1. < Caregivers

Call Button Type Devices

Posted by Errol, Alumni Mentor @duvie, Feb 23, 2018

Hello Everyone,
I know there are call button type devices that can monitor people if they fall or need help. I'm under the belief, that there is a monthly charge each month for several of these type devices. I feel like they are probably excellent especially for people living alone.
What I'm about to say is in no way to discourage anyone from getting these much better systems.

What I'm wanting to know is;
" What can be used in the home for the patient to call their caregiver or family member for assistance that is not expensive but fairly reliable."

We have tried a whistle but the patient needs pretty good lungs and after a while can become annoying.
We have used a cow bell but if outside, it's hard to hear from both of these.

We currently use a pair of Microtalk walkie talkies with several buttons on it for various things made by Cobra.
Aside from actually talking which is supposed to reach several miles depending whether in a large city or rural area.
We have never used them much for talking. We have tried it a few blocks away and it worked.
There is one button my better half likes to use which sends out about 10 fast loud pitch beeping sound that is very distinct.
We purchased them from Wall Mart for about $60 bucks. It came 3 in the pack. This doesn't require her to have to yell to get my attention.
For someone with lung disease it works great.

I do admit that 3 batteries per walkie talkie can get expensive. I found on Amazon an 8 battery charger which can charge AAA or AA batteries at one time.
It's called "Mr Batt" and I use them for everything including the TV remote. I purchased with it 2 - 8 pk of AAA and only 1 pk of AA.
Since Christmas see has received many glow in the dark items. Now I need to get another charger and more batteries, lol.
So far, I love the "Mr Batt" battery system.

What do others use to communicate between patient and caregiver?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers Support Group.

sallysue | @sallysue | Feb 24, 2018

We use a simple baby monitor from WalMart for around $20. The baby listener is in my sister’s room and we have the parent one with the settings. She can just talk anytime and I hear her. Ours has sensitivity and volume options and we have to push a button while we talk through it. It works perfectly. Each end is battery powered or plug in. I carry our end around the house with me if she is sleeping or in her room for a period of time. But mostly leave it plugged in in our bedroom. It is working great for us. Hope this helps.

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Mentor
Scott, Volunteer Mentor | @IndianaScott | Feb 24, 2018

Hello @duvie Nice to meet you here at Connect. I will say ditto to @sallysue and the use of an inexpensive baby monitor. We used a bell for years with my wife until she was unable to manipulate it. Then we went with a really cheap baby monitor. Bought one used from a garage sale for $1.00. The device worked for us for years and then I sold it for $5.00 at another garage sale!

Good luck!

Strength, courage, and peace to you as a caregiver. It is an arduous journey for sure!

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Errol, Alumni Mentor | @duvie | Feb 28, 2018

Hello @sallysue, I never considered a baby monitor. Did you purchase a baby monitor originally for a baby or to use it for communicating with your sister?
I think it is a great device to use for either. We just happened to have the walkie talkies available after driving out of state to pick up another vehicle. we purchased them so we could inform each other when we needed to make pit stops to stretch the legs, eat, or restroom stops. Worked out great then and now. We do have to press and hold a button to talk then release to receive talk.

Thanks For Responding

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1 reply
Errol, Alumni Mentor | @duvie | Feb 28, 2018

Hello @IndianaScott, Nice to meet again. Thanks for the ditto. Bells do work for many and we did use one also for a while.
Love your baby monitor story buying one at a garage sale for $1.00, using it, and selling it for $5.00.
Sounds like someone experienced in fundraising, lol. Thanks for responding.

Thanks for wishing and promoting strength, courage, and peace for caregivers.

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sallysue | @sallysue | Mar 1, 2018
In reply to @duvie "Hello @sallysue, I never considered a baby monitor. Did you purchase a baby monitor originally for..." + (show)
@duvie

Hello @sallysue, I never considered a baby monitor. Did you purchase a baby monitor originally for a baby or to use it for communicating with your sister?
I think it is a great device to use for either. We just happened to have the walkie talkies available after driving out of state to pick up another vehicle. we purchased them so we could inform each other when we needed to make pit stops to stretch the legs, eat, or restroom stops. Worked out great then and now. We do have to press and hold a button to talk then release to receive talk.

Thanks For Responding

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We bought it special for her at this time of life. She could not remember how to push a button to talk. This one she just talks and moves around like normal. I can tell if she is sleeping or up and around or in the bathroom etc. it is very handy. She doesn’t have to remember a thing and I don’t have to stay awake wondering if she is up or fallen or can’t sleep etc. etc. it works perfectly.

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minnesota | @minnesota | Apr 14, 2018

Like the baby monitor idea. Thanks

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