Quizzes & Puzzles14 mins ago
Living Alone, Dying Alone?
38 Answers
I can’t be the only person, (am in my late sixties and fairly healthy), who lives alone and worries about having a heart attack or a stroke and not being able to summon help.
I know that sounds very negative and depressing, but it is a possibility. I am lucky to have a number of good friends but we tend to meet up sporadically, so they would not necessarily miss me for some time.
Am I too young to consider getting a personal alarm and a key safe?? Any alternative options?
I know that sounds very negative and depressing, but it is a possibility. I am lucky to have a number of good friends but we tend to meet up sporadically, so they would not necessarily miss me for some time.
Am I too young to consider getting a personal alarm and a key safe?? Any alternative options?
Answers
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Consider getting a trendy Apple watch - it doubles up as a personal alarm:
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You can probably get something similar on Android devices.
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You can probably get something similar on Android devices.
A personal alarm will only give those close to your location an alert .. that's if anyone is listening.
Why not get a dedicated lifeline, there will be a monthly fee. This will mean you have a pendant hanging around your kneck, when pressed it will connect you to a call centre that will be manned 24/7 via a unit that is linked to your phone .. They will be able to summon help on your behalf. There are various levels of care available with a lifeline.
You would also register your keysafe number with them.
Everyone should have a keysafe, the first time it is used for access it will pay for itself. In my job I got called out to piece doors and frames back together after the Police or Ambulance service had smashed the door in to gain access to someone who didn't have a keysafe installed.
Why not get a dedicated lifeline, there will be a monthly fee. This will mean you have a pendant hanging around your kneck, when pressed it will connect you to a call centre that will be manned 24/7 via a unit that is linked to your phone .. They will be able to summon help on your behalf. There are various levels of care available with a lifeline.
You would also register your keysafe number with them.
Everyone should have a keysafe, the first time it is used for access it will pay for itself. In my job I got called out to piece doors and frames back together after the Police or Ambulance service had smashed the door in to gain access to someone who didn't have a keysafe installed.
A keysafe is a coded box outside your door that someone close to you has the code, it has been spoken of here before and one aber said she could use it by keying in any number on her elderly relatives safe, that can happen if the number lock is not coded correctly, I have one and it is a tight as tuppence and very secure, the GP, my public health nurse and a member of my family have the code, once open, there is a key to the front door inside it
On the suggestion of mamya to open the front door to save it being broken down when she has indigestion, I've had a heart attack and no time for opening doors, didn't know what hit me, my sister in her early 60's has had a stroke and heart attack and lives alone a good bit away from me, only her dog for company she got through it and finally made it to hospital, thankfully no lasting damage there. It is a reasonable concern and worry though.
On the suggestion of mamya to open the front door to save it being broken down when she has indigestion, I've had a heart attack and no time for opening doors, didn't know what hit me, my sister in her early 60's has had a stroke and heart attack and lives alone a good bit away from me, only her dog for company she got through it and finally made it to hospital, thankfully no lasting damage there. It is a reasonable concern and worry though.
Mamya .. from experience I have found that a lot of people think of a door chain as extra security, this is wrong. A door chain should never be secured when you are in your home. It should only be engaged when you are opening the door. Every property I visited I always offerd a chain fitted free of charge, along with advice on how and when to use it. When people had a narow hallway that stopped them peering round the door I would also fit a mirror on the wall.
For some time I fitted a device called an 'Erica' .. this allowed an occupant to have another cylinder fitted below their yale lock. The cylinder would allow someone gaining access to .. get and extra key from the keysafe.
This released the door chain on the inside of the door should the occupant take ill and need assistance. More vulnerable people often felt more secure should their chain be fitted at night. A door viewer or spy hole is a great idea, this means you dont even have to open the door to a stranger.
Most days of the week I attended distraction burglaries. On every occasion the occupants spoke to the burglar before letting them in. Your best option is dont even get involved with talking to a stranger on your doorstep !
For some time I fitted a device called an 'Erica' .. this allowed an occupant to have another cylinder fitted below their yale lock. The cylinder would allow someone gaining access to .. get and extra key from the keysafe.
This released the door chain on the inside of the door should the occupant take ill and need assistance. More vulnerable people often felt more secure should their chain be fitted at night. A door viewer or spy hole is a great idea, this means you dont even have to open the door to a stranger.
Most days of the week I attended distraction burglaries. On every occasion the occupants spoke to the burglar before letting them in. Your best option is dont even get involved with talking to a stranger on your doorstep !
