Singles:  Staying Alive

By Joni Johnson

In 2019, shortly after arriving at RVM, I came down with the flu.  Even though I get vaccinated every year, it just so happened that Flu A was not part of the vaccine.  I just thought I didn’t feel well and went to take a nap.  Sometime later, my husband Tom came into see me and couldn’t wake me.  So he called security and 911 and I spent 8 days in the hospital getting over pneumonia. I have often wondered what would have happened if Tom had not been there. Would I have died living alone?  Tom passed away in 2022 and I have been trying to figure out how to protect myself as a single person if this should ever happen to me again.

Snug Safety

I think I have it solved.  There are quite a few options now.  One option of course is to text someone each day.  However, that is a lot of trouble and so easy to forget.  There is an app for the phone called Snug Safety.  It was recommended to me by a friend.  It is a free app although it does have a paid version that includes a telephone call. Its website (https://www.snugsafe.com/how-snug-works) describes the service as follows:  Snug is the free daily check-in app for seniors who live alone. Snug checks in with you every day to confirm you’re okay and if there is no response, alerts your emergency contacts so you can quickly get help (and your pets will be taken care of, too). Snug has been used by thousands of Americans for over 10 million check-ins.” You give them your smart phone number and the number of one or two contacts.  Then you choose a time you want to be contacted.  I chose 9:00 AM.  So starting around 7 AM, I get a text reminding me to push a button.  If I push it, all is well.  If I miss checking in, it will contact my emergency contact.  If I paid $199/year, it would call me personally to make sure that I wasn’t ill.  So now I feel much safer.

https://www.snugsafe.com/how-snug-works

A second option available is a motion sensor in my cottage or apartment available through RVM.  I am sure most of you have that sensor.  I checked with Security to make sure I had one.  They didn’t have my name on file, so I sent in a work order and had one installed.  If there is no motion detected for 10 to 12 daylight hours, Security will call and if there is no answer, they will come and check on me.

And, of course, there is the Emergency Pendant.  We were all given one when we arrived on campus.  I just stuck mine in a drawer, but now I have it next to my bedside just in case.  And for those that want a bit more security, you can buy a wristband pendant that is waterproof even in the shower.

And another thing to consider if you need a reminder is that you can ask ALEXA (If you have one) to remind you to take your drugs at a particular time.

But wait, There’s more.

Home Care is now offering a check-up telephone call to see if you are OK or to remind you to take your medications.  It costs $11.50 per telephone visit.  If you do not answer, they will also call security.  I could see this as very useful if I didn’t have a smart phone or if I were worried because I knew I was sick and wanted extra support during that time.  It’s also very useful if you are leaving someone at home that typically needs your help.  This way, they could have some support in taking medications even if it does come as a telephone call.  So it could be used on a daily basis, even several times a day, or just at special times when one is feeling more vulnerable and wants more security.

Living Room of a Wellness Suite

In addition, Home Care is also offering another option that really takes care of the person who is planning an operation or is recovering from an injury and does not feel safe at home but may not qualify for a bed in the Health Center.  According to Leslie Labrocca, head of Home Care, they have two rooms in residential living that they call Health and Wellness Suites.  They currently have two rooms. One room is currently available and one still being outfitted with furniture.  Both rooms are located in RL, 164 and 191. The rooms are designed to accommodate those with a variety of mobility and health issues.  The idea behind these rooms is to offer home care services more conveniently and cost-effectively.  They want to give our residents a more personalized care experience, helping them feel safe and reduce stress while they recover. A resident lives in the suite which is provided without fee.  Any help is billed at $23 per half hour.  So if you had hoped to stay there for a week, you would probably need three or four hours worth of help for the first two or three days and then this amount would diminish as your need for outside support gets less.  What is wonderful is that there is help available 24/7.  At night, just a call to security would get someone to you in the Wellness suites right away.  This is a perfect option for those who either don’t qualify for the health center or don’t really need skilled-nursing support but don’t feel safe being alone at home.