My parents are in their 80s and still live in their home. My dad is pretty much homebound and uses a walker in the house. My mom is still active, but she is deaf in one ear (this is significant to the problem). When Mom sleeps, she sleeps on her "good ear," and it's impossible to wake her, unless you touch her. She just doesn't hear. Dad has had a couple of times when he's gotten out of bed in the night (they sleep in different rooms) and fallen, and he hasn't been able to get himself up. He also hasn't been able to get Mom to wake up, and has been on the floor for some time. Us kids are understandably worried about this, and I'm trying to find something that might help. I've looked into those personal "help" alarms, but I'm also thinking of something that might turn on a light by remote in Mom's room? Do any of you know of things that perhaps deaf parents might use to signal their children's crying? Or have any ideas that might help? We'd really like to keep Mom & Dad in their home as long as possible. TIA

By Pamt on Thursday, January 13, 2005 - 09:25 pm:

Janet, deaf people do indeed using a flashing light system to indicate that someone is at the door, the phone is ringing, or the baby is crying. There are also alarm clocks that vibrate the bed. They were much harder to locate than I though they would be, but this looks like a good resource. The baby monitor type device might be the best thing, IMO.

By Mrsheidi on Thursday, January 13, 2005 - 09:45 pm:

My father in law has a dog for the deaf. He will get all crazy and jump when the phone rings, etc. Dogs are good anyway to get us up in the morning, no? He is a vietnam vet so I'm not sure how it was paid for, and I don't know if they are too old for a dog. They are very well trained.
On a side note...I took a birthing class with a woman who was deaf...I thought I was nervous having my first child. I can't imagine what it would be like if you couldn't hear your child cry or giggle. So, she simply amazed me.

By Mrse on Thursday, January 13, 2005 - 09:51 pm:

we have life line here, and it is like a necklace and if the person is in trouble they hit the button on the necklace, the company has people signed up to call to check on the person example: a neihbour, being the closest person, and they notify the relatives. I would look into something like that. We also have home support people who go to the elderly people home , to cook , give pills , bath etc.. that is actually what my daughter is in college to do. The home support goes by the parents income. Hope this helps a bit.

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 06:13 am:

Janet, start by calling your county Office of Aging (every county has one) and the social work office at the nearest hospital, and see what resources they can offer. Depending on your county and the funding, they may be able to come out and do an assessment and make specific suggestions as to what devices and assistance would be appropriate, and may have some advice on how to fund such things. I would also get in touch with an organization that advocates for the deaf, or one of the schools for deaf persons, and ask them if there is a list of resources and places to get advice on what to do.

By Janet on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 09:56 am:

Thanks for all your input..dogs aren't an option, though! LOL But Pam, that site is just what I was trying to find. I'd been surfing and just not finding it. Thank you!! Ginny, good idea about the county office, too. My sister, brother and I are going to be brainstorming about options, and this will give us something to chew on.