By Susan M. Graham, Certified Elder Law Attorney, Senior Edge Legal, Boise, Idaho
Last week, my friend, Ida, fell in her condo and knocked herself out. She lives alone. Luckily Ida had an app on her phone that notified Alice of the fall. Alice lives in another unit in the same building, Within five minutes she was there to help Ida. What a relief!
This could happen to anyone, even you.
These days technology is available to help anyone who has an Android or iPhone smartphone. The AARP Magazine, August / September 2020 issue has an article entitled “A Guardian Angel in Your Pocket,” by Jeff Csatari, (page 17). This article lists smartphone apps to make life safer. The remainder of this blog is his article.
- BSafe. This voice-activated SOS system sends your location to your selected contacts and automatically streams and records emergency video. Features a built-in siren. Android, iOS; free
- Dark Sky Weather. Provides hyperlocal weather info for the next hour. Don’t get caught in a storm! iOS; $3.99/ lifetime
- First Aid by American Red Cross. Contains valuable info on what to do in any common first-aid emergency. Also download free Red Cross apps for emergency weather alerts and expert advice for tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and floods. Android, iOS; free
- Medisafe Medication Reminder. Get reminders on your phone for when to take your medication or supplements and when your supplies are running low. Caregivers get real-time missed medication alerts. The app also warns of potentially dangerous drug interactions. Android, iOS; free
- ICE Medical Standard. It’s like a medical alert bracelet on your smartphone’s lock-screen display, informing first responders of your conditions, allergies, medications and emergency medical contact information. Android, iOS; free
- Noonlight. Silently calls for help to your exact location with the tap of a button. A trained operator at Noonlight’s monitoring center will text and call you to verify the alarm. If you can’t talk or don’t respond, the app sends 911 an alert including GPS location, profile information, and even a picture of you. Android, iOS; free
- Snug Safety. Made for people who live alone, this app checks on you at a time of day you select. You press a green check mark on the app and receive a quote of the day. If you fail to check in, your emergency contacts are notified. Android, iOS; free
What should you do? Take the time to look at apps to add to your smartphone to give you and those who care about you the peace of mind to know you are safe or when you need help.
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