Call Systems in facilities

Good morning all.

We have a request from our MN partners at ALS. They are curious to know what others are doing about call systems in facilities. See below and let me know if you any ideas.

 

Ex. We got a call last week from a facility nurse wondering what we can do for a gentleman who is having a harder time using the pendant for their call system. As his ALS progresses, he no longer has the strength to press the pendant. They could not tell me much about the system except that it uses this pendant (kind of like lifeline wrist pendant) and is run over wi-fi. The aides do not carry phones, only an iPad, and are not stationed at the nurses' station 24/7. He still has speech, so we discussed alternatives like using his Smart Home (which can be challenging on facility wi-fi), using a Smart Watch for fall detection and GPS, which would allow him to call for help, or other apps that would connect to their iPad so he could call. The nurse was not sure about any of this, and ultimately came down to he will probably need to move.

So really, the challenge is accessing these systems physically and verbally, sometimes both.

I would love to hear ideas that people have because I have been trying to research this for years, and have yet to find a viable option.

2 replies

null
    • Matthew_White
    • 3 wk ago
    • Reported - view

    A Fingerbot or Switchbot could potentially press the standard button used to request assistance. A quick solution might be to attach the button pusher to the current Lifeline-like device using tape.  However, this approach would require a smart assistant like Amazon Echo and access to the facility's Wi-Fi, which it sounds like may or may not be a challenge.

      • Training and Technical Assistance Lead
      • Ryan_Rausch.1
      • 2 days ago
      • Reported - view

       That Fingerbot is a total game-changer! Just checking it out for the first time - thanks for sharing this awesome AT solution!

      I love how it offers multiple control options including voice commands, which sounds perfect for someone with speech but limited physical strength. The best part is how adaptable it is as conditions progress with ALS - if speech becomes affected later on - it appears it could even connect to AAC devices with eyegaze. 

      I can even imagine a custom 3D printed case that could hold the alert pendant in place with a way to attach the Fingerbot button pusher, which would then be placed in the residence. 

      Fingerbot - https://www.adaprox.io/products/fingerbot-plus-1?variant=41752424382669 

      Switchbot - https://us.switch-bot.com/products/switchbot-bot

Login to reply

Content aside

  • 1 Likes
  • 2 days agoLast active
  • 2Replies
  • 11Views
  • 3 Following