This was a very interesting story in Joe Blaes Editor’s column in the magazine Dental Economics.  I had never thought about this, but it makes a great deal of sense.  Maybe this can help some people who find themselves in a very difficult situation. Here is the story:
“My elderly uncle Chet (age 90) slipped on the ice on his driveway while he was getting out of his car. He broke his hip and was unable to move during the cold winter night. He was laying on the cold ground without so much as a jacket on as the temperature fell and the night became extremely cold. He lay there shivering to the bone hour after hour all night long. He yelled to try and rouse his neighbors, but it didn’t work. Early the next morning, he was very lucky … it was garbage pick-up day. The garbage collectors were making their rounds and found him and called 911. He was operated on for his broken hip and almost died of pneumonia. He was put on life support, and nurses told me that he probably wouldn’tmake it in his condition and not to get my hopes up. He did make it, and lived to see his 93rd birthday. He had his electronic car key with him all night long and could have activated his alarm and alerted the neighbors to his problem. But he did not think of this.”
Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away or leave them in your coat pocket, think of this: Your electronic key is a security alarm system that you probably already have, and it requires no installation. Test it! Your car alarm can be set off from almost everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your car battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob.
I have read emails where it was suggested we put our car keys beside our bed at night. If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The elderly person in an otherwise compromised position can also get much needed assistance.  I hope this idea can help!!