This ‘n That

This ‘n That By Anne Vargas annevargas.3@gmail.com

Anne Vargas This is a reappearance of an article from two years ago. I wrote it then because two friends, both widows, died within weeks of one another because they were unable to summon help when needed.

Both stories were horrifying, both could have had different endings. I felt strongly about the need for people, especially if living alone, to have access to assistance and started “beating the drum” on the subject. It worked... I can’t count the number of people who told me they had heeded my advice and gotten some sort of alert device. However, despite my fervor on the subject, I did not. Why? Procrastination? Laziness? Foolishness!!!

I definitely intended to do that some day but probably felt that since my husband and I were always together, if I needed help he would be there. Then life happened; an unanticipated medical situation put my husband in the hospital for an extended period and suddenly I found myself alone in the house, suddenly, keenly aware that if I slipped on the steps or fell in the shower it could be pretty serious. I am among the many who claim my cell phone is always with me. And it actually is, I even wear a little pouch that holds it across my shoulder all the time. I put it right next to the shower when I get in there. But you know what? I realize I could still slip and fall and not be able to reach it. So, I resurrected all my rating information, comparison charts on various companies and started all over again. I am not qualified to recommend any particular company but it’s so easy to look it up on the web. Depending on the website you’ll get varying answers as to which company is the best but when studied carefully, most of the same companies appear on the top lists. In my opinion, any one of them would be fine and I finally made the choice that makes the best sense for me. Now I urge every reader to do the same if you have not done so already.

Some somber stuff to ponder & heed…

Among the many solicitation calls I always ignore is the one about medical alert devices. Later for that; maybe when I’m older. Meanwhile, I just hang up because I don’t need it. Or do I?

Horrifyingly, I recently had occasion to understand and appreciate how very important it is to have a life alert system and I am now on a mission to nag everyone I know into getting one.

In less than one month, two people whom we knew had catastrophic events while they were home alone and unable to call for help. Heartbreakingly, neither one survived. If there had been a Medical alert system in place, the outcome may have been different. It’s distressing to read or hear about stories like this but when you personally know the individuals, it really hits home and gives one cause to pause. Not only did I subsequently decide I (we) needed a medical alert device, I wondered why we hadn’t done this long ago. And why should I assume that because I live with my spouse its not necessary? A friend fell while in the shower and ended up waiting on the floor for hours, barely covered in the towel she was able to grab, until her husband came home to assist. And having a cell phone is of no use unless you have it nearby and can reach it in an emergency.

It was time to pay attention to those phone calls but once I decided to answer them and listen, they stopped. Once again, Mr. Google came to the rescue. Several hours of research resulted in an abundance of information and a multitude of websites comparing the many Medical Alert Systems available. I had no idea there are so many different companies, or how they differ in what they offer.

In a nutshell, a Medical Alert System can help you summon assistance in event of an emergency. When you think of it that way, it would seem common sense would ensure everyone would want this kind of reassurance. You have a device (necklace, bracelet or pendant) on your person at all times, all of them lightweight, unobtrusive and waterproof. Simply pressing the button and activating it would be a lifeline.

From the Consumer Report website:

If you are considering such a system, which should you choose? With the wide

Q: Bars? Bars are really problematic. I have to tell you, if you look at some of the outbreaks that we’ve seen, it’s when people go into bars, crowded bars. You know, I used to go to a bar. I used to like to sit at a bar and grab a hamburger and a beer. But when you’re at a bar, people are leaning over your shoulder to get a drink, people next to each other like this. It’s kind of fun because it’s social, but it’s not fun when this virus is in the air. So I would think that if there’s anything you want to clamp down on, for the time being, it’s bars. variety of features, options, and fees offered by so many different companies, it can be difficult to figure out what’s best for you. Before you start to shop around, you should first ask yourself these three questions: #: 1 Do You Want a Homeoften may not need a mobile system, while an active older adult may want added protection outside the home. #2: Should Your System Be Monitored or Not? A Monitoring System means that the call button connects you with someone at a 24/7 Dispatch Center. Or you can Heed / from page 22 HELLO Project / from page 24 online videos and podcasts. The important part of mindful meditation is to truly be in the moment and be patient. Don’t force it. Just be. Start with 5 minutes and gradually move up to longer times. 4. Your body is your temple. When our world is a little off, we tend to put our body on the back burner by not eating well, drinking too much, not sleeping or exercising too much or too little. The reality is we all know deep down that when we Related Biological Products Advisory Committee. The FDA commissioner has vowed publicly that he will go according to the opinion of the career scientists and the advisory board. tection Feature? Some companies offer the option of Automatic Fall Detection for an additional fee. Manufacturers say these devices sense falls when they occur and automatically contact the dispatch center, just as they would if you have pushed the call button. mine the most suitable plan. It’s well worth the effort. After searching several websites in search of highly rated Medical Alert Companies, I list the following, in alphabetical order. Some have slightly higher ratings than others but they all did well and each would be worth considering. 7. Practice loving-kindness meditation. Loving-kindness meditation increases happiness in part by making people feel more connected to others—to loved ones, acquaintances and even strangers. Research suggests that when people practice loving-kindness meditation regularly, they start automatically reacting more positively to others—and their social interactions and close relationships become more satisfying. Q: Some airlines and some states are telling people you have to get a coronavirus test before you get on the plane or visit another state. Does that make sense medically? If you’re negative when you get on the plane — except in the rare circumstance that you’re in that little incubation window before you turn positive — that’s a good thing. Based or Mobile System? Originally, medical alert systems were designed to work inside your home with your landline telephone. And you can still go that route. But many companies now choose a system that is not monitored. With these, when you press the call button the device automatically dials a friend or family member on your pre-programed emergency call list. These proddo something to benefit our body, like eat better or exercise more, we feel better, have a more positive state of mind and are more productive. 5. Be there for others. Yes, we live our own lives and have our own struggles. But, there is always someone in a more difficult position than ourselves. A simple smile and hello to a stranger There are so many possible plans and options it’s mind-boggling but I strongly believe in the importance And there are others, as well. They all have their own websites for contact information. Or check with Mr. Google… just type in “Medical Alert Systems” and do your own investigation. I have selected Q: If you had a national plan for testing, what would it be? Surveillance testing. Literally flooding the system with tests. Getting a home test that you could do yourself, that’s highly sensitive and highly specific. And you know why that would be terrific? Because if you decided that you wanted to have a small gathering with your mother-in-law and father-in-law and a couple of children, and you had a test right there. It isn’t 100 percent. Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. But the risk that you have — if everyone is tested before you get together to sit down for dinner — dramatically decreases. It might not ever be zero but, you know, we don’t live in a completely risk-free society. also offer the option of home based systems that work over a cellular network for those who may not have a landline. With these systems, pressing the wearable call button allows you to speak to a dispatcher through a base unit located in your home. But you also call for help when you’re out and about if using a cellular network that incorporates GPS technology. ucts can often be set up to call multiple people and to contact emergency services if you don’t get an answer from someone on your list. The key difference between the two is price. Monitored systems carry a monthly fee in addition to the purchase price for the device. With unmonitored systems, you generally pay only for the device itself. Monitored systems or neighbor can instantly turn their day and mood around. And it can turn yours around as well. As Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” 6. Get outside. Sometimes being outside alone is easier than being with people. Studies have shown that being outside and connecting with nature slows our perception of time and brings us into the present. Go for a walk, sit in the rose gardens or the Arboretum. A little time outside each day is good for the soul. $2.25 Million ADA Amtrak Settlement of this kind of reassuring protection. PERSONAL NOTE: While gathering this information I spoke to representatives from several companies. In almost every instance there was an offer of a fee being waived (activation, for instance), something included or a fee lowered (such as Fall Detection or Lock Box, etc.) While the company and plan that best suits our needs and I urge readers to think about this. Q: There are a number of vaccine candidates that are promising. But there’s also a lot of skepticism because we’ve seen the FDA come under both commercial and, increasingly, political pressure. When will we know it’s OK to take a vaccine? And which? This way, if you get lost or press the call button for help but are unable to talk, the monitoring service can find you. Someone who is frail and doesn’t leave the house may also have other fees, such as activation as well as minimum commitments or contracts. #3: Should You Add a Fall-De Amtrak began accepting claims for monetary compensation for people with mobility disabilities who traveled or wanted to still in my nagging mode, I would hope that anyone pursuing such a system (and I hope everyone will) would seriously compare several different companies to detertravel from or to one of 78 stations and encountered accessibility issues. Claims must be submitted by May 29, 2021. Under the agreement, Amtrak will fix inaccessible stations and pay $2.25 million to victims hurt by inaccessibility at the 78 It’s pretty easy when you have vaccines that are 95 percent stations including the Elko effective. Can’t get much better than that. I think what people station. need to appreciate — and that’s why I have said it like maybe Questions about making 100 times in the last week or two — is the process by which a claims should be directed to decision is made. The company looks at the data. I look at the the settlement administradata. Then the company puts the data to the FDA. The FDA will tor at: AmtrakDisabilitySetmake the decision to do an emergency use authorization or a tlement.com; info@Amtraklicense application approval. And they have career scientists DisabilitySettlement.com; who are really independent. They’re not beholden to anybody. toll free at 1-888-334-6165, Then there’s another independent group, the Vaccines and and TTY 1-866-411-6976.

Q: You feel the career scientists will have the final say?

Yes, yes.

Q: And will the decisions that are being made in this transition period — like the vaccine distribution plan — in any way

limit the options of a new administration? No, I don’t think so. I think a new administration will have the choice of doing what they feel. But I can tell you what’s going to happen, regardless of the transition or not, is that we have people totally committed to doing it right that are going to be involved in this. So I have confidence in that. 8. Be your own #1. “If you make friends with yourself, you will never be alone,” wrote Maxwell Maltz. The ability to be alone with yourself allows you to do what you please. You can live life to the beat of your own drum. You can do what you want. Eat what you want. Go where you want. Being alone allows us to truly reset and helps us be the best versions of ourselves possible.

Q: When do you think we’ll all be able to throw our masks

away? Remember, you are not alone. We are all in the same place. I think that we’re going to have some degree of public health We hope that these tips have helped you. And if you are lookmeasures together with the vaccine for a considerable period ing to connect with others in our community, we invite you of time. But we’ll start approaching normal — if the over-to join us on It Starts with Hello, our virtual gathering every whelming majority of people take the vaccine — as we get into the third or fourth quarter [of 2021].Bay Alarm Medical Life Alert Tuesday and Thursday at noon. Please visit hellostartsnow.org for more information. You can listen to the full interview on KHN’s “What the Life Station Information from this article taken from Eight Ways to Ease Health?” podcast. Elisabeth Rosenthal: erosenthal@kff.org, @rosenthalhealth Medical Alert Medical Guardian the Pain of Loneliness by Emma Seppala, Ph.D., https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/eight_ways_to_ease_the_ pain_of_loneliness. MobileHelp

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