Re: Idea for Cheap Alarm System

["Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Robert L Bass <RobertLBass@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Rod Speed wrote

>>> The thing I know from my dad, and other people
>>> in that age group, is that it's got to be really simple.

>> I've never been convinced about that, it actually needs to be quite intelligent instead.

> I think he means that using it has to be simple.

That isnt clear at all, particularly with his claim
about it not being desirable to have a pre alarm
warning but to wear the false alarms instead.

And while the chain system is simple, its really too
primitive. A completely automatic system based on
movement detection and a panic button that the
individual carrys at all times is much more useful.

> On that I agree.

>>> Pre-warning buzzers and flashing lights will just
>>> get them PO'd.

>> Cant agree with that at all. They are likely to get
>> much more pissed off about the alarm going off
>> and triggering some intervention when they just
>> forget to pull the chain at the right time of day.

> IME the gentleman is correct.  A buzzer or flashing
> light isn't a problem as long as it's loud enough to
> be heard but not so loud that it startles.  Also, a
> phone call to check and make sure he's alright can
> be a welcome event to someone who lives alone.

Then it makes no sense to have a system which
requires the individual to pull the chain once a day.

> I had elderly customers whose alarms we used to
> monitor when I owned an alarm company.  Once
> in a while we'd get a "fail to test" signal at the
> monitoring station and I'd call to check on them.
> Elderly people living alone can feel isolated and a
> phone call, even from an "agency", can be a nice thing.

Sure, but there is no point in the daily chain pull for those.

>> And thats why a more intelligent system that
>> works automatically on movement is much
>> better than something simple too, you dont even need to hit the stupid chain daily, or need to
>> pull it when it warns either.

> I think there are folks for whom a manual action
> such as pushing an "I'm OK" button or pulling a
> chain next to the bed when they rise can be best.
> For others an automated system may be more
> appropriate.  We shouldn't assume that one
> solution is best for all clients.

Sure, but thats just as true of his keep it simple claim too.

>>> Let's say "grandpa" forgot to "push the button"..
>>> Worst case, is the kids get a call, and he gets a phone call.

>> Much better to pull the chain when it warns than to
>> have to field that call when its just been forgotten.

> Not necessarily.  During the call he might say, "Yes,
> I'm here but I'm feeling ill."  The central station op
> could then send help or notify a family member.

Using that line, there is no point in the chain system at all.

They'd be better with a daily phone call instead.

>>> Thing is, with a simple timer, it doesn't need to be a "pull chain", but could be a trigger from
>>> a motion sensor in the bathroom.  If they don't take a pee in 6-24 hours, there's a problem!

>> Sure, and that is what I proposed originally.

> You can design an elder care system to check for
> motion, respond to pendant panic transmitters, etc.

Its not necessarily just 'elder care' either, it makes a lot
of sense to have some mechanism like this for all those
who live alone, integrated into the alarm system.

> Sensors can be attached to the medicine cabinet
> refrigerator door, etc., to make sure the client is up and about, eating regularly and taking his
> meds on schedule.

Gets messy tho deciding when to alarm food consumption wise.

> There's even a sensor you can place on the toilet
> seat cover to sense when it's opened or closed.
> The detector, originally intended to sense glass
> breakage, is very appropriately named a "Wiz".  :)

> The problem is that the OP (as another poster reminded me earlier) asked for an inexpensive
> system.

It doesnt necessarily add much at all to the cost of a decent
alarm system. Its essentially extra logic rather than extra
components with most stuff except the carried panic button.
And that is pretty essential to get assistance as quickly as
possible after a fall or just not being able to get out of bed
or the chair etc.

The main problem is that we could never get our geriatric to wear it.
He appeared to decide that it was too much of an admission of how
geriatric he had become, although he did get a cellphone on his own
initiative which he carried when out on his walks for exercise. I'd love
to why one was acceptable and the other wasnt, but it can be quite
hard to work that stuff out once they are getting rather nutty. Some
of them can be quite remarkably nutty.