On Remembrance Day in 2022, Gwen Potter woke up in her London seniors’ apartment sensing that something was amiss. Struggling with unstable legs, she collapsed upon trying to move towards the kitchen, eventually blacking out. Potter later learned she had suffered a stroke.
After lying on the floor briefly, Potter managed to crawl to her bedroom, where she activated the emergency call bell tethered to the wall before retreating to her bed. An alert staff member from Chelsey Park complex, which houses Potter’s apartment along with a retirement residence and long-term care facility, promptly summoned medical assistance. Potter’s daughter, Alison, credits the quick response facilitated by the call bell system for saving her mother’s life.
At 90 years old, Potter resides in the independent living section of Chelsey Park, where she attends to her own needs like cooking and cleaning. However, in July 2025, Alison received notification from the executive director of Chelsey Park regarding the discontinuation of the call bell system in the residence.
Despite the spokesperson’s explanation citing technical issues as the reason for discontinuing the call bell system in the independent living building, Potter’s family selected the apartment specifically for this safety feature, as advertised on the residence’s website. Subsequent communications informed residents that the call bell would be replaced with private alert systems, which were subscription-based and costly.
Facing budget constraints, Potter expressed concerns about the affordability and practicality of these alternative systems, especially in emergencies like her stroke where physical limitations could impede using a phone. Residents like Potter are hesitant to invest in personal emergency systems due to financial constraints.
Potter, who values the community and activities at Chelsey Park, has devised a check-in system with a friend for daily well-being monitoring. Meanwhile, Alison advocates for additional support from Chelsey Park, such as reinstating a new call bell system or subsidizing personal alarm expenses to alleviate financial burdens on residents.
Alison emphasizes the economic strain on seniors at Chelsey Park and stresses the importance of providing adequate care and support to those who have contributed significantly to society.
