Like most Boomers I'm a member of the "Sandwich Generation". You're probably a member, too. We're the Baby Boomers with children on one side - our aging parents on the other side - and we're in the middle. Yep, that's me.
Making sure our parents have some kind of emergency protection in case they fall and can't get to a phone is something that concerns me. My mother recently took a tumble - and even though my Dad was home - he had a hard time hearing her cries for help, thanks to a severe hearing loss in both ears. She's OK now, but it still required a trip to the emergency room.
That's why I was excited to learn about MobileHelp. It's a new portable device that uses a combination of GPS technology and the AT&T network to help keep seniors safe. I asked Elias Janetis, Founder & Chairman of MobileHelp to fill us in on this exciting new gadget so we could check it out for ourselves. Here's what he had to say.
MobileHelp
As a Boomer and caregiver, I came up with idea for MobileHelp when my grandmother found herself in a situation where she needed help but was physically unable to get to a phone. At the time I lived in Pennsylvania and she lived in Pompano Beach, FL, so I needed a way to watch over her even though we were thousands of miles apart.
That led me to create a personal emergency response system for seniors called MobileHelp. It's a portable device which integrates cellular and GPS technology through the AT&T network to provide medical monitoring services and location tracking for emergency assistance. For us Sandwich Generation caregivers, that means we'll receive email notifications with updates and can track our parents/grandparents online anytime.
The system is easy to use and had three components:
Pendant: It weighs less than 1 ounce and it's waterproof, so it can even be taken into the shower or bath where falls tend to occur.
Mobile unit: The four-ounce device is great for independent, active Seniors and is designed to be used outside the home. It has a simple one-button operation and works nationwide with AT&T service.
Base Station: Easy installation - plugs into the device's phone and power cords. Large red illuminated emergency button with an amplified two-way voice co
mmunicator with live operator. If no response, a local emergency unit is automatically dispatched. Also comes with a 24-hour battery back up in the event of a power outage.
Since most seniors are on a set monthly income, the MobileHelp price-point is an affordable $34.95/month.
You can check out the different pricing plans and MobileHelp accessories at MobileHelp.
Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.
Tips:
If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.
If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.
Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.
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