✨✨General Discussions

We are not yet in a CCRC but my parents moved to an Erickson community for nearly 16 years ago. My mom wears pendant that only works in the community. They are advised to ALWAYS use that pendant since in-house security are also trained first responders and they respond in just a couple minutes. Mom has used either that pull cord in her apartment or the necklace on several occasions. Her community - Maris Grove in Glen Mills PA - has about 900 residents, so it's a big often-confusing campus for anyone to navigate. While EMTs may well be called (by security once they've assessed the situation), the resident is attended to far more quickly than they would if they called 911 directly.

When my dad died a few years ago, security arrived in less than 24 hours with a pendant for mom. Prior to that, neither one had one. The device is also test (by Maris Grove security) once a month and serviced annually (again, by Maris Grove security)

If it's not an Erickson or Maris Grove requirement that those living alone have one, it's a terrific idea to do so. Wearing it consistently, of course, is a personal choice.

At Westminster Place, also in Evanston IL, we have what are called SARA buttons.

They can be either pendants or wristbands.

I would say the most, but certainly not all residents use them.

They only work on our campus.

Campus security responds to the call.

Supposedly they can tell our location but there is some confusion about that.

They tell us that in a true medical emergency we should call 911 first. That we should rely on EMTs not our own security people in a medical emergency. I am wondering if that is the practice elsewhere.

My community, The Mather Evanston in Illinois, intends to replace our current emergency call pendants. Our Health Committee is tasked with investigating to see what systems are being successfully used in other communities.

If your community issues a wearable emergency call device:

Is it a pendant? Wristband? Other?

Is it comfortable to wear?

Do residents faithfully wear it? Or does it sit in the drawer?

Does it work only on the property or offsite also?

Who responds to the call?

Is it waterproof in the shower? In the pool?

Can it be reset remotely if it goes off inadvertently?

Are there negatives to your system?

If you know, who is the vendor?

Thank you very much. for your assistance.

Susan Wise