I'm looking for a fall alert device that doesn't automatically call an operator, but instead sends an alert to a family member.
I'm currently taking care of my grandmother, and as she's a vet she's fairly independent and hates the idea of people outside the family helping her. I live in a suite above hers, and so I can't always hear her when she falls. She consented to wearing a watch or bracelet-like device as long as only myself and a few other family members were alerted when she falls.
Does something like that exist?
https://www.medicalalert.com/
The one I chose was a local company which has provided alarm services for residences and business for several years. We got a pendant alarm for $40/monthly (at that time), as well as a battery charger. The company does serve several states. PM me if you want the specific name and contact info. I probably shouldn't "advertise" for the company publicly.
Not only was the company responsive to my selection questions, it proved to be highly responsible throughout the several years they helped us.
The pendant was movement sensitive, and Dad also got calls if he leaned over! And of course they called when he fell, and continued to call until one of us responded with either a help response or a call EMS response. Once they continued to call up until around 2 am. I had taken my father to the ER, and we both forgot the pendant was in an alert position.
I've considered getting one for myself, especially when I decide to go outside and cut down trees. Seriously.
There are other cheaper services, and ones that are repeatedly advertised in elder publications, but I didn't find any that met my standards as the one rented did.
You can identify your responders. I was no. 1 and EMS was no. 2.
What you probably should consider as well is a locking device with a key inside so that EMS can enter if you're not available. We looked at both "over the door knob" versions and screw in versions, and chose the later. The lockbox was screwed into the studs, with screws positioned so the box couldn't be removed.
My father and I both tested the "over the handle" ones and confirmed that we could get a small saw in between the locking arms, which means so could a burglar, who could then steal the device and the key inside.