“Would You Be My Valentine?”

On Thursday, February 4, 2021, our client, R. “Lou” K., was called to be reminded that it was time for her monthly test of her medical alert button.  She is a “95 year-young” lady who has been our subscriber for the past eight years.  Since we have talked to her every month, we consider her FAMILY!

When she picked up the phone, I asked her, “Would you be my Valentine?”  She hesitated and replied, “Well, I may have to think about that….”   THEN, she had the AUDACITY to laugh!!!  Oh Yes, She Did!!!!! 

When I told her that I felt like she threw me under the bus, she chuckled and responded, “Oh, Linda!  You know I LOVE YOU!”

Today, Les and I took a detour on the way home and took Lou a small bouquet of flowers to thank her for the ability to assist her with her medical alarm system needs. We asked her again to “Be our Valentine,” and snapped this picture to remember her reaction! Trust us, she was all smiles!  (Being a private person, she asked us not to post her picture on the internet, but we could crop photo of the flowers and her hands….)

Lou signed up for our service in January 2013.  Shortly after she began, she had to use her medical alarm.  As you will read, she locked herself out of her home and did not have her cordless phone with her to call for help.  Yet, she was able to get the help she needed.  

Following is her account of the event, as per her testimonial: 

They Came Even Though I Was Not Able to Respond…

I would like to tell you some things about having a medical alarm system. I had heard about them for years but never thought about getting one. My son and nephew changed my mind, they said, “You are getting one!” My nephew contacted Around the Clock Medical Alarms.

When I called them, they explained all that it could do for me, so I decided to take it. Just to let you know, I consider them wonderful friends now.

A few weeks ago, I went out the back door onto the patio, started back in, and the door was locked. Here I was out without a coat and it was a cool morning. I know all other doors and windows were locked. I pushed the button on my Medical Alert, but couldn’t hear them answer. I thought it doesn’t work…. I ran to my neighbor across the street, she came to the door and wanted to know what I was doing out there. I said, “I’m locked out of the house”. I went in to call my nephew, who has keys, and had just sat down when I saw a truck with 2 men pull up in front of my house. Out I ran home. The men wanted to know if I lived there. I said “yes, and I’m locked out!” They were from the Rescue Squad and had gotten a call from my Medical Alarm that something was wrong at my home, since I didn’t answer them back. In just a minute here came the ambulance, but it wasn’t needed. Thank goodness. They got my storm door unlocked and I was able to get back in my house. I wouldn’t do without my Around the Clock Medical Alarm. ~ Lou K., Missouri

Our mission is to assist our subscribers to remain independent in their homes — as safely as possible.  A medical alarm gives them the ability to get help at the push of a button.  If they are alone, have health issues, or are prone to falling, a medical alert system could be the solution to the problems you face.  We are humbled to assist seniors and their families.  Our purpose is to help them to have “peace of mind” and the confidence to experience a better quality of life — as long as possible! 

  • Lou has experienced a lot of life, since she has been our client.  She was diagnosed with cancer and completed chemotherapy.  Thankfully, she recently told me that she is still cancer free.
  • Sadly, last year, she lost a lifelong friend who used to watch all the Cardinal /sporting games on TV with her, they would go out to get groceries together, and to eat out every day.  This man was the widower of her best friend and they used to do “couple vacations” together throughout their married lives.  Both became widows and they decided to “stay friends” and were able to help each other to not be alone.
  • Covid-19 has affected her social life because she has not been able to attend church “in person.”  She has had to forego her weekly card games with her lady, neighbor  friends.  Additionally, the holidays were quite different, since her family was concerned about visiting her due to the pandemic.  Unfortunately, this seems to be the consensus for many of our subscribers.  If you, or your loved one, find these “new norms” in your pandemic life, remember that you are never alone with an Around the Clock Medical Alarms system.  
  • Lou still lives in the home that she shared with her husband.  She has had a couple rehab stints over the past few years, but she continues to be able to return to the home she loves.
  • Because she is such an avid Cardinal fan, she and Les talk about sports every time they can.  Her latest comment concerning Nolan Arenado was “He BETTER be worth all that money!”  As always, she is biting at the bit for baseball season to start….  But, today, she WILL BE watching the Super Bowl — cheering on the Chiefs!

If you, or an aging loved one, are looking for a #medicalert system, visit us online at www.AroundTheClockMedicalAlarms.com or give us a call at 573-334-7233.

 

Senior Care Spotlight: Care Management, Advocacy, and Support

Care Choice Care Management

“Our commitment is that everyone we serve experiences concierge-level care and attention.”

 

About Us:

Our team of experienced professionals can assist you in answering all of your questions and be your advocate as you navigate the healthcare, mental health, or legal maze for yourself or a loved one. Our team consists of Social Workers, Gerontologists, Nurses and professionals who each have 20+ years of experience. Care Choice Care Management provides care coordination through Care Management.

 

What is Care Management:

Care Choice helps families through challenging times, negotiates conflict, coordinates benefits, recommends services, advocates for those in the hospital and long-term care communities, and provides ongoing or short-term support for those we help. We will customize a plan that meets your needs. Care Choice provides a FREE information visit or call for anyone about our services and what makes us different and unique.

 

Here are some questions to ask yourself, and if you are struggling you may benefit from hiring a Care Manager:

● Are you overwhelmed with the responsibility of caring for your spouse or parents?
● Do you or someone you know need an advocate in navigating the health care, mental health, and/or legal system?
● Is your family in conflict and need an objective professional to facilitate communication amongst family members while providing 24-hour care for your loved one?
● Have you been assigned as Trustee, Legal Guardian, Conservator, and/or Durable Power of Attorney for someone, but have no idea how to meet their day-to-day needs — such as getting them to take their medications, attend medical appointments, take care of personal hygiene needs, pay bills, grocery shopping, housekeeping/laundry, and prepare meals?
● Are you worried you’re taking too much time off work and need someone to attend your loved one’s medical appointments to ask questions, advocate, provide transportation, drop off/pick up any prescriptions, schedule any tests/appointments with specialists, and/or provide a summary of the visit?
● Would you like to have an experienced professional provide a thorough assessment followed by a detailed written Care Plan of you and/or loved one and then have them be available on an ongoing or PRN basis to assist with any needs that arise while aging in place at home or in a community?

 

Why We Started Care Choice:

There is a void in society and in health care of quality customer service. Our goal is to provide that level of care and support that all deserve. Health care is often fast-paced and so often things are missed, fall through the cracks, or are just forgotten. We strive to not allow those things to happen to you or your loved one. Care Choice was founded on these principles by Maria and Steve Miskovic. Both have been social workers for over 25 years and worked in various capacities at hospitals, rehab facilities, non-profits, dementia care, and case management. We have grown our team over the last 9 years to be able to support anyone at any point in their life journey, whether 18 or 108! We recognize that growing older (or living with an illness) is not easy, but it does not have to be done alone. Our commitment is that everyone we serve experiences concierge-level care and attention.

 

Please find us online at www.carechoicestl.com, call at 636-288-1764, or email us at info@carechoicestl.com


  Guest Article contributed by

Steve Miskovic, MSW, LCSW, CMC

 

 

 

As you try to navigate the overwhelming choices of services available for yourself, or an aging loved one, a care manager can assist to determine and establish the service(s) you need. Their expertise and knowledge can make life a lot easier!

At the point that you are trying to manage care (and find service providers to help), please consider a medic alert system as well.


You are NEVER Alone and can get HELP any day, time, or reason — Around the Clock!

 

  If you or an aging loved-one are considering choosing Medical Alarms in St. Louis MO, please contact the friendly staff at Around The Clock Medical Alarms.
Call Us: 877.449.5566

 

Our Story…

An emergency can happen to anyone at any time!

If you’re loved one is unable to reach a phone, it could be hours or days before needed attention is received.

 

With a medical alert system, police, fire, and emergency personnel, as well as, their friends and family are just the push of a button away.

 

OUR MISSION is to provide a medical alarm service to the elderly and/or ill that will enable them to remain independent in their homes — as safely as possible. “Because Emergencies Never Make Appointments!”

To care for those who once cared for us is one of life’s highest honors! If you are a caregiver for a loved one who lives alone or is showing signs of decline, let us help you to help them to be safe with a #MedicAlert from AroundTheClockMedicalAlarms.com

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering choosing Medical Alarms in St. Louis MO, please contact the friendly staff at Around The Clock Medical Alarms.
Call Us: 877.449.5566

Medical Alarms in St. Louis MO: Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America

On Wednesday, December 16, 2020, Les and Linda were honored to volunteer for the National Wreaths Across America Day at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.

The event places veterans’ wreaths on the headstones of American Heroes. 

It was an honor and privilege to thank those who sacrificed and served for our freedom. 

Medical Alarms in St. Louis MO: Wreaths Across America Medical Alarms in St. Louis MO: Wreaths Across America

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Around the Clock Medical Alarms is honored to serve wartime veterans and/or their surviving spouses to stay safe in their homes by providing a PERS (Personal Emergency Response System) that can be paid for through the little-known VA Aid and Attendance Pension.  This system can provide an extension to home care, by bringing peace of mind that our aging heroes are never alone — and that they can get help any day, any time, any reason — even if they cannot speak!  

This Department of Veterans Affairs pension (VA Non-Service Connected Pension with Aid and Attendance Benefit) provides personal care services through home care to veterans and/or surviving spouses, so they can remain in their own home, which is where they want to be.  Subsequently, it can also be used to pay for assisted living, if, and/or when, they are no longer able to maintain their independence in their own homes.  

Call 877-449-5566 or visit online for questions regarding the Aid and Attendance Pension and/or “life alert” type system provided through Around the Clock Medical Alarms.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering choosing Medical Alarms in St. Louis MO, please contact the friendly staff at Around The Clock Medical Alarms.
Call Us: 877.449.5566

Senior Care Spotlight: Medicare Open Enrollment

Medical Alarms in St. Louis MO: Healthcare Solutions

Medical Alarms in St. Louis MO: Healthcare Solutions

This Medicare open enrollment is quite different, to say the least…. Years ago, I drove from the “big city of St. Louis” down I-55 to rural southeast Missouri to meet a prospective client on his farm – I thought we’d discuss business in his home. When I arrived, he looked at my high heels, tossed me a pair of boots, and said, “C’mon!” I asked where we were going and he said, “The cows don’t milk themselves.”

OMG! There were so many cows – really, only about eight. He showed me what to do and I proceeded to milk cows as we talked about everything under the sun until he said, “now ain’t ya going to talk to me about long term care insurance?” I had forgotten the reason I was there!

This customer, now a client for over 20 years, taught me so many life lessons that day and in the years to come!

I spoke to him yesterday, now 85-years-old, and he said he’s been thinking about moving into Assisted Living and wanted to ask me questions about how his long term care policy would pay.

This year’s phone review of his Medicare and LTC wasn’t the same as being with him on his farm, with the cows, wearing “my” boots, and sitting on a barn stool next to each other with a cow in between.

I was missing the connection of our pre-COVID lives when I happened to see the following article:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/15/world/cows-cattle-communication-scn/index.html that reminded me of my own experience so long ago. I agree with the cows, I would rather cow-MOO-nicate too!

In closing, I would recommend that everyone re-evaluate their personal situation during Open Enrollment.  Sometimes seniors feel that their only option is to move out of their homes into an Assisted Living Facility, like my farmer friend.  When you are considering making changes to your health benefits or living situation, due to physical changes or health concerns, consider the benefit of a Personal Emergency Response System.  Now is the perfect time to determine what is best for your current situational needs.  Like insurance, a medic alert is something that you put in place and hope you never have to use it.  Several years ago, we set up my parents as clients of Around the Clock Medical Alarms.  My mother has since passed away, but Dad is still a customer.  The protection from their service, makes us both feel better knowing he is never alone and IF he needs help, he can get help — “Around the Clock.”

Guest Article Contributed by:  Diane Finnestead, MAT, Ed. S.
Health Benefits Consultant, Healthcare Solutions Team; Health and Dental Insurance Broker
314-302-5743 www.dianeinsurancestl.com
Serving clients in Southeast Missouri for over 20 years. Her clients are ages 0-103. She’s a Broker of over 70 companies specializing in Medicare, Health insurance, long term care, and life insurance.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering choosing Medical Alarms in St. Louis MO, please contact the friendly staff at Around The Clock Medical Alarms.
Call Us: 877.449.5566image

 

The “New Norm” During The Covid Pandemic

Like many other businesses, we are adjusting to the “new norm” during the Covid pandemic.
In the effort to market our business to other senior care providers, we are participating in on-line zoom meetings — instead of in person. We belong to a number of networking organizations, that use this technology, such as the Chamber of Commerce, Medical Coalition groups, and various other marketing groups.

 

Medical Alert in St. Louis MO: Zoom Meetings For Safety

Medical Alert in St. Louis MO: Zoom Meetings For Safety

 

The photo shows our participation in the latest monthly St. Louis Care Alliance meeting that occurred on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.  

Rest assured that there are many senior care business resources that are revamping the way they do business — to continue to do business! By working together, we can make a real difference in the quality of life for the senior adults that we serve.

Linda Bass
President
Around the Clock Medical Alarms
1353 N. Mt Auburn Rd, Suite C
Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
573-334-SAFE (7233)

If you or an aging loved-one are considering choosing a Medical Alert in St. Louis MO, please contact the friendly staff at Around The Clock Medical Alarms.               
Call Us:  877.449.5566

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Why Do We Do What We Do?

On September 21, 2017, we were honored to enroll an assisted living facility (ALF) resident who became (and remains) our oldest current client.  “Miss B.” celebrated her 106th birthday in January 2020 – which means she was born in 1914, FOUR YEARS BEFORE the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic….

She has always been quite proud of her independence and was unbelievably astute!  You never would have guessed that she was a centurion, much less 6.5+ years beyond that milestone….

Throughout the past year, she has pushed her button on several occasions. (Five times for a welfare check, three times for a lift assist following a fall, and one time to be transported to the hospital, because her head was bleeding and required stitches following a fall.)  Anytime she needed help, she was able to push her button to get it! THIS is WHY we do WHAT we DO!

Unfortunately, a recently received call from the ALF social worker notified us that “Miss B.” was now on hospice.  Although she has had to endure so much throughout her lifetime — over the past 12 decades — the emotional turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be too much.  We’re so saddened to hear this news. Since she is like family, our hearts are breaking.  This is the absolute hardest part of our job….

If you or an aging loved-one are considering choosing a personal emergency response system in St Louis, MO, please contact the friendly staff at Around The Clock Medical Alarms.               
Call Us:  877.449.5566

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Fall Detection in St. Louis MO: Senior Safety

What Safety Habits Is Your Senior Building?

Most of the time people think about habits in terms of being “good” or “bad,” but there are also “safer” habits that are important to nurture. Some of these may be habits your elderly family member has been resisting in one way or another.

Making Sure She Has Clear Paths

Clearing pathways is huge for safety, but it may be something your elderly family member has been resisting for a while. Clutter may be a big part of the problem, but it’s not the only possible culprit. Help your elderly family member to rearrange furniture if necessary to ensure that she’s got the space she needs to maneuver safely.

Wearing Shoes All Day

When your elderly family member’s footing is stable, she’s less likely to stumble or worse, to fall. One of the ways that she can get the best possible footing is for her to wear shoes during the day that have non-slip soles that are sturdy. This might be something new for her, but if she feels more stable, she may be more willing to be more active, too.

Checking Her Lighting

What your senior can see, she can avoid more easily. That means that the lighting in her home is incredibly important. Do what you can to replace older styles of bulbs with brighter LED lighting. If she needs additional lighting, look at how you can help her to add that to her existing setup. Adding motion sensors is another way to help her to use lighting all the time and not forget to turn lights on.

Keeping Her Assistive Devices in Good Working Order

If your elderly family member is willing to use assistive devices, like canes or walkers, she needs to maintain them. Tips wear out and need replacement. Both canes and walkers are adjustable according to height or to how they’re being used, so that may need adjusting. Some assistive devices just plain wear out, like orthotic shoes. Double-check what you need to do to ensure those devices remain usable.

Resting When She Needs It

Rest matters, too. When your elderly family member is getting the rest that she needs, she’s going to be able to keep up more easily with everything that life throws her way. For some people that means resting overnight, but if your elderly family member needs to conserve her energy, that’s a bigger concern. Elderly care providers can help her to get done what needs to get done without burning too much of her own energy in the process.

Keeping your senior safe means using the habits that she already has in place to their best advantage.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering choosing Fall Detection in St. Louis, MO please contact the friendly staff at Around The Clock Medical Alarms.

Call Us:  877.449.5566

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