I've already posted this under Technology but as I'm asking for info this seemed a better forum. I am in my late 70s and live alone. My health and mobility seem to be pretty OK, though I do get tired. However, time to face the reality that I am two years off 80 and I need to ensure my own wellbeing and safety. Without being overdramatic, it occurred to me that it's not impossible that I could die and no one would know for at least a few days (and my poor cats would be wondering why I wasn't getting up to feed them!)
I have two daughters, one of whom lives 15 minutes away by car but isn't great at responding to calls (she's much more responsive on WhatsApp). I do think that if I was hospitalised and the hospital called her as my next of kin, she wouldn't be prompt in answering the phone.
My other daughter lives 400 miles away in Scotland but is more reliable in responding to texts and calls. I have discussed my concerns with her and she suggested that I send her a very short "hello" text each morning. If she hasn't heard from me by the evening, she can call me herself or call a couple of back-up neighbours who have keys to my house and can check up on me.
However, I also think it might be useful (and perhaps less onerous for my Scotland daughter) if I had some personal device that would alert her or emergency services if I had, say, a fall or even a stroke or heart attack. But there seems to be a plethora of products on offer and I don't know where to begin. I know also that any device I have will need to be digital and not landline-based, as the latter are all being digitised in 2027 apparently.
Age UK have sent me some general leaflets and have directed me to an organisation called Living Made Easy, which lists different products – but again, there are so many that it's confusion. Where to begin? Any advice and information welcome. Thank you!
