Lifeline is a great idea; and if there is not a landline, at some point I read about an option to get a landline connected, but I would have to research that.  

You could also switch activate a clarity Fortissimo, or switch enable a Bluetooth earpiece like antoinette says, but work it out to redial the last number dialed.  But both of those options are more expensive than Lifeline, at least in the short term.  

Is getting her eyemax back in process?  If she can access that, hopefully she can skype call, email, text someone...  (I am hoping she has it unlocked)?

Ed Hitchcock OT/L
Technology Center
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
From: xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com [xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com] on behalf of xxxxxx@improveability.com [xxxxxx@improveability.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2014 6:18 PM
To: xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com
Subject: RE: Call system for Independence

Assuming she has a land line phone - I would suggest getting Lifeline with a switch activated remote.  You would have to get a switch as well - I am partial to the Ablenet pillow switch as it is really flexible.

Amy Roman has great info on her site - http://amyandpals.com/category/communication-tips-tools/

If you scroll down to the bottom, there is a link to lifeline's document showing the options for switch activation - you need to know this before you call, because most of the time the front line customer service person is not aware of these options.

If no land line, then the simplest option would be a voice activated bluetooth headset - but I would not stake my life on that!

Sincerely,
 
Antoinette Verdone, MSBME, ATP
Owner, Rehabilitation Engineer
ImproveAbility, LLC
Office: 512-522-1705
Cell: 512-497-6026
Fax: 888-501-1009
Address: 7301 Burnet Rd, Suite 102-265, Austin, TX 78757
 
DARS Provider# 1-274278960-0-000

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-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Call system for Independence
From: Tami U Brancamp <xxxxxx@medicine.nevada.edu>
Date: Wed, September 17, 2014 6:01 pm
To: "xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com" <xxxxxx@alsa.simplelists.com>

I am working with a pALS who is now on hospice, very minimal movement (right wrist left/right minimal, and head nods and shakes). 

Received a call that she would like to reduce the number of hours the hired caregivers are sitting at her bedside. She is not on a vent. Client feels she can be alone during parts of the day. She is also concerned as her financial resources are running out.

This lovely lady has been incredibly independent for the last 6 years I have known her. 

Can anyone offer suggestions on ways she can call for help in an emergency, if she were to be alone in the apartment.
She does have a DynaVox Vmax with EyeMax, but is not able to use it due to positioning limitations now.

Ideas???
Thanks,
Tami
-- 
Tami U. Brancamp, Ph.D., CCC
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Speech Pathology & Audiology
University of Nevada School of Medicine
University of Nevada, Reno
775-784-4887

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