Anyone caring for an elderly parent or relative, or caring for anyone who is alone for awhile at any time, always has concerns about what happens if that person falls, or is otherwise unable to get to a phone and call for help if needed. Until recently, I thought the only answer was a monitored service. The disadvantage of those services, my opinion, is that they are expensive and often not well suited for people who are hard of hearing. The base station is usually mounted on a wall and the user has to communicate with the monitor operator through the base station. (If you fall in the bathroom and the base is in the living room...you're screwed) So, imagine my surprise when I found a new (to me) technology that is easy to use, more flexible, better for the hard of hearing, and has no monthly fee. If you have an interest, follow below the orange thingy.
The vtech "CareLine Home Safety Telephone System with Safety Pendant" comes with a corded base station with four speed dial buttons, answering machine, and all the other bells and whistles of a modern DECT 6.0 phone. Also has a cordless phone for placement elsewhere...and most importantly a wearable pendant that also functions as a phone and easy to use alert system for the user. The pendant has two buttons: 1 and 2. If the user pushes button #1, a call is placed to the number registered for speed-dial button #1 on the base station. Same then for pendant button #2...calls that number. The pendant also has voice recognition. Pressing the "voice" button" allow the user to say "call speed dial 3" or call 'speed dial 4." The user can also use the pendant to take calls and talk...just like a full size cordless phone. (can also use to ask what time it is, the date, etc...)
The pendant comes with a charging station, necklace cord or belt clip holder. Operates for about 16 hours on a charge.
Available for less than $100 at various places...including online. Check it out. The pictures will help you understand this little wonder. Just bought and installed one for my 94 y/o MIL and she's delighted. Good documentation and instructions in large print.
Hope someone finds this useful. No...I have no financial interest in the company.
(vtech is a registered trademark)