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Christine44 Asked 15 hours ago
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In the latest issue of AARP's magazine, they had a short article titled "YOU'VE FALLEN and REALLY, TRULY CAN'T GET UP." There was a photo of a person who had obviously just fallen face first at the bottom of a stair case, landing with hands in the air. The item starts out quoting some grim statistics: "One in 4 older adults take a tumble each year." Then, it says you have to "get to the phone any way you can" to call 911, quoting an MD in Emergency Medicine. A small box within the article says "Be prepared!" and has a pic of of a man who has fallen but has his phone attached to him, wearing what the article calls a "shoulder holster for cell phones so you can quickly access yours in case of an emergency."
This got me thinking: What a great idea! A kind of "holster" so that a senior would always have a smart phone handy in case of a fall. I don't have a whole lot of confidence, based on direct experience, with the emergency buttons worn around your neck, but that's another story. I'm not talking about something to wear outside as I've got that covered, acting more or less like a kangaroo with a pocket-type pouch around my neck or my waist.
I'm in my apartment a lot, moving or just puttering around, and that's where a lot of falls take place. Something I could wear but which wouldn't be so intrusive as to hinder cooking, baking, eating, cleaning, etc. is what I'm looking for.
Anyway, I started researching this a bit as AARP, although stating that "several companies make shoulder holsters for cell phones," didn't list them in the article.
I quickly went to Amazon (of course) but a quick look at their offerings didn't show exactly what I'm thinking of. Holster is really the best word for what I'm looking for the pic shows this as something worn around the neck but kind of tucked under the arm pit.
I called REI and they found this on their web site which they thought might work:
https://www.rei.com/product/179290/nite-ize-runoff-waterproof-phone-case
Nite Ize RunOff Waterproof Phone Case
I'm going to check it out at their store asap.
An REI customer service rep also suggested Best Buy as they have a lot of phone accessories.
Any other ideas? Thanks!
Home Safety Mobility Product
9Answers
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Beatty 9 hours ago
Many people use a smart watch now as lighter & easier to wear. I don't... Imagine it would be hard to see & use such a tiny screen but it's an idea. They can detect falls too.
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golden23 9 hours ago
I bought R and I cell phone holders on a lanyard from Amazon. We don't have a landline any more. He loves his and wears it under his parka when he is out and knows his phone is safe and handy. I use it when I am expecting a delivery so I can respond to the buzzer quickly as the delivery guys often don't let the phone ring very long. The lanyard is elastic. However I found I am allergic to the elastic so I replaced that and gave the lanyard to the cat to play with. She loved it, and chewed it up. I found out later she also swallowed some pieces so that was the end of that! I hope they have all come out. đž
ff - good to see you posting
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freqflyer 9 hours ago
Oh, I just remembered couple decades back one of my co-workers wore a pouch around her neck, chest length, for her cellphone [flip phone back then]. A couple years later she developed lung cancer and passed rather quickly. She never smoked.
Coincidence or not, who knows, even if studies say the chances are rare. But it always a thought, thus I don't put the phone in my pocket.
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97yroldmom 9 hours ago
Hey there FreqFlyer
So good to see you posting. I think of you often. I hope you are doing well. đ„°
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Anxietynacy 14 hours ago
A. Fanni pack for my mom works too.
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TopsailJanet 14 hours ago
I have wired a quarter inch wide strap with a plastic clasp to my cellphone case, about 4 inches long with the clasp in the middle. It is a jury-rig type arrangement, but it works. I use it as a handle and I can hang the phone from a belt-loop or attach it to my bicycle basket or hang it somewhere while I'm working. In the house, I have a number of Amazon echos, so I could ask, "Alexa, call 911," in an emergency.
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MJ1929 14 hours ago
Search "Smartphone holster" on Amazon. There are millions of them there.
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Madisoncuckoo7 14 hours ago
I pretty much live in cargo pants, though I know this isnât the solution for everybody. Those big pocketsâŠlove âem!
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Southernwaver 15 hours ago
We bought my MIL two google echos. If she falls she can say âhey google, call southernwaverâ and it will call me. I can talk to her through the device.
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Southernwaver 15 hours ago
Looks like now itâs either an Amazon echo or a Google nest. So Iâm guessing itâs the nest. She has had it for years, one in the kitchen and one in her bedroom.
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freqflyer 15 hours ago
I've tried to carry my cellphone around with me but it was a bit too heavy to be comfortable. I have landlines in every room, so if I fall I could slide over to the phone and easily dial 911 instead of going through all the steps to remember to even know how to bring up the dial feature on a cellphone.
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