Call systems for caregivers or in home health aides
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Call alarms are a must have if you're dealing with a fall risk patient
As my 95 year old Mom recovers from a fractured hip, I've started to investigate items that I must have in my house in order to bring her home, and, that's where call systems for caregivers or in home health aides comes into play. Mom fell when she was getting up (from the toilet - but that's beside the point...) and broke her hip. It was her first broken bone and, I hope, her last. After surgery 3 days later to insert screws and a metal plate, she was transferred to rehab which is where I'm sitting right now. You might want to read my Squidoo article Adjusting the elderly to rehab just in case...
Anyway, I've been researching call systems, call buttons, and call alarms for when we bring her home. I've found some decent ones on the market and am bringing them (virtually) to you!
That's Mom in the picture on her first day of rehab. They actually had her standing 2 days after surgery! And, 2 weeks later, she's still powering through physical therapy in her quest to come home!
Anyway, I've been researching call systems, call buttons, and call alarms for when we bring her home. I've found some decent ones on the market and am bringing them (virtually) to you!
That's Mom in the picture on her first day of rehab. They actually had her standing 2 days after surgery! And, 2 weeks later, she's still powering through physical therapy in her quest to come home!
Bed alarm systems
Bed alarm systems work by using a bed sensor pad under the patient. When the patient gets up, the caregiver is immediately given an alarm and, hopefully, rushes in to assist the elderly loved one or, perhaps, put them back where they're supposed to be....This thing would have been GREAT to have in the nursing home rehab room as Mom was constantly trying to get out of bed. So much so that I had to hire a home health aide to sit by her bedside all night. The one night I didn't have the aide, I came in at 6 am the next morning to find Mom in "detention" - the nurses had put her in her wheelchair and set her in front of them so they could watch her. All in all, it was pretty funny....as long as she doesn't get expelled...
That's Mom and Gizmo (one of her favorite dogs) taking a snooze break between therapy sessions.
Drive Medical's Bed Alarm
I'm a fan of Drive Medical as we own the Drive Medical Companion Wheelchair. I trust their quality so this is probably the bed alarm I'm going to purchase.
Drive Medical Patient Alarm, Bed
Amazon Price: $92.00 (as of 05/30/2012)
This bed alarm can actually be used as a chair alarm (wheelchair or regular chair) also.
Chair alarm systems
These patient chair call alarm systems work by using a chair sensor pad, similar to the bed alarm systems. If the patient should get up, an alarm sounds warning about a potential fall.
My favorite - Drive Medical's Chair Alarm
Similar to the bed alarm, the chair alarm works by sounding an alarm when the patient gets up from a wheelchair or a regular chair. I've got this on my Amazon wishlist too.
Drive Medical Patient Alarm, Chair
Amazon Price: $57.93 (as of 05/30/2012)
Might as well purchase a Cotton Gait Belt to catch 'em before they fall
This is the same Gait Belt that Mom wears in therapy. It's a very sturdy cotton material that is comfortable to wear yet gives me a secure handhold on her. She's not getting away from me the next time!
Prestige Medical 621-wht Cotton Gait Belt with Metal Buckle White
Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 05/30/2012)
This belt is economical but a bit more of a hassle to use as you have to tighten it each time you put it on the patient.
I prefer this cotton gait belt
Once I got Mom home from rehab, I figured out that this cotton gait belt is a nicer item than the ones that you have to buckle each time. This belt has a seatbelt type of release so you just set it and forget it. I have two - one for when mom is in a heavy robe and another when she's just in a light nightgown.
For more information, including pricing, click Cotton gait belt with buckle.
Call button alarm systems for the caregiver or in home health aide
Call buttons are great if the patient is with it enough to push a button - in my Mom's case, I'm going to alarm her so if she moves, I'll know it!
Clip on patient type alarm systems for caregivers and in home health aides
These patient alarm systems work by clipping to the patient's clothing. Once clipped and set, if the patient gets up, the clip releases from the monitor and sounds an alarm.
Floor Sensor Alarm Mats
Provided that Mom manages to get away from the bed alarm sensor, she's not getting out of the room as I'm ahead of her there - I'm buying a floor sensor mat which I can even put by her bedside. If she steps on it, she's nailed!
Wander alarms will help keep the confused safe
Mom does get a bit confused periodically (that's a nice way of putting it) and can be found in the hallway at strange times. I'm planning on arming her room with a bed alarm sensor, a floor mat sensor and a wander alarm with motion detector like one of the below.
Do you have a special person in your life who wanders?
I don't mean "wandering" as traveling, I mean "wandering" as being where they (she!) shouldn't be. I'd love to hear your comments so let 'em fly.
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vallain Dec 5, 2011 @ 10:19 pm | delete
- This was a problem for my brother right after he had the stroke. Because of short term memory loss, he would forget that he was partially paralyzed and would try to get up. This resulted in many falls from the bed. These products would have been a big help.
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Come view some of my other caregiver or elder care articles
I spend a lot of time watching over Mom and have time to write so that's what I do. Below is a listing of some of my other Squidoo articles that might be useful to caregivers or home health aides.
by gottaloveit
I used to spend most of my days caring for my adorable 95 year old Mom, Gertie; she died peacefully in my arms Feb 15, 2012.
During down times (which...
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