BOOMbox Network Product Review:  Careline Home Safety Telephone System from VTech

As our parents grow older 8 out of 10 say they want to live out their golden years in their home (and not in a home) – something the aging network calls aging in place.  And while most of the 44 million Americans who are caring for a loved one over age 50 are partners in this grand plan, we typically run into two challenges that can impact the health of our older loved ones living at home (and often alone):  falls and isolation.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) more than 2 million seniors are treated in Emergency Rooms from falls each year and every 29 minutes an older American dies from a fall at home.  In addition, 40 percent of people over age 65 live alone, and often the sense of isolation, particularly after the death of a spouse, can lead to depression. More than 6 million seniors suffer from depression and older white males have the highest suicide incidence among any age group according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

Technology is part of the master plan for caregivers wanting to help their parent stay independent but safe and connected.  When it comes to caregiving technology, I have what I call my 3 Ps Test:  Protection of your loved one, Prevention from health risks (including falls and isolation) and Peace of Mind for the you (the caregiver).

One technology solution comes from VTech and is called the Careline^TM Home Safety Telephone System.  I was recently asked to review this new phone system by BOOMbox Network who taps into the community of bloggers on aging and caregiving*.  Here is what I really liked about the product that I think helps solves several caregiving dilemmas:

• Value Package – In the same way McDonald’s has its value meal (you get fries and a drink with your burger) or Estee Lauder gives you a free gift with your purchase of make-up or perfume, VTech has created the same concept with its Careline package. Your parent gets a traditional home phone base with corded handset along with an additional cordless phone and cradle that she can have in her bedroom PLUS she gets a mobile pendant that has a one-button emergency response where you program in your number (as the caregiver) or other emergency numbers (more on this nifty gadget below).  The whole package retails for $119.95 – or what you would expect to buy a home phone system (but you get the mobile pendant as your bonus gift).
• Universal Design (think senior friendly) – The large lighted buttons and high-contrast information displays on both the base unit and the handheld phone are something I wish all phones had but this is especially important for your older loved one whose eyesight often cannot read the smaller numbers on other phones or poorly lit displays.   You can also activate voice caller ID so if your parent is in another room, she can hear it’s you calling rather than struggling to get to the phone quickly to see who it is (audio caller ID can also be activated on the mobile pendant).
• Onstar – Out of the Car and In Your Hand – In the same way Onstar systems made us all feel safer in our vehicles in case of emergencies, VTech has provided the brilliant mobile safety pendant as part of the package (which can be worn several ways).  You can program up to two emergency numbers into the pendant and at the push of a button, your parent gets connected to safety.  If your parent has fallen and may not be able to push the button, she can activate the emergency call with her voice.  Best part?  No monthly service fee as with most mobile personal emergency response systems (MPERS).

When AARP surveyed those age 65+ they found older Americans are interested in technology that keeps them safe – things such as preventing falls, turning off the stove if they forget, regulating the thermostat automatically, etc. Forty-six percent of these older Americans also reported they would be willing to give up a little privacy to have a monitoring device that alerted their family or others when they needed help.

For this review, the Careline system gets a thumbs up on my 3 Ps test offering protection and prevention for your parent and peace of mind for you as the caregiver.

Watch this Today Show clip on Careline and other caregiving tech products.

For more information, check out this nifty infographic from our friends at VTech:

*While I was paid for my participation in this BOOMbox Network campaign, I do not agree to review products until I have done my research to ensure I feel the product and company are credible and have something valuable to offer caregivers. All opinions in this blog are my own.