you fall.  It is vitally important that you get the help you need, when you need it.  

Do you have a mobile phone that you can keep in your pocket, or strapped around your waist for example at all times inside or outside?  My neighbour who is 90 keeps forgetting to keep her alert system on her at all times and frequently gets into trouble when she has a fall in the garden, although I can usually hear her calls for help. 

Remember too to get family members or friends to set up a system whereby you can phone them at any time when you need help.  This may be quicker than getting a paid "Mobile Help" agency involved unless there is no one around you to help?  But remember you cannot get help if your alert system isn't on you!  With most medical alert systems, there are various areas where these can be worn:  around neck, around your waist or wrist are three such areas and you will be assessed for the best possible position, so try not to worry about your pacemaker.  No harm will come to it.

Please take care Nano

Completely safe

by Gotrhythm - 2022-01-31 12:05:50

I got one when I went through a period of syncope and near-syncope. Happily, reprogramming my pacemaker took care of the problem and I haven't needed it since. There was no problem at all with inference with the pacemaker.

For sure you want one with fall detection. But the unit on the necklace nearly drove me crazy, though. The part that makes it capable of detecting falls is basically an accererometer, and if it swung around too much, it could send a false fall report. A couple of times I was awakened from a sound sleep by a voice saying, "A fall has been detected. Do you need help?"

In a way it was reassuring. At least I knew the system worked.

I notice they have units that can be worn on the wrist now and if I needed another one that's what I would order. On your wrist there'd be no question of it coming too close to your pacemaker and there would be less chance of a false alarm.

Do get one that the call center is located in the same country you are. If you're in an emergency situation, you don't need any language barriers.

Congratulations on being the kind of person who uses technology rather than being afraid of it.

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