chemgal

Good idea!

This is a very important topic. I believe seniors probably  don't understand the value of having a cell phone especially in emergency  or how it works. The government might help inform them by using TV ads or literature  as well as Seniors Centers they attend could teach them.

You have probably seen the  TV ads ...."Help, I've fallen and I can't get up".....those little gadgets that seniors carry on them  to call 911 or friends in an emergency. I'm not sure but I think they only work at home?  There are also portable phones ( not cell) that are convenient to use at home in various locations  with no extra  monthly charge if you have a land line.

A cell phone can be used in a lot of locations although it may be a bit more bulky to carry around at home.  I agree with you that we should be promoting the importance of them to seniors.  They can certainly save lives.

Thanks Stardust!  It's good to hear that someone a bit closer to this target age group agrees!

Luckily this time around the couple was found pretty quickly.

Chemgal, as the daughter of an 88 year old father, it isn't always easy to provide guidance.  They may have had a cell phone, and forgot it.   They may have someone who is concerned about their driving, but they chose to do so anyhow.

Pinga, I'm including those seniors in this too.  Forgetting the cell is one thing.  Some purposely don't take it with them.  Why the attitude when they don't have it when it comes to younger, healthy adults?

While I agree with the advisability of carrying cell phones in case of emergency, let's turn this question around.

What responsibility do we have to keep a watchful eye out for seniors? 

Do we keep an eye on their house across the street - have the drapes been opened or closed?  a light left on during the day, or no lights on after dark?  mail or newspapers piling up?  the car gone? 

Do we know their routines - do they just take short trips and are always home before dark?  do they go off to visit their daughter for a week or so at a time?  Does anybody in the neighbourhood know the daughter's phone number? 

Does somebody from the church keep in touch?  Could they be called on a regular basis? 

My uncle fell at home and broke his hip.  No way to summon help - and he couldn't have gotten to a cell phone unless he carried it in his pocket.  In the hours that followed he crawled to the front door.  When he heard the mailman's feet on the steps he started to shout.  The mailman flipped open the mail slot in the door and asked "Does somebody need help?"   Son summoned.  Ambulance called.  Everything OK.    If it wasn't for the regular delivery of mail, and an alert mailman, he could have lain there for hours more, or even days, until his son came around.

Some interesting thoughts here.  I am a senior and I don't own a cell phone.  One of my adult kids nags that I 'should' have one.  I doubt I'm the only person who looks at the added cost of instant access via cell and decides that the available money could be spent on something else.  There are many seniors in this area who don't use computers - do others have a responsibility to nag them to get, and use one? 

I remember having conversations with my mother on this topic of safety and emergency access to help.  She said the necklaces with a Help button were too expensive.  We bought her one anyway.  Then discovered that it wasnn't practical to have it contact a family member (work, health or distance issues)..  Mom didn't wear it.  Many years later a terminally ill sibling was in the same position and made the same choice to refuse to wear a Help button necklace.  At the moment hubby and I look out for each other - but I suspect that if either of us lived alone we could be in need with no one knowing it.  Our adult kids aren't in constant communication, each pops in or phones occasionally.  I'm not convinced that I would remember to use a cell phone if I had one.

I agree that we could all do a better job of looking out for each other though.  One reads about people falling or becoming ill and not being found for far too long.  Actually I have heard of people (not always vulnerable elderly people) actually being dead for weeks before anyone realised.   

I have two portable phones ( not cell)  that I use  around the apt. anywhere or out  on the balcony. They work via the landline so there's no monthly charge.

I'm surrounded by highrises and condos where nobody knows their neighbors. People come and go ( move away)  like flies. We keep our drapes or blinds closed so the  loonies can't see in.   If I took a big interest in a senior's welfare  I might be accused of wanting something ( money) or of stalking. The families don't always appreciate it. Its pretty well normal city life that we don't trust each other. Seniors mental health isn't  always the best , there are  accusations of stealing etc.