My husband has Alzheimer’s. We are alone, no family or friends…just us.
we live in a very rural area.
My question is, what do people do for someone with Alzheimer’s if the sole caregiver (in our case, me) needs emergency medical assistance?
My husband can’t remember our address, and if he found me lying on the floor unconscious, I am sure what he would do. I’m not sure if he’d know to dial 911…again, he doesn’t remember our address, so they’d have to be able to track it.
Should I buy one of those monitored devices for myself, hoping I can press the button before I collapse? I kinda feel silly for being concerned. I am 61 and fairly healthy, overweight, but not much else going on.
What do people do?
I would assess both the risk & consequences.
You are young & pretty healthy, right? So very LOW risk of faint, heart attack, collapse. If you tripped & broke a bone, most people could still crawl to the phone, unless they injured their back or hit their head. Chance of that LOW. Outcome of DH cannot call EMS or bring you the phone.. unknown..could be LOW with a sprain to HIGH if a head wound.
It's a good question. It may lead you to start asking others.
Q. What are your medium to longer term care plans for your DH?
Q. How will you obtain a sitter or home help if/when you need to?
Eg when DH cannot be left alone or brought along for shopping. Or help him wash if he refuses?
Q would you like to be closer to family/friends/activities?
Q Who would care for DH if you had a broken leg?
As a nurse we often had spouses brought in under these circumstances; The spouse was hospitalized until social services found placement during the caregivers acute hospitalization. We even had animals at home brought in to the shelter during hospitalization of family members. Just be certain the info is easily available. EMS workers are taught to check refrigerator door for POLST regarding DNR or DO resuscitate orders extant for a person.