These commercials do bother me. I have flashbacks of my mother falling. I think they put fear in everyone’s mind, the elderly and caregivers. My mom is no longer living with me. As most of you know she is at my brother’s house but the commercials still get to me.
Yes, they want to show how the product works and maybe I am just overly sensitive to the commercials.
Also, the radio commercials with the ads for caregivers on AARP. The ones that tell you to go to the AARP website for caregiver tips. They promote being a caregiver and not everyone is cut out to be a caregiver.
It’s interesting because I don’t see commercials for assisted living or nursing homes very often. But when I toured assisted living facilities they hounded me endlessly to get my business, invitations to all sorts of functions!
Some of them were very high pressure. Not all of them but it’s obvious that they keep everyone’s phone numbers on file and do many follow up calls.
I am surprised with all of the seniors that there aren’t more commercials for products pertaining to their needs. I see the ones for pads or diapers occasionally but unless it’s an infomercial on something, not much else like canes or walkers.
Something more realistic would show someone who's fallen while in PJs, or in the bathtub, or painfully sprawled on the floor or on a set of stairs. But that would make potential purchasers cringe.
I do think the devices are invaluable though, cellphone age notwithstanding. A senior in need should have something with immediate and rapid response; he/she shouldn't have to turn on the phone, wait for it to load, then go through even a quick menu to call for help.
I never keep mine on or with me as I use it only rarely; it's in a case in my purse, except when I garden, just in case I tangle with an aggressive tree.
In addition, the providers of the alerts can also provide the often necessary service of notifying first responders and family, while someone laying on the floor in pain doesn't always have that presence of mind.
Besides, they show the various Colonel Penn commercials pretty often, knowing Alex is a compensated endorser.
Luminess Silk commercial is even worse
But it bothers me more that other people think this the woman is "whiney" or criticize her appearance. If you live alone with help out of reach, fall and cannot get up, you can easily feel as desperate as this woman sounds. I have been there.
Don't for a minute assume that everyone, especially a senior who may not be too comfortable with electronics, has their "phone" with them at all times! Mine is usually out of reach when I am at home. I don't carry it 24/7. And don't assume that getting up from a fall is a simple matter (it is for most people when younger, but not always for seniors). If one has had both knees replaced, it may be excruciatingly painful to even try. If the fall has resulted in an injury, e.g. a hip fracture, it may be impossible.
I now live in an independent living apartment but have a wrist (can also be a pendent) button to summon help from facility caregivers. I used it several times until I had spine surgery that mostly eliminated all falls. However, it is still reassuring to have it handy.
I am skeptical about some of these devices that can be used outside of a facility. Nice if you have family. But I do not. Certainly don't want to bother good friends, especially at night, who have better things to do than to look after me. Are there devices that just call the local fire department or some similar service?
If he didn't answer, it called me, and then first responders if I couldn't be reached. The 3 people to be called can vary; it could be arranged with the company to call first responders before anyone else.
What we also did was have a friend attach a lockbox in the house studs next to the front door. I provided the combination to first responders so they could get in since I was a 45+ minute drive away.
I felt it was valuable and reliable. More than once Dad received a call while I was there; he was just bending over putting on his shoes or picking up something from the floor.
We arranged for that service through a company which made its name providing household burglary and monitoring services. Although local to Michigan, it has expanded into other areas.
I don't recall if it activated outside of Dad's house, i.e., in the yard, but it did activate when he was the VA once.