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There are several things you can do to reduce your concerns. 1 Try to make sure she eats well, exercises regularly and wears enclosed, low heeled shoes. 2 The booklet Don’t fall for it. Falls can be prevented! has several suggestions for making the home safer and a checklist. 3 There are several commercial monitoring services that work through an attachment to the home telephone and an alarm button worn by the subscriber that provide an immediate response to an alarm call and will follow up to make sure things are OK if the system is not tested on a regular basis and they have not been advised that the subscriber will not be home. There is a charge for these services, but some DVA pensioners can access them free. 4 The Australian Red Cross operates a Telecross service in all states and territories to provide regular telephone contact with frail aged people living alone. Every morning, a trained Red Cross volunteer makes a short, friendly telephone call to a Telecross client to ensure that they are safe and well. If the call is not answered, a second call is made. If there is still no response, Red Cross initiates an emergency procedure and arranges assistance if necessary. Contact a Commonwealth Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222 for further information.
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