Smart moves for older homeowners (who’d rather not move)

For an upcoming report on products and services that can help older people make their homes safer and more convenient and thereby live there longer, one of our staffers recently covered the annual Aging in America conference in Washington, D.C.

We know that “upcoming” might not be soon enough if you’re already dealing with these issues for an older family member or perhaps for yourself. So, in the meantime, here are three of the most useful resources our staffer found:

• For a general overview of home modifications, as well as how to pay for them, the Eldercare Locator, sponsored by the U.S. Administration on Aging, offers this helpful fact sheet.
• Falls are the No. 1 cause of injury-related death among men and women over 65. Even when falls aren’t fatal, they often result in impairments that keep people from returning to their homes. The Fall Prevention Center of Excellence at the University of Southern California provides this list of resources.
• Vision loss is another common problem as we age. The AFB Senior Site, sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind, has many simple, low-cost solutions to make a home safer for a visually impaired resident.

Comments

[Mike Worsham]

I just joined ConsumerReports.Org. I wanted to see CR research on personal emergency devices sold by various firms that allow the elderly/disabled consumer to press a button for a private company's emergency monitoring and reporting services. Because I have not found such research on this site, I would really appreciate your consider doing some research for those of us who need these devices/services. Thank you!

[Noreen Perrotta (Consumer Reports)]

Mike: Consumer Reports has not tested these devices and has no immediate plans to do so. But we'd love to hear from readers who have used personal emergency devices about their experiences with these services. Please post your opinions here.

[Julia Wagenhouzen]

I second Mike's request for such research and testing. Why is CR not planning to do this? So many of us need this information to help our parents make the right choice!

[Paul Warpeha]

I specifically was looking for reviews of home monitoring of an aged parent who wants to stay at home, but will need 24 hour surveillance. There are many products, but we need good testing and evaluation. I hope Consumer Reports can look into it.

[Ray Stimson]

I need to choose a medical alert monitoring company for my aging mother. It really feels like I'm flying in the dark. They all claim to be the best, but how can I know without seeing some impartial data. Please Consumer Reports, think about checking in to this. This is serious issue that needs investigation.

[Linda Gray]

I too would like some help in understanding and choosing home monitoring systems for the elderly. I have an 84 year old mother with Alzheimer's and can't always be with her, and she, in turn, worries about me because I live alone in a little populated area. A home monitoring system would give each of us peace of mind.

[Lea Fridman]

My cousin recently lost lucidity and was falling, vomiting and bleeding all over the house for two days until, in his fog, he found a phone, called 911 and also managed to slip them a key under the door. It is two weeks since, he is full of bruises and he is still in intensive care and cannot speak. We don't know the neuological condition. I am desperate to find a good medical alert device fo another elderly cousin with lung cancer and severe pain. I fear his falling and being unable to reach a phone. This is a critical health issue and a serious consumer advocacy organization must research and address this issue.

[Barbara Berger]

I, too, would like CR to investigate these medical alert devices/services. I called AARP for their recommendation (Life Alert), but when I researched this company on the Web I found numerous Consumer Affairs complaints about it (the service is also VERY expensive). AARP said they recommended this company because it advertised with AARP -- not much of a bona fide.

[Ford Warrick]

With the aging of the baby boomers I think having a review of medical alert companies would be of interest to many people.

[Melinda Hall]

I also think Consumer Reports should make plans to look into medical alert devices and home surveillance devices immediately. I am assisting an elderly woman in the search for the right device for her home, and she feels stuck because doctors refuse to give the names of other patients who have used the devices. This closed-mouth policy is a result of privacy constraints. The doctor provided her with a brochure for a specific company but gave no indication as to whether the company was best in its field, or by what merits he was recommending it. It's difficult to do anything more, as a consumer, than speculate about or test the products one at a time. Her need is immediate. Please, Consumer Reports, look into these devices!

[Linda Corne]

I was searching like all of the posters on this site for a Medical alert company for my mom so I go to my trusted CR website and was so dissappointed to not find any information or any hope of any in the future ...Please reconsider .

[Chandra Edwards]

I, too, am looking for a medical alert device for my elderly father for when my mother is out of town. Consumer reports was the first place I turned to for an independent review, and from reading the other comments there definitely seems to be a demand! Thanks for considering doing research on this in the future or perhaps a survey, even if you are not considering doing this now.

[Ann Caffey]

My husband's mother is is need of a medical alert system. Was disappointed that Consumer Reports had not research on this issue.

[LD Schoonover]

I cannot believe what I just read from CR, "Consumer Reports has not tested these devices and has no immediate plans to do so." Considering the "Baby Boomer" generation, there is a definite need for this information. Please do not disappoint us - reconsider. We need the best information on our purchases & CR is our "life source". Thank you!

[Victoria]

Another vote for CR to do a report on medical alert devices.

[K. Mirabelli]

I too am exploring safety products for my aging Mother who is living alone. I worry about her falling and it taking some time for us to discover that she needs help. CR please follow up on this extremely critical issue that most of us will face at some point in our lives.

Thank you.

[Mike & Julia Maher]

We echo the request of so many others for Consumer Report to investigate options & report on pros/cons. So many people look 1st to CR because of its wonderful reputation on doing exhaustive research. Please raise this topic on CR's priority list so that the increasing number of elderly parents can have the best coverage. Please assign CR staff to look into this topic sooner, rather than later.

Thanx

[Doug Smith]

I, too need info on medical alert devices. Some call 4 numbers forfamily or friends,or 911, whereas others call a security monitoring firm.I need one for a 93 yr old who lives alone.

[J Heston]

I agree that CR should test these devices, ESPECIALLY in light of the huge increase in our aging population that will make use of them. I came to the site today hoping to find a review and was very disappointed to find no information to help my 90 year old grandmother make an informed choice.

[Tianne Renear]

I, like others which posted comments here am very disappointed to find no data on personal emergency alert systems. I'm even more upset to see that CR does not have plans to research these devices in the near future. My grandmother is 100; mentally alert and lives alone. She fractured her pelvis a few years back and now must use a cane. She is very unstable on her feet without it, but does not always use it around the house. What if she tripped in the hallway? I would like to see CR take a proactive approach to research products helpful to our growing senior population. I'd hate to think that my grandma's right thinking "nobody cares about old people these days".

[Sharon]

I am researching emergency alert services now to assist my mother (in her 80s) with making a selection. Disappointed CR cannot help at this time. I agree with previous posts that an objective review of these services is a critical need -- Baby Boomers unite!

[C.B.Greene]

I too was surprised that CR has not reported on these devices, and even more disappointed that there is no plan to do so in the near future. Along with the other posters, I try to be an educated consumer so I go to your reports for unbiased evaluations.

We have already tried one non-service product available...a phone dialer with a wireless pendant. The button would be pressed while my father-in-law was in bed and we had many middle-of-the-night calls which were false alarms. We are looking for something where he can speak directly into the pendant so that he doesn't have to yell and possibly not be heard by the base unit. I found one online, but have no idea if it is effective.

HELP!

[Janet Justice]

Why hasn't Consumer Reports done any research on home medic alert systems? I signed up for CR for that specific information. The consequences of choosing a less than television can not be compared to the important consequences of choosing a medical alert system. Information regarding medical alert systems is of a life saving importance.

[Mike in Emmaus, PA]

Please reconsider your decision. This is a major issue facing many middle aged families trying to care for their senior parents. I too am looking for the unbiased opinion of CR. You are the best at balancing the service with the cost and in this case the RISK. I have read too many horror stories of poor service, which in this case can be a life or death consequence. PLEASE reconsider.

[Greg Schuetz]

We would also like a report on medical alert devices. We were so confused by all the companies and types and came here to see an objective viewpoint.
Greg

[Charlotte Tate]

Like everyone else who posted, I am shocked that CR has nothing about this important, critical area. I too went to CR first......disappointed.

[lynn meadows]

I, too, think this is an area that CR needs to investigate. It is difficult to compare apples and oranges in this field of medical alert systems.

[Melinda Niles]

Have been researching home monitoring systems. Remembered!! Ah HA! This is why I pay for Consumer Reports every year..... I could not believe you have not reported on this service. The industry has been involved in a lot of senior scams, and has been in the media more of late.

I hope you will respond to all the people here that are asking for your help. Add me to the list.

[Ed Arildson]

One more vote asking CR to report on these home monitoring devices. As many before me have said, the need for them is increasing as the years go by.

[Dennis in Portland, Maine]

Given the demographics and need for credible info on medical alert systems, I was astounded to find CR has not evaluated these systems and has no plans to do so. This is a curious failure on your part.

[Audrey]

I too need information about medical alert systems. I thought for sure CR would have the answer!

[C. P. Craig]

My mother is 84 and I need to get one of these monitoring services for her home. There is not sufficient information on the web to make a properly informed choice. When I turned to Consumer Reports for impartial research on these services, was surprised and disappointed that you have done nothing and plan to do nothing to evaluate them. Try testing one less new car and doing this instead. This is so much more important.

[Wendy]

Add me to the list of those seeking info on medica alert devices. We need one for my 82 year old Mom and after searching cluelessly on the Internet I remembered to come here. I am very disappointed to find that not only has CR not evaluation them, they have no plans to in the near future.

Just based on the number of comments here, I think it's a product that CR should definitely consider testing.

I'm going to do some more research on my own.

[Wendy]

FYI,

Here is a review of several Medical Alert systems.

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/09/lifealert_alternatives.html

[jay Horvitz]

DITTO!!!

[CC]

I too would like CR to review medical alert services so I can make an educated choice for a family member.

[Maggie]

No pun intended, but a CR review of life/medical alert system would be a life saver! My father is 80 years old, and while still in pretty good health, anything can happen. I want to put a monitoring system in for him, and would greatly appreciate and independent review of same. It should be evident to CR that this is something their consumers really want and need!

[Vinny]

I am currently investgating home alert product for mom who is elderly and thought to check with consumer reports before I make a purchase.
It is dispointing that they have not tested any of these products in this category. I am going with LifeStation that has been recommended by AARP.

[L Lawson]

Like all the others on this list I am seeking a medical alert device for my 87 year old mother who is suffering from early Alzheimers. She lives in a rural area. I would like to know more about the devices and which ones are most reliably monitored, user friendly, etc. Please consider doing some research on this at the earliest possible time.

[Peggy Stone]

I was counting on CR's help to decide about a medical alert device for 2 different aging parents. One fell last week and had no one to get her up. Couldn't reach phone to call anyone and had to lie on floor until caregiver came in morning! She doesn't want nighttime caregiver, but we need SOMETHING. PLEASE, CR, check out these devices for us!!! THIS is a critical need and MUCH MORE IMPORTANT than which MP3 player I should buy!

[Jsawicki]

I second all the previous comments. As a VERY long subscriber, I wonder if the demographics just doesn't pay for the company to do it? I think it is a shame that we cannot rely on the 1 single source that we have always relied on? I cannot think of a major expense item that I purchased that I didn't look at my back issues to validate my decision.
Please reconsider even just to place 1 paragragh in an upcoming issue with the names of reputable ones(in your opinion) and follow-up later with an actual/factual review.
Please

[Annie Leonard]

I too am very disappointed to learn that CR has no testing on alert devices and "has no plans to do so". Why not? I've relied on CR in the past many times when I was making decisions on important purchases.

[R Gray]

I just want to add a "me-too" to the request. I care for my mother who had one fall while I was in the house and I did not realize it until I came up from the basement. If it had been more serious her quality of life could have depended on how fast she got help. Since I cannot be in line-of-sight 24/7, she needs to be able to have a more reliable way to get help.

[John D Neilson]

I join the many others who need reliable evaluations of the various medical alert systems advertised online, TV and phone salespeople. Life Phone and LifeStation are two such services.

[Marc]

Count me in as one who would like to see these systems reviewed by CR. My 85 year old dad, stroke victim, lives with my 81 year old mom (healthy) and I know she's had to call 911 if he loses his balance and falls. I get nervous thinking about my mom at the store or just out of the house and my dad alone with no help if he should fall. (paralyzed on the right side of his body). I see most of these devices ("I've fallen and I can't get up") average between $30 and $45/month, it would be great to read CR's take on these "medicalert" devices. Thanks!

[K. Cox]

After reading complaint after complaint about so many of the personal medical devices available, I turned to CR for advice. Like everyone else, I am very disappointed to find that there is information available. I hope that CR will consider testing and rating these products soon.

[LAF]

July 7, 2008

I, too, would like to urge Consumer Reports to review personal emergency alert devices.

There is a genuine need for this service, and it is incredible to me that such a strong, impartial reviewer as Consumer Reports has not taken on this subject.

I am a baby boomer who may need one soon: in the meantime I have a 99-year-old mother who needs one NOW!

Please reconsider this ill-advised decision.

Thank you.

[Jim Jarman]

Like all of the individuals, I was looking for informaiton on personal medical alarm solutions for my in-laws. My mother-in-law (83) fell on July 4th and my father-in-law (90) was unable to help. She's having surgery today (7-9) to replace a broken shoulder and repair a broken leg!
We first went to Radio Shack and purchased one of their "off-the-shelf" alert systems. This is one you program yourself to dial up to 5 telephone numbers when the activator button is pushed. I would not recommend this unit. My in-laws live close to an airport and the unit was activated twice the first night by frequencies being transmitted at the airport! The police showed up at 4:00 and 6:00 in the morning!
PLEASE CR - wake up and realize how important this matter is to consumers. Your help is needed!!!!