The process of recovering from a stroke or TIA is often long and challenging. Thankfully, with the right equipment and support in place, many people can continue living safely and independently in their own homes after a stroke. Installing a personal alarm can provide crucial reassurance to stroke survivors. These alarms can also offer peace of mind to family and friends, helping everyone to carry on with life after a stroke.
Having had two TIAs, I'm very aware that I am at risk of having a stroke in the future. My Lifeline alarm gives me the confidence to keep doing the things I love, knowing that help will be on the way if I need it.'
Tony, stroke survivor
Tony has been using a personal alarm since he had his first TIA back in 2016. After his TIA, he made a quick recovery and was able to resume his active lifestyle at home. Having had one mini-stroke, Tony knew that he was at risk of having another in the future. He decided to install a Lifeline alarm system so he could feel safe in his home and garden. Tony lives by himself, so it was important that he had a way to call for help if he ever needed it.
The standard Lifeline alarm consists of a small pendant, which can be worn around the wrist or neck, and a base unit which plugs into the telephone socket. In an emergency, he would simply need to press the button on the pendant to raise the alarm. The 24-Hour Response Team would send help directly to Tony's home by calling his emergency contacts, as well as the emergency services if necessary. With the alarm system in place, Tony was able to carry on with his usual routine, safe in the knowledge that help was always on hand if he needed it.
In 2019 Tony had a second TIA. Once again, he was lucky enough to make a quick recovery and return home. However, this time he was concerned that the TIAs might start to happen more frequently. Tony, a keen walker and cyclist, wanted to be sure that he was protected while out and about as well as at home. With this in mind, he decided to upgrade to a GPS-enabled alarm: the Lifeline GO.
The GO GPS alarm does not rely on a landline connection. Instead, it uses the mobile phone network to contact the Lifeline Response Team. The built-in GPS allows the Response Team to send help to the user's precise location. This technology can help people like Tony across the UK to maintain their independence after a stroke or TIA.
Now, with his GPS alarm, Tony can continue cycling, walking the Norfolk Coastal Path, and tending to his allotment with total peace of mind. If he has a fall or suffers another TIA, help will be on the way with just the touch of a button. The GPS alarm provides reassurance for his loved ones too '“ they know that they will be notified if Tony presses the alarm. For extra reassurance, he opted for an alarm with a built-in Fall Detector. The alarm is programmed to his height and can detect a sudden drop in altitude. This will raise the alarm automatically in the event of a fall, without the need to press the pendant button.
Tony said: '˜Having had two TIAs, I'm very aware that I am at risk of having a stroke in the future. My Lifeline alarm gives me the confidence to keep doing the things I love, knowing that help will be on the way if I need it.'
To find out more about the Careline365 personal alarms, including where to get one visit Stroke Association website.
Careline365 is the new name for Lifeline24.