France in Focus

I have fallen this morning trying to put a tarp over a load of top soil it was round the back as I walked its full of weeds and brambles (Not mine) just an over grown area, I stood on an unseen rock and fell over into the brambles, I tried to get up but could not I had trapped my right leg under my left and I was sat at the bottom of some stones with my legs upwards, wherever I moved I was getting more entangled in the brambles, the DW is disabled so I shouted to her to get help, she didn't know what to do, she cannot use the phone to dial, so after about 20 mins I managed with a branch and a piece of plastic that I managed to scrape towards me, I used to protect my arm as I turned over onto my knees I then crawled to the pile of soil and managed to get up. So what help is there here for us old F***s if your other half is disabled or you don't have one, we see a few pager type devices advertised on the UK TV, but are they in France? Nothing damaged just lots of scratches now covered in Savlon waiting for a cold beer.

I'm sorry to read that Spectrum - I hope all the jags are out.

My elderly neighbour lives on her own since her husband died about 6 years ago. She has many carers/helpers call each day but she suffers from Parkinson's and is rather unsteady. She wears a red button on a lanyard which, if she pushes it, someone calls her son to attend.

I'm afraid I don't know where she got it, nor who the "someone" is. You can Google "assistance call button in France" but I think they are called Téléassistance pour Personnes Âgées in french.

Ouch Spectrum. I did something similar when got myself stuck between the trailer wheel and a mass of brambles. It certainly isn't easy to extricate yourself with thorns stuck in your clothing and your skin. I hope you feel better from all the scratches soon and that you find a helpful solution to your communication problem.

That does sound bad Spectrum. I too hope your scratches and bruises heal soon.

A quick search shows a few options.

https://www.pour-les-personnes-agees.go ... assistance

https://www.quechoisir.org/decryptage-t ... ts-n99584/

https://www.guide-senior.net/teleassistance-senior/

We both use old Nokia 3330 phones, which are pretty bulletproof. They are about their last model of non-smart phone.
We have two originally provided FOC by our Spanish phone company in the 1990's, and a couple bought on Ebay UK. They are also available on Amazon FR and UK, as are their batteries.
I habitually carry mine in a trouser pocket when I go away from the house, and usually remind my wife to do the same, as she tends not to use or think of hers very often.
Neighbours, Mairie, and local emergency numbers are stored on both phones, so it is quick and easy to contact someone if necessary.
If your mobile phone is too delicate, there are cheap, robust models similar to mine available, both new and used.
That, together with a €2 per year Free contract, is a lot cheaper then a tailor made beeper.

If you go for one of the assistance services the cost (50%) is tax deductible. My neighbour has one and it works well.
Ask at your mairie for info. They will know.
When we are out on the property I carry my phone.

Headers wrote: ↑Thu Jun 19, 2025 6:19 pm If you go for one of the assistance services the cost (50%) is tax deductible. My neighbour has one and it works well. ............

But if you don't pay any tax, there is nothing to deduct the cost from

We're both 87 this year, and fall with depressing frequency

Nomoss wrote: ↑Thu Jun 19, 2025 7:58 pm But if you don't pay any tax, there is nothing to deduct the cost from

The amount due to you is credited to your Bank account.

Thanks for your replies will spend today sat inside at the laptop doing research our daughter who knows about these things at least in the UK, mentioned "France Smartbox" again will look into it. Falling is not good but if you start falling and there is not a physical reason for it you need to see someone, mine was an accident, having been in the medical profession I knew there was no broken bones, the brambles cushioned my fall , stay safe out there.

I've had téléassistance since I came out of hospital after breaking my leg - it wasn't the first fall I'd had. I knocked the alarm "watch" one night when on my way upstairs and nearly brought all the pompiers/ Samu to my door before reassuring the control room that I was fine. I blamed the cat of course.
I'd resisted the idea of wearing an alarm, but since OH is now stone deaf, I'm glad I have it. When I signed up, I also bought their keysafe, so that said professionals can get in.