Alarms for Special Situations
Choose
the right alarm for your needs
By: Renee Mercer, MSN, CPNP
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The
unique thing about the Bedwetting Store is that we have numerous types
of alarms to meet the needs of anyone who would benefit from being
alerted that wetting is occurring. Often the key to being successful
while using a bedwetting alarm is to pick the right product. Your own
families’ needs may require a specific type of alarm. Here are some
frequently asked questions that our customers have about their special
situations and the types of bedwetting alarms that are recommended.
- I
need a daytime wetting alert.
- The
alarm that I choose must be used with disposable pants.
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My
child is very sensitive to plastic or textures next to her skin.
- I want to be alerted when my elderly mother needs
to be changed.
- My child has a fear of loud sounds so I'm
concerned about using an alarm that makes loud noises.
- My child is hearing impaired.
- My daughter has diabetes and I need something to
detect her sweating so I'll know if she's becoming hypoglycemic.
For other
special situations, please call 800-214-9605 for product
recommendations.
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| 1.
What type of alarm is best
for being alerted that wetting is occurring in the daytime? |
- Malem Ultimate–provides
discreet vibration and/or sound
- Malem Recordable-can record
voice, music or any sound to play when wet
- Invisible Clock-small pager
type vibratory reminder that is a worn on the clothing or in the pocket
- Vibratory wrist
watches-provide a discreet reminder to go to the bathroom at a
scheduled interval or time
All of the Malem alarms attach
to the dry underwear in the area that you would expect wetting to first
be noticed. The easy-clip sensor securely fastens to the briefs and
senses moisture, alerting the wearer that wetting is occurring. The
unit that sounds or vibrates has a clip or safety pin to secure it to
the waistband of the clothing or other comfortable spot. Some users
find that discreet vibration is all they need to be alerted, while
others find that the sound feature is beneficial. Since the Malem
Ultimate alarm alerts the user with either sound or vibration, or both
simultaneously, it offers more choices than other types of moisture
alarms.
The Recordable Malem alarm plays
a recorded message when moisture is detected. The message could be a
certain sound, music or even a simple command such as “You need to go
to the bathroom now”. You get to choose and record the message. This
alarm would be helpful for forgetful users or ones who need a voice
command to learn the new behavior.
The Invisible Clock is a small
pager style device that vibrates at a pre-determined time or interval.
Although this device does not sense the urine, it can provide the
wearer with a discreet reminder that toileting or any other timed
behavior should be occurring. Worn on the belt or in the pocket, it
decreases the number of accidents by reminding the user to empty the
bladder regularly.
A full line of vibratory
reminder watches can also be found at the Bedwetting Store. The
VibraLITE 3, Medose and Vibro-Watch are wristwatches that can be set to
provide a vibratory reminder at intervals or at specific times. The
user uses the toilet or performs the required tasks in response to the
vibratory reminder. View the watches….
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| 2.
The alarm that I choose
must be used with disposable pants. What are my options? |
- Any Malem alarm with a Flat
Standard Sensor
The Malem flat standard sensor
can be used with a disposable pant. This is a specially designed flat
sensor that slips into a slit cut in the disposable pant. It can be
substituted for an easy-clip sensor on any Malem alarm, whether it is
the Ultimate, the Recordable or auditory style. Standard sensors can be
ordered under Accessories on-line or be substituted for the easy-clip
sensor when ordering over the phone.
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3. My
child is very sensitive to plastic or textures next to her skin. What
would be the best alarm for her?
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- Rodger Wireless-only part
next to skin is cotton briefs
- Pad type alarm such as Malem
Bedside or Wet Call pad-lays flat on the bed, no parts worn on body,
detects any type of moisture
There are several alarms that
work well in this situation. The Rodger wireless alarm consists of
specially designed cotton briefs that sense the moisture, providing
comfort and no additional sensor cords. Since this alarm quickly senses
moisture and sounds an alert, it is also useful in preventing any skin
breakdown associated with urine contact.
A pad type alarm, in which the
urine sensor is a flat pad under the user, is another alternative for
sensitive individuals. The pad is covered with a draw sheet and is
positioned under the child or adult. When the pad senses moisture,
whether urine or other fluid, an alarm sounds. The Wet Call pad makes a
single loud tone and the Malem Bedside allows a sound to be recorded,
or any of eight pre-recorded sounds to be played.
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4.
I want to be alerted when
my elderly mother needs to be changed. What alarm can do that? |
- Malem alarm with a standard
sensor
- Pad-type alarm such as Malem
Bedside or Wet Call
- Malem Wireless alarm
- Sit-up Sensor
The Malem alarm with the
Standard Sensor would alert you that your mother was wet if she was
using disposable pants. The sensor can be positioned in a cut in the
lining of the pants.
A pad type alarm works well with
cloth underwear, especially if your mother spends most of her time in
bed. The sensor pad is placed under a draw sheet positioned under your
mother on the bed.
The Malem Wireless alarm detects
moisture from the underwear or bed and transmits a sound to the
caregiver, up to 75 feet away. Several transmitters can be used with
one receiver for a multiple bed unit.
An additional accessory that is
helpful if your mother is confused is the Malem Sit-up Sensor. This
unique device senses position changes, such as sitting up, and sounds
to alert you that your mother is trying to get out of bed. The Sit-up
sensor attaches to a Malem audible alarm and is found under alarm
accessories.
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| 5. My child has a fear of loud
sounds so I'm concerned about using an alarm that makes loud noises.
What do you recommend? |
- Malem Recordable Alarm
- Malem Bedside Alarm
- Rodger Wireless
- Malem Ultimate
The Malem Recordable Alarm is
wearable and attaches with the easy-clip sensor just like the other
Malem alarms. This alarm also has the capacity to record your message,
whether that is your voice, music, or any other acceptable sound. This
message would be played in response to the wetness.
The Malem Bedside alarm connects
to the bed mat that is placed on top of the sheet and also offers the
recordable feature. This alarm also has volume control and 8 various
pre-recorded sounds.
The Rodger Wireless alarm has a
volume control switch so that the sound level can be adjusted. The
sound unit (receiver) can also be positioned further from the user or
even in parent or caregiver’s room.
The Malem Ultimate wearable
alarm has both vibration and sound. Either can be selected, and
vibration only could be used if noises frighten your child. Be aware
that since the vibration would only be detected by the user, you may
not be alerted to provide assistance when the wetting occurs.
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| 6.
My child is hearing
impaired. What alarm should I use? |
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Since this alarm both sounds and
vibrates, your child could feel the vibration while you could hear the
sound and insure that they were getting up.
For parents who are hearing
impaired, using a specially designed baby monitor (like you did when
your child was an infant) in your child’s room will alert you when the
alarm is sounding so that you can provide assistance.
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| 7. My
daughter has diabetes and I need something to detect her sweating so
I'll know if she's becoming hypoglycemic. Do you have anything like
this? |
- Any Malem alarm-wearable or
pad type
The nice thing about bedwetting
alarms is they can detect any type of moisture. If your daughter
usually begins sweating on a certain part of her body, you can locate
the sensor there. Or if the sweating is more generalized, a pad type
alarm could be placed under her sheet to detect moisture. Parents have
used bedwetting alarms for detecting leaking feeding tubes, bleeding
from hemangiomas, and other unique situations.
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