Convincing Mom She Needs an Elderly Monitoring System

5 Tips for talking to your parents about using an
elderly monitoring system in their home. 
Elderly monitoring systems are a great tool, especially for adult children who want to keep tabs on parents who live alone. However, sometimes, convincing your elderly mother or father that they should get a monitoring system is a lot of work. 

The following is a look at some tips for talking to your parents about using an elderly monitoring system in their home, and presenting it to them in a way that won’t feel offensive or like you are trying to control their life.


Tip one: Start the discussion early. If you can, talk about elderly monitoring systems before they become a necessity. Often elderly individuals need time to think about an idea, and recognize the potential benefits of it. Don’t wait until a fall or accident to address elderly monitoring systems.

Tip two: Talk about what they want. It is natural for a parent to feel frustrated by the idea of having reminders and someone/something checking up on them. It won’t feel like a safety precaution, it will feel like a babysitter. That is why it is important to help them understand that it will help them achieve their goals of remaining in their home and remaining independent. An elderly monitoring system is a great option to keep them out of assisted living.

Tip three: Help them see the cost benefits. No matter how you want to frame it, elderly monitoring systems cost less than assisted living, live in help, and even in most cases, the gas and time it takes for a family member to check on them. And it gives everyone involved peace of mind.

Tip four: Value their input. If you want to convince your mom she needs an elderly monitoring system, you have to let her voice, concerns, and ideas be heard. Let her know you are worried for her safety, and ask her to help you come up with a solution. Present the benefits of a monitoring system, such as safety, cost effectiveness, and help removing the “burden” on you, but also acknowledge their concerns, such as invasion of privacy. See if you can find a way to meet in the middle.

Tip five:
List the benefits clearly. Help mom see the many ways that an elderly monitoring system benefits her. For example, more independence, less invasion from kids or nagging about medications because the system alerts them that meds are being taken, a safety precaution in the event of a fall, and more. Focus on the positive ways an elderly monitoring system will impact her, and don’t stop trying.

If you can’t seem to get her to agree, ask her to let you install it on a temporary trial basis. If after a set amount of time (3-6 months) she hates it, you can get rid of it. Look here to find a great option for elderly monitoring systems.


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