Dot Boyd and Vanessa Grenyion (right) pose with Addison, a virtual caregiver device. Grenyion owns HealthQuest in Orangevale and carries some of Boyd's electronic emergency products. Photo by Judy Andrews

FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - Dot Boyd is a passionate advocate for helping older adults maintain their dignity and independence as they age.

“For decades, people have laughed at the ‘I’ve fallen and can’t get up’ TV and magazine ads for personal emergency-alert devices,” shared Boyd, a senior safety specialist. “But if a fall happens to you or a loved one, it’s no laughing matter.”

Unfortunately, statistics indicate that adults over 65 are more susceptible to accidents, such as falls at home. Every 11 seconds, an older adult receives treatment in the emergency room due to a fall. The harsh reality is that every 19 minutes, a senior dies from a fall.

“One fall can and often does change it all," declared Boyd, who has dedicated the past seven years to educating the community about senior safety, fall prevention and the resources available to help older adults age safely in place.

Dot Boyd holds her award for Best of Fair Oaks 2024’s Best Senior Care/Services in the community. Photo by Anupama Shojaei

Having cared for her aging parents, Boyd has a wealth of knowledge about senior safety and understands the caregiving role. She was her mother's (Judy) primary in-home caregiver after Judy had a serious fall and needed medical support from what Boyd affectionately calls her “Team Judy.”

The experience inspired Boyd to transition into the senior care industry and become an independent consultant for Electronic Caregiver, a leading company providing innovative care tools and solutions.

Before becoming a senior safety specialist, Boyd worked in the natural foods industry and later ran a direct sales business for all-natural beverages. During that time, Boyd became involved with the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce, where she held several leadership roles and received special recognition from the chamber and the community for her contributions.

A friend told her about the position with Electronic Caregiver in Northern California. Boyd was excited to join an industry where she could make a difference by helping others create their own “Team Judy.”

In addition to representing Electronic Caregiver devices, Boyd provides a range of products designed to assist her clients experiencing memory impairment and access to her vast network of trusted resources. Electronic Caregiver's latest innovation is Addison, a virtual artificial intelligence (AI) based caregiver that offers personalized, around-the-clock support for seniors and peace of mind for families.

“These devices are easy to use, don’t require technical expertise and can save lives where minutes matter,” Boyd said. “Being the primary family caregiver is not an easy feat.”

Boyd wishes her mother had been wearing an emergency button when she fell with no one home to help her.

Here are some of the Electronic Caregiver devices Dot Boyd represents. The wrist pendants look like watches and are easy to use. Photo by Judy Andrews

In January, Boyd was voted the Best of Fair Oaks 2024’s Best Senior Care/Services, a category that includes local professionals and businesses involved in various facets of senior care.

“It was an honor to be awarded ‘best’ by my peers and the community for something I love doing,” she said. “My deep commitment to preserving independence for older adults is at the heart of my work.”

Shared HealthQuest owner Vanessa Grenyion, “Dot has much empathy and the ability to connect personally with people, which makes her so good at what she does. She genuinely cares about others.”

Grenyion carries some of Boyd’s devices in her Orangevale medical supply store.

As an expert in her field, Boyd is frequently invited to speak to older adults at local senior centers, support groups and senior living communities. Recently, Boyd gave a presentation to 50 senior industry professionals at a breakfast meeting.

“At my seminars, I often hear eye-opening stories from audience members sharing their fall experiences and lack of an emergency plan,” Boyd said.

She has heard it all, too, including stories of seniors stranded at home on the bathroom floor, waiting for hours or even days for assistance to arrive.

“In most cases, fall victims cannot reach a phone to call for help,” Boyd said. “The emergency alert and monitoring systems I represent provide critical, fast support 24/7 because you only need to press a button. The peace of mind these devices offer is immeasurable.”

For more information, visit dotforseniorsafety.com or contact Boyd at 916-799-1660.