When Gwen Potter woke up in her London seniors’ apartment on Remembrance Day in 2022, she sensed that something was amiss. Struggling to walk to the kitchen, she discovered her legs were unsteady, leading to a sudden blackout. Recalling the incident, Potter revealed she had suffered a stroke.
After a brief period on the floor, Potter managed to drag herself to her bedroom, where she activated the emergency call bell, prompting a swift response from staff at Chelsey Park complex. This quick intervention, facilitated by the call bell system, potentially saved her life, according to her daughter, Alison Potter.
Living independently at Chelsey Park’s apartment building, 90-year-old Potter performs daily tasks on her own. However, a notification from the residence’s executive director in July 2025 announced the discontinuation of the call bell system in her building, raising concerns for residents’ safety.
In response to malfunction issues, Chelsey Park ceased the call bell system in the independent living apartments but maintained it in the long-term care section, as clarified by a spokesperson. Despite the system not being mandatory in the independent living units, Potter’s family had chosen the apartment specifically for this feature.
Following the removal of the call bell, residents were offered alternative emergency alert options, including nurse hotlines and private alert systems with subscription fees. However, Potter expressed financial constraints and practical concerns with these alternatives, citing difficulties in operating a phone during emergencies.
Struggling with the added costs, Potter and fellow residents found the subscription-based alert systems impractical. Despite the challenges, Potter maintains a safety routine with a friend for daily check-ins, highlighting the need for better support and solutions at Chelsey Park to ensure residents’ well-being.
Alison Potter emphasized the importance of addressing the economic impact on seniors and advocated for Chelsey Park to consider reinstating a call bell system, providing personal alarm systems, or adjusting rent to alleviate residents’ financial burdens.