PINNED IN BED: ANOTHER REASON TO HAVE LIFE ALERT

Yes, we realize this does not happen as often as other emergencies, but it can and does happen. We are referring to the case of a woman named Blanche Roberts pinned by her husband Fred's body while in bed, recently reported by the Associated Press. While this may happen to many spouses across the country as people shift in their sleep, in this case Fred was dead. Since Mr. Roberts was "a good-sized man" and "[h]er right leg was pinned" under him, Blanche was stuck for several days, unable to move.

Fortunately, her astute newspaper carrier Bruce Pitts decided something was wrong after he noticed "papers piled up outside" the home of Mrs. Roberts. He figured out a way into Blanche's room to investigate, after there was no answer to his doorbell rings. Pitts found the 84-year-old woman who, miraculously, "was conscious, talking... peaceful... not scared, " said Pitts. She only asked for water. Blanche was taken to a nearby hospital, and reportedly was "doing fine."

Thank God Mr. Pitts listened to his intuition that something wasn't right. If not for his attentive and caring nature, Blanche very likely would have died. But there is another lesson to learn from this story. If Blanche Roberts had been a Life Alert subscriber, the days alone under her husband and a possible fatal outcome could have been avoided. Mrs. Roberts could have been rescued, since she could have pushed her Life Alert help button (on the pendant that is worn around the neck or wrist). Then, whether she was able to talk to our dispatchers or not, help would have been sent to her immediately.

Dangerous situations come in many varieties - some mundane, some unusual. Life Alert can handle the vast majority of them, and in the process saves a life every 38 minutes, on average. Seniors (especially the elderly) should take advantage of this vital, lifesaving system.

To read the full AP story, please click this Detnews.com link: http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080430/NATION/804300445/1361

LIFE ALERT'S MONITORED SMOKE ALARM SAVES SUBSCRIBER DURING HOME FIRE

Nancy M. told us about a scary indicent that recently happened to her mother Marie. According to Nancy, her mom's house experienced a fire, and her mother fainted; without the Life Alert smoke detector we installed in her mom's home, Nancy is sure the house would have burned - and she doesn't think her mother would have made it out alive. Like many members have done before her, Nancy expressed her sincere gratitude to Life Alert for saving her mother's life.

Life Alert's Monitored Smoke Alarms are available to all subscribers. Once installed, Life Alert professionals monitor each alarm 24/7, for round the clock protection against fire and smoke. If the alarm detects smoke, we immediately try to contact you and, if you cannot respond, we automatically send help fast.

LIFE ALERT USES "NETWORK OF HELP" TO ASSIST FALLEN 85 YEAR OLD

Another testimonial, showing how Life Alert does not just send paramedics, but also can inform and summon family members and/or friends to assist as well:

I am 85 years old, and when I fell recently, I needed help to get up. After pressing my Life Alert button, your dispatcher offered to send emergency medical help. Since I was not seriously injured, I didn’t need an ambulance, so you called my son. He got here fast, and was able to unlock my door and help me up. My son and I thank you very much for all your assistance.

Mildred E., Las Vegas NV

LIFE ALERT: BETTER THAN A MAN?

Many women, especially those who live alone, depend on Life Alert for protection. Some have written in to tell us they consider Life Alert their personal guardian. Indeed, there is a growing body of evidence that the medical alarm service may be better in many ways than a man.

Here, then, is a list of reasons why Life Alert personal protection is better than a man:

We never sleep.
We don’t snore.
We actually listen whenever you speak.
We don’t mind if you push our buttons.
You don’t have to feed Life Alert.
Our system is always up and running.
We don’t leave the toilet seat up.
We don’t hog the blankets.
We are dependable.
You can always trust Life Alert.

Do you have an opinion? Another reason to add to the above list, as evidence for why Life Alert is better than a man? Or perhaps a counter opinion? If so, we welcome your comments.

USA TODAY HIGHLIGHTS DANGERS OF HOME FALLS, ONE OF MANY HOME EMERGENCIES ADDRESSED BY LIFE ALERT

Life Alert enables subscribers to get immediate help after a fall, even if they can’t reach a phone – giving seniors peace of mind and a feeling of security

USA TODAY recently ran a feature story that raised awareness about the dangers of falls suffered in the home. The article noted that a number of famous people have recently suffered falls, often requiring a trip to the hospital. One of the scary aspects of falls is that they can happen to anyone, regardless of societal status, income level, gender or age. However, it is well known that the older we get, the more susceptible we become to falls. One of the main risks is falling at home and then not being able to reach a phone to call for help. Most people don’t carry cellphones on them while at home; even if they do, it may be damaged during a fall, it may not have a signal, or it may be impossible to access depending on how one falls and the severity of injuries suffered. In short, people need a better solution to address the dangers of falls.

Life Alert is that solution. Life Alert Emergency Response, the personal medical alarm company, has been protecting seniors from the dangers of home falls for over two decades. The company’s spokesman, former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, M.D., has pointed out that falling is the “leading cause of injury death for Americans 65 and older” – a sobering statistic. Making matters worse is that the risks increase as we advance in age, since our ability to call for help after a fall (and one’s odds of surviving any injuries suffered) becomes limited.

This need for protection -- no matter where you fall in your home, no matter what hour a fall occurs -- is at the heart of Life Alert’s protection service. Life Alert handles over a million calls a year, and on average saves a life every 40 minutes, saving over 13,000 lives in 2007 alone. For many seniors, Life Alert is an invaluable asset they simply cannot live without.

LIFE ALERT TESTIMONIALS: PHONE PROBLEMS? NO PROBLEM

My home phone line was not working, and I couldn’t get through to my phone company by cell phone, so I called you. Your people were extremely helpful. First, you called the phone company for me, to have them come fix my phone line. Then, when they said they’d be out “maybe today or tomorrow," your dispatcher made sure they came out that same day, since I’d been having chest pains and needed the phone working right away. You really went out of your way to help me. I am very happy and thankful for Life Alert. --Dorothy M., Lansing MI

I was worried about my wife (who is a Life Alert subscriber), since her phone had been busy for hours, so I called in to tell you. You sent the police right over to her. Turned out she had a laceration on her hand, which happened when one of the dogs bit her. Then paramedics were dispatched, who treated my wife’s cut. I just wanted to thank you again for helping us. --Anthony C., Easton PA

LIFE ALERT TESTIMONIAL: HARRIET HAPPIER WITH LIFE ALERT "SECURITY BLANKET"

I am a very happy subscriber – Life Alert is my security blanket and I have recommended it to family and friends who have also subscribed. It’s a great feeling of security. If you’re alone in your home and you collapse and can’t get to a phone, it’s a wonderful thing to have. One time I was making a hamburger and off goes the smoke alarm, and it starts talking to me – I thought, that’s funny, the fire alarm doesn’t usually do that. I had forgotten that you had also installed monitored smoke alarms in my apartment. Your people asked if they should send the fire department, but I explained I had made a burger with a lot of heat, that I was fine. They kept asking to make sure I was all right -- your dispatchers are extremely considerate and very concerned about my safety. Your smoke alarm came on even before my apartment building’s alarm came on. It was a marvelous feeling that Life Alert responded so quickly.

Harriet A., New York NY