Thanks for your provocative piece on Life Alert, a product targeted to those of us old enough to qualify for Medicare and prone to fear, a strong motivator. To me, its ads are as ceaseless and unwelcome as new crow’s feet. Each of us needs to decide what’s right for us or, just as often, whether to agree to relatives’ and/or friends’ pleas that we take the leap and invest. Often, as you suggest, they are the beneficiaries. I hope Herb benefits from his decision.
A while ago, I decided against taking the leap, making the Life Alert “investment” in fear reduction. Why? For the same reason I bought and returned an Apple Watch, i.e., as long as I am the decider I don’t want to be tethered to an addictive device. My decision was also based two outside influences: (1) an award-winning, now classic, reader-friendly, book “How We Die” by Dr. Sherwin Nuland, a Yale surgeon and very wise man and (2) my adherence to Stoic philosophy which argues for accepting fate, something we cannot control. Thinking the issue through helped me. It’s all I encourage anyone to do. I am not against fear reduction. I am against fear mongering.
my 78 yr old friend Virginia who pokes fun at herself for being a cat Lady (she has had at least 2 live past age 20) mentioned to her brother Tommy how she had read they will knaw away at your face if you die and are left undiscoverd for awhile....now he calls her every day and they both sleep better 😅
I live with people, who would call for an ambulance. They'd probably love the idea of me vacationing, not necessarily in a hospital, but just a mini a vacation, from a retired person who has more energy than they do would be nice for them.
Hillarious, not hilarious! Just today I was given a pamphlet fro a free program called HowRU. Each day at the designated time the program calls the subscriber. If they answer the call they are instructed to press 1 if they are OK, and to dial 911 if they need assistance. Why the "subscriber" hasn't already called 911 the pamphlet does say. Oh my.
After my father stubbornly refused to wear one of these devices even after several falls, I vowed that I would wear one when it was necessary. That's the question: when is it necessary?
My Grandma was 104 when we lost her. She didn't want a wheelchair, she didn't want anyone to know she sat on a chair that had wheels. So she had a smallish chair that had small wheels, that she thought no one could see.
Thanks for your provocative piece on Life Alert, a product targeted to those of us old enough to qualify for Medicare and prone to fear, a strong motivator. To me, its ads are as ceaseless and unwelcome as new crow’s feet. Each of us needs to decide what’s right for us or, just as often, whether to agree to relatives’ and/or friends’ pleas that we take the leap and invest. Often, as you suggest, they are the beneficiaries. I hope Herb benefits from his decision.
A while ago, I decided against taking the leap, making the Life Alert “investment” in fear reduction. Why? For the same reason I bought and returned an Apple Watch, i.e., as long as I am the decider I don’t want to be tethered to an addictive device. My decision was also based two outside influences: (1) an award-winning, now classic, reader-friendly, book “How We Die” by Dr. Sherwin Nuland, a Yale surgeon and very wise man and (2) my adherence to Stoic philosophy which argues for accepting fate, something we cannot control. Thinking the issue through helped me. It’s all I encourage anyone to do. I am not against fear reduction. I am against fear mongering.
ahhh the Golden Girls!!!😇
my 78 yr old friend Virginia who pokes fun at herself for being a cat Lady (she has had at least 2 live past age 20) mentioned to her brother Tommy how she had read they will knaw away at your face if you die and are left undiscoverd for awhile....now he calls her every day and they both sleep better 😅
I laughed out loud at this one!! I have an Apple watch that notifies emergency if I fall and don't say I'm OK. Good solution
This is simultaneously so sad and hilarious on so many levels. Loved it.
Joyce, I don't have an apartment, but if I did, you could have it.
I live with people, who would call for an ambulance. They'd probably love the idea of me vacationing, not necessarily in a hospital, but just a mini a vacation, from a retired person who has more energy than they do would be nice for them.
Hillarious, not hilarious! Just today I was given a pamphlet fro a free program called HowRU. Each day at the designated time the program calls the subscriber. If they answer the call they are instructed to press 1 if they are OK, and to dial 911 if they need assistance. Why the "subscriber" hasn't already called 911 the pamphlet does say. Oh my.
After my father stubbornly refused to wear one of these devices even after several falls, I vowed that I would wear one when it was necessary. That's the question: when is it necessary?
If you’re asking the question, it’s necessary.
Ah, Joyce! What would we do without you???
Love it. We tried to get my mother to wear one after her SECOND broken hip. No dice. I believe she thought it would make her look old. She was 90
My Grandma was 104 when we lost her. She didn't want a wheelchair, she didn't want anyone to know she sat on a chair that had wheels. So she had a smallish chair that had small wheels, that she thought no one could see.