Tip #48 Frugal Fixes; You rang?

     You weren't planning on you (or one of your loved ones) having a stroke, breaking a leg, being hit by a car, or whatever the reason you are now recovering at home. You're home, and that's grand, but you feel like a burden and the person taking care of you keeps coming into your room (or the living room, wherever it is you are taking up residence) to make sure you're okay, and you feel really bad that they have to do that. Or, you're the caregiver and you need to continue with the functioning of your home while you are caring for someone who can't move around your home so easily, and you can't be with them every moment of every day just to make sure they have what they need to stay safe at the very least. Or you are a spouse who desperately needs a full night's sleep upstairs in the good bed (rather than downstairs where your loved one is as they can't get upstairs safely) but you won't because you're afraid you won't hear him/her when they call out for you, or that you'll sleep through it.
     Unless you happen to have the luxury of living in a home with an intercom system that is easy for both of you to operate, you're going to need to figure something out so that everyone can maintain their sanity. Doorbells are the perfect solution. Yep, doorbells. If you have a wireless doorbell system already, for under $10 you can get another push button (what you see when you're standing at a door and want to ring the bell) to work with it. Just make sure that the brand is compatible with the brand that you already have.  If you have a wired in doorbell system (common in older homes), then for about $30 you can buy a whole wireless doorbell system, which includes one or two push buttons, and the section that actually makes the sounds. The idea is that the caregiver can carry the chimer with them (wow, "chimer," that surely must be the technical term? LOL).
     I can't take credit for thinking of the doorbell system, but a family member (thanks!) did figure it out, and it works like a charm. It gives both parties peace of mind as the "pusher" doesn't feel like so much trouble (to have to be checked in on constantly), and the "pushee" is confident that a) that they will hear the chime when assistance is needed, and b) that if they don't hear the chime, the patient is still safe! It's a win - win. Note, you will need to buy batteries for it.
Happy ringing!