My FIL has one, though I don't know the brand - it is not Life Alert. But what I wanted to say was be sure that you look into one that works OUTSIDE the house. Knowing that your mom goes to the garage means she may again fall outside somewhere, and many of the systems only work in the home.

My FIL fell at the end of his driveway closest to the street, couldn't get up, and was there for about 45 minutes before the neighbor heard him and helped him. That was before he had the system (and had fallen several times) but the system they got for him was a 'cheap' version, and still wouldn't help if he fell again outside.

We set my MIL up on Life Alert. I have doubts about whether she wears the tag regularly, but I can say that it appears to work. We got a call from the Life Alert dispatcher one day saying that they'd received a signal but no one was answering her phone when they called. They had called the emergency dispatch in her town and were giving us notification of that. Meanwhile I tried a couple of times to reach her and finally did. Evidently she had accidentally hit the button and then fallen asleep! I called the L.A. dispatcher back and he notified the emergency responders that all was well. They went ahead with a welfare check, replied to L.A., who then called me back with a follow up. I believe her system monitors into the garage, but not much further. My biggest complaint with L.A. is that once we requested information they hounded us night and day to make the sale.

I have been reading about these systems. There is one that works using the cell phone system.

My friend just set up her elderly mother with a system. After MUCH research, they went with Life Station.

I think they found the coverage better and they didn't have to sign a long term contract.

ML

I just bought my mom a Jitterbug phone and added the 5 Star Urgent Response add on. She wouldn't use any other cell phone I tried, but she'll use this one. I added a lanyard, and she wears it around her neck. Success!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: 5 Star Urgent Response

We got my dad the Life Alert system. The little remote that you carry was easier than carrying around a cordless phone. (He wouldn't have anything to do with a cell phone.)

The system worked fine. Getting Dad to use it when he fell sick . . . that was another issue. He was too sick to get out of bed, but didn't use the Life Alert, because he knew I was coming the next day to visit.

After some very plain talk from me (about not wanting to come home to a dead father) he did use it when he fell and broke his hip.

Mom (MIL) had the life alert system and used it several times when she fell and couldn't get up. Her Jitterbug was helpful for tracking her down when she was out and about but useless at home, where most falls take place. She hated the fact that all of her kids were called each time she pushed the button. The downside of her system was that it required a landline. If she fell anywhere but home, the button was useless.

Mom had a waterproof necklace she wore 24/7. Much better than having to carry a cell phone around (jitterbug) and remembering to charge it each
night. She hated the daily text messages and refused to charge it after a week. She has memory issues though so the Jitterbug might work better for others.

My dad has the Life Alert system.

This thread has some great useful info! I've been talking with my sisters and brothers about getting some sort of system for our parents.
Panko: good to know that about the L.A. salespeople. I figured that might be the case with most of them. It's such a pain to keep getting follow-up calls over and over.

Question to anyone: My parents have a Winter home in Florida and a Summer home in Michigan. Any idea if a system can be used in both places or would they have to pay separately for service in each area?

I recently got my mother who turned 90 in April, Philips Lifeline System. My mother lives in Ohio and winters with us in NC and I bring the units with her when she comes.

Their system has a sensor that detects a fall and calls for help. She wears the pendant around her neck 24/7 - My mother feels secure with it, as do I her having it. Not only does if make her feel secure for health issues, but fire or home invasions too! Help is a button away.

I have 911 in my cell as the first listed number. For someone needing life alert or something similar, couldn't Mom's cell be placed in a little purse or pocket and worn around her neck, maybe velcroed to stay in place? All she would have to do is press the first listing on her cell. Wouldn't that avoid one phone call and have 911 on the way immediately? Unconsciousness wouldn't work in either case.