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Does anybody carry an emergency beacon when you're out of cell phone range? If yes, what kind do you use, and why did you choose it?

I have one but it is still in the box. I got one in case I go hiking/camping in a remote area by myself. I can check to see what brand it is. I am pretty sure I ordered it from Amazon. It is a good idea to have for emergencies in remote places.

Just happens that Bob Wells, Cheap RV living just recently did a video on his 1 year followups with the gal he asked a year ago to use and report back on 3 different devices of that type. It was well done and informative. Recommend you go watch.
She got to keep her favorite when she finished the review.
Velda

I will check on this. I am considering one of those “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” devices but this might be an alternative.

What does the beacon do?? Does it work via satellite?

I’ve looked into a number of the alert buttons you wear around your neck. I haven’t made a decision because each would end up with something I wasn’t sure about or happy with. Most I checked into that have GPS use AT&T and I would prefer Verizon because I’ve found its coverage so much better for my use as opposed to AT&T that I had for years on my phone and often had no service. Others had bad reviews with regard to customer service and billing and problems with false alarms.

I really want to get something since I live alone, my daughter has no contact with me, my neighborhood consists of working people who are gone all day and stay inside when they’re home, and I like to travel. If anyone has found a good company for this kind of service, I’d sure be interested in hearing about it.
Sandi

Here is a link rating the top medical alert companies. My dad had LifeStation and I was very happy with them. https://www.best10medicalalertsystems.c ... ent=Button

For those living solo, I'd like to encourage you to look into one if at all feasible. I lost a dear friend recently who had a stroke when she was home alone, our lunch bunch wasn't scheduled to get together until later in the week, a mutual friend found her. She had been lying there with her faithful dog for two days. It makes me so sad.

And a few years ago, a friend of mine had a very close call. She had been to urgent care and diagnosed with bronchitis, but they had not done a chest x-ray. That evening, she was having problems breathing. She remembers calling 911 and them telling her to unlock her door, but does not remember doing it. They got in, so she must have done it.

Next thing she remembers is waking up in intensive care the next day with pneumonia and her daughters flying in from New York and Seattle. The hospital had no information about her--none! At least I have my medical records in plain view and keep a medical summary sheet handy. But I still think I should get one of those pendant things. If you live alone, you should carry your medical history, contacts, and list of medications with you at all times.

Last year, one of the teachers at the college did not show up to class one night. His students sent someone to the office and one of the secretaries tried to call him on his cell phone and then drove 50 miles to his house. Got the police to open the door, and they found him dead of a heart attack. Scary.

Another option for having information available is Road ID https://www.roadid.com

I wore one all the time when I was cycling in the middle of nowhere.

I just wish I could find a company that has all the pluses and no minuses. I’ve gotten so frustrated looking for the best company. I really need to get one because it can be weeks in between when I talk to anyone, not days. Depressing, I know, but that’s my life. I worry so much about what will happen to my dogs if I die and no one finds me for weeks. They won’t make it.
Sandi

I know just what you guys mean! Sometimes I leave the house and realize there isn't a soul in the whole world who knows where I am! And when we are home alone it could be hours or days before anyone calls or visits or even misses us! I, too, have thought about those devices, but I had a friend who had one for years and never used it for an emergency! Each time she fell and couldn't get up, she would call me if she could reach her phone, and forget about pushing the little button! In any case, after the firemen come out to pick someone up a time or two they tell you they won't respond any longer! So even if you have a magic button there's no guarantee you'll get help if police and fire have you low on their priority list! I live in a community that is mainly senior citizens and if you aren't bleeding, there's no shooting involved, or you aren't reporting chest pains you may or may not get help. Sad, isn't it?

I sure don't want yet another thing hanging around my neck either! My reading glasses are always hanging there, and at rallies, etc. I have an ID of some sort hanging there. You bend over to get something out of a drawer and hang yourself up on handles, etc. I suppose the watch band model would work, but I already have a watch on one wrist and I would like to be able to wear bracelets on the other instead of what looks like a second watch. Perhaps one of those companies would come out with a combined one that could replace a regular watch as well as become an alarm? And some of these companies only work at your home base, not when you're traveling or shopping or whatever.

Years ago, back East, the Senior Center in our small community had a program where they paired folks with health issues or who were alone. My Mom was paired with a lady who was a shut-in and her children lived far away. They only met over the phone initially, but agreed on a time each day that was acceptable to both of them and they had a daily phone check on each other. If my Mom was going out for the day, she would call this lady and tell her not to expect the call that day, or set up a different time, etc. They each had the other's list of phone numbers of who to contact as well as a next door neighbor or someone who could go check. In a pinch the local police would (should) make a wellness check. Mom did this for a year or so until it became bothersome for her. The other lady didn't drive and my Mom found herself feeling obligated to become her go-to person to run errands, take her to medical app'ts, etc. By then, though, she was watching my boys after school and they were instructed on what to do - give her orange juice if she was acting "funny" or call me at work. I'm sure she felt quite guilty for ditching her contact lady.

We all want our independence and resent interference in our daily lives. We want to be free to come and go as we please whether we are full-timing or in a stick and stone, but we do need to address this problem!

Pooker

Bob's video is great! I just hoped for a wider range of evaluation. I like to camp tucked away in the mountains, and my legs are not what they once were. Luckily I'm an excellent fall-er , so no problems yet, but I'm thinking maybe I should start being more careful.

I email my daughters “Good Morning” every day and they return the greeting. I have a mutual agreement with Neighbor across the street. We close our drapes every evening and open them in the morning. If the drapes aren’t open by 11am we investigate.

I did have an episode 4:30 am, called 911, was taken to ER. Told I had ruptured appendix, I said call my children. A happy ending.

I always donate to the local volunteer Fire Dept and am especially nice to the young firemen.

Hope these might work for you too.

Shirl, I had the same thing with my mom, if I didn't get that morning email I was on the phone right then.

if you have a burglar alarm in your home, check to see if they have a "panic" button or medic alert button as a part of their service. Mine does and I know others do as well. For a more active person there are now devices available that will track you wherever you go. You don't need to install the system in your home. Phillips Lifeline GoSafe is one I have heard about but if you google mobile medical alerts there are others.