Technology gives ‘Constant Companion’ to older adults

In Ed McKim’s home, you’ll find Amazon Alexa and several Echo Dots throughout his house. It works just like a regular model but his home system is geared special for him.

“Constant Companion is the name of the service,” said Scott Holmes, CEO of Visiting Angels of Eastern Idaho. “This is kind of revolutionary in that it provides all of these services that are much needed 24/7 in the home.”

Constant Companion provides around the clock service to help older adults, like McKim, live safely.

“(It is a) secure methodology for a personal emergency system, as well as companionship,” Holmes said.

The tech does numerous things such as being able to call for help to Constant Companion emergency response operator if they were to take a fall.

The device also helps set up daily reminders, like taking certain medications.

Constant Companion also does daily care calls to check in with someone. It then sends a summary of each call in an email to family members.

Plus there is customized calling with the technology. People can add certain family members numbers in and just speak up whenever they want to call.

For family members that have someone in the care of Visiting Angels, it gives them a peace of mind.

“It’s a very comforting feeling to know that he is safe,” said Marilyn Culp, McKim’s daughter.

People like McKim enjoy how easy it is to use for calling instead of using dialing on a phone.

“He likes the ability to just say, ‘Call Marilyn’ instead of having to wait for me to call in,” Culp said. “Sometimes I don’t get the call in at the right time.”

The system also helps older adults to become more independent in their home.

“That’s the great thing really, continuing a life that I already have,” said McKim.

The Constant Companion is free for all clients of Visiting Angels of Eastern Idaho.