Alexa/Echo or similar devices for emergency calls

dmarbell

dmarbell

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My Significant Other had a recent medical emergency requiring a call to 911. She went downstairs from her upstairs bedroom without her cell phone. Luckily, I have a portable phone hooked up to VOIP via Magic Jack (to save my home number I've had for 25 years) but it's pretty squirrelly. It worked this time, thank goodness.

Anyway, it started me thinking about medical alert situations. At 64.83 and 64.17 years of age, respectively, we are a little young for "I've fallen and I can't get up!" buttons around our necks, at least I think so LOL.

There are varying internet opinions on using the Alexa/Echo style devices to call emergency numbers. Kim Komando has a method on her website.

Anyone know if it works correctly, using her instructions or other setup? If so, how do you test it without dialing 911?

I am a little concerned about privacy issues with these devices. Can they be trained to not share information over the internet?

Are there other technologies out there that I should look at?

Edit: I also have another VOIP phone number through Spectrum internet, but nothing is currently hooked up to it.
 
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We brothers worry about our MOM who insists on remaining in her home well into her 90's (bless her).

I suggested, and it was finally adopted, a number of Echos around the home with a gadget that connects to her landline (Amazon says it also works with VOIP). In theory, she should be able to shout, "Call XXX" and the gadget will place the call with the Echo functioning as a speakerphone.

https://www.amazon.com/Echo-Connect-requires-compatible-Alexa-enabled/dp/B076ZRFP6Y
 
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No idea what Kim Kimando is.
Have it dial any other number. It should work the same way.
No they want your information and they will get it.
Not sure about any others.
 
Although I don't think you are quite to the point where you would require the active real-time monitoring, Best Buy recently partnered with an assured living company. We offer free in home consultation to determine what devices/services would meet your needs. Anywhere from just automatic locks and doorbell cameras/motion sensors to the wearable alert pendants and bed sensors. I know there are some devices that support verbal calls for help if the pendants aren't a good fit. But it may be worth your time for an in home advisor to come out. Mine excels in connected/smarthome and home theater builds. Depending on how you look at it, it's either very reassuring or creepy to have an expert walk up to your home and say "I don't see any cameras/motion sensors on this side of the house, if you put a camera here, it'll cover these two entry points etc". Let me know if you are interested via pm, and I can schedule you a consultation. It's free for the consult, takes 20-45 minutes and they likely will be able to give you many better options that fit what you are looking for than I can; I specialize in Appliances.
 
In response to the we’re not old enough for the I’ve fallen and can’t get up comment. You aren’t old enough for that type of system until suddenly you are and it is too late. I’m going through this wake up call with my parents now. They were basically fine and independent until they weren’t. Now they really need a one story house, electronics and help. Yesterday. Get what you’ll need BEFORE you need it. Including a house with no stairs, panic button(s) and whatever else your situation calls for.
 
My 91 yo mom lives alone. She has a Life Alert. She calls me on the phone when something happens. She doesn't want to bother anyone at Life Alert. :rolleyes: Fortunately she's only needed to call 911 once. Well, I called them when she called me! She tells me all the time, "Don't take me to a home, the only way to get out of there is in a hearse!"
I would hang my phone around my neck before I would put an Alexa in my house.
 
I may be mistaken, but can't you answer or make calls on some of the Apple watches? If so, that might fit your needs.
 
Jeppo said:
We brothers worry about our MOM who insists on remaining in her home well into her 90's (bless her).

I suggested, and it was finally adopted, a number of Echos around the home with a gadget that connects to her landline (Amazon says it also works with VOIP). In theory, she should be able to shout, "Call XXX" and the gadget will place the call with the Echo functioning as a speakerphone.

https://www.amazon.com/Echo-Connect-requires-compatible-Alexa-enabled/dp/B076ZRFP6Y
Click to expand...
My only concern with the Echo connect with VoIP is my experience with VoIP has always been subpar. It never worked great when I needed it. But ot be fair, I've only tried majicJack and Ooma, and both were almost 10 years ago
 
BBD280 said:
I may be mistaken, but can't you answer or make calls on some of the Apple watches? If so, that might fit your needs.
Click to expand...
In our specific case, MOM has plenty of gadgets (phones, pendants, etc.) she should be carrying around the house but rarely does. We were looking for a solution that would always work as long as she was conscious and could speak.

The new watches can detect all kinds of issues (bodily measurements, lack of movement, falls, etc.) which makes them very interesting AS LONG AS THEY'RE BEING WORN.
 
Metalliman27055 said:
My only concern with the Echo connect with VoIP is my experience with VoIP has always been subpar. It never worked great when I needed it. But ot be fair, I've only tried majicJack and Ooma, and both were almost 10 years ago
Click to expand...
Our Mom still has a POTS line so VOIP isn’t a concern there. I’ve had several Vonage VOIP lines since it was first introduced and it works fine (as long as there’s power and sufficient internet bandwidth). I keep the landline, just in case.
 
CZfool68 said:
In response to the we’re not old enough for the I’ve fallen and can’t get up comment. You aren’t old enough for that type of system until suddenly you are and it is too late. I’m going through this wake up call with my parents now. They were basically fine and independent until they weren’t. Now they really need a one story house, electronics and help. Yesterday. Get what you’ll need BEFORE you need it. Including a house with no stairs, panic button(s) and whatever else your situation calls for.
Click to expand...

My father fell twice last year. He REFUSED for me to install anything in his home for him. Once was exiting the shower, once in the driveway while waiting for his ride to dialysis(that was 45 minutes late of course). Thankfully he was close enough to the road that a UPS driver saw him laying in the snow and was able to help him up. He couldn't find his phone to call for help, as it had bounced about 10 feet away when he fell. If I had thought he would charge it, he would have had a 4g smartwatch the next day.
I look at it just like an EDC firearm: It's all in what you are comfortable with and what you will HAVE AVAILABLE and with you when you need it.
 
There's a reason why companies like Life Alert have been around forever, they are proven and work... I couldn't begin to count the number of medical alarms I have responded to....despite being the bain of EMS/FD response because so many are a false activation, they have truly saved lives.

SilentBeacon looks like it has some promise as well.

If you use iThings, the watch will call 911, we have had some of our providers watches call 911 or ask if they needed 911 because it detected thrm doing CPR. You can also ask Siri to call if you are close enough to your phone.

One thing to consider is that if the power goes out, Alexa takes a nap, a dedicated Life Alert system keeps working and they have a variety of pendents, etc.

Some insurance companies will even pay for them if you call and ask.

Whatever you choose to use, make sure that you have a way for the responders to get in... Life Alert will keep key location information they can relay as well
 
The pendants seem like a good idea to me. They're easily concealed, and not too bothersome. I know when I worked retail, we used a very similar pendant under our shirts that would alert the police if it was activated during a robbery, and no one minded wearing them.

As far as the 'not old enough' thing, it can honestly hit most any mature adult any any time. I had a coworker who popped his hip out of the socket while sitting on the john. He fell off the john, and the skin on his back stuck to the cold tile floor like a suction cup. He had to call 911 to come pick him up and carry him to the doctor, and he was only in his early 60's.
 
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