Can anyone recommend a medical alert device?

I’ve recently started developing a serious neurological condition with progressing loss of mobility, and which is being investigated as possible MS. I live alone and had a bad fall which rendered me unconscious, ended up being hospitalised for 2 weeks, to be followed up by the neurologist before a firm diagnosis can be given.

Was with my GP this morning and he said it’s imperative I get a medical alert device that I wear, so that I can alert somebody in case of being immobilised by a fall. My next door neighbour a a cousin in the vicinity both have keys for my apartment. I have an iPhone 14 Pro.

I am looking for advice as to the best device out there where I could easily alert the people with keys and/or the emergency services. Would an Apple Watch be the most appropriate device or are there better alternatives?

banie01

!st of all, sorry to hear of your trouble and that you are facing any medical uncertainty, let alone neurological or MS. I do hope that you get to the bottom of the ailment soon.

As you're already an Iphone user, the apple watch is probably the best option for you, especially as it has fall detection. There isn't a huge range of options available in Ireland, most of the various companies' offerings here are pendants with a monitoring service at an additional monthly cost. Without knowing your age or wanting to pry? Could the Seniors Alert Scheme be of any use to you?

Hopefully someone with more hands on experience of the current state of play can chime in? But in the interim, there's a decent albeit American comparison of Iphone vs Medical alert devices here

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120397380#Comment_120397380

That’s very helpful. I’m 62 today, did first skydive day after Christmas Day, hitherto very active and very fun loving!

Speedsie

My mother has a watchovers watch with fall detection, it will call up to three designated numbers in the event of a fall. It can also be used to make regular phone calls.

It has its own SIM so doesn't rely on a connection to another mobile phone (she doesn't have one)

https://www.watchovers.com/

banie01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120397743#Comment_120397743

Well happiest of birthday to you. I hope the hyperlinks in my post above work because they aren't displaying as blue on my display, so just in case? I'll copy them on here now.

https://tunstallemergencyresponse.ie/alarms-pendants-watches/

https://www.medicalalertbuyersguide.org/smartwatch-medical-alert-system/apple-watch-medical-alert-review/

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/justice/crime_and_crime_prevention/seniors_alert.html

NIMAN

No advice for you RTS, but just want to wish you all the best. Hopefully you can soldier on for many more years, as I enjoy reading your posts and thoughts on Boards.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120397819#Comment_120397819

Working perfectly here!

The Apple Watch has proved itself to be the perfect bit of kit for me. There are a number of great apps that work with it. I was with a doctor today and telling him I had bought one, he related how he got one for his mother and decided to wear and custom it himself first before giving it to her. He was out celebrating something, got inebriated, decided it would be a good idea to try out a skateboard, unceremoniously felt off it and the watch called an ambulance! 🤣🤣