Who can you call to pick you up if you fall at home? Sounds like a silly question, but do you have to get a bracelet with a panic button? Are the other options?
My dear mother has fallen twice at home in the last few months and my father cannot pick her up. So each time he called 911, they sent an ambulance, the drivers took her to the closest ER, then she spent 2 days having cat scans and blood tests that showed nothing. This routine is likely to continue unless I can suggest a different course of action.
Thanks for any input.
Now, regarding falls and head injuries. Sometimes the elder doesn't want to be a bother so the elder won't tell the EMT's that a head bump had happened. Head injuries in the elderly can be quite serious. And some head trauma cannot be seen outside of the skull.
One time when my Mom went to the ER, an scan showed she had a brain bleed prior to the current brain bleed. Oh gosh, apparently Mom had a previous fall that Dad didn't tell me about. Sadly the current fall caused Mom's demise a few months later. Oh, if only Mom would have used a walker, she refused big time.... [sigh]. Mom kept saying "oh, Dad will catch me if I fall"..... yeah right, Dad was unable to get out of his chair for at least 5 minutes due to mobility issues, how was he going to stop a fall from across the room [rolling eyes]. Denial.
JeanneGibbs - get a lockbox for your front door. It has a combination lock that someone can open and it has a front door key inside. If you have to call the paramedics, you can tell them the combination.
She went from hospital directly to assisted living and I moved Dad in 3 days later.
Just about the toughest few days of my life but it had to be done.
I was totally burnt out with all the worry and trying to keep their ship afloat.
I bought a leather pouch that I carry my cell phone in all day. (Women's clothing can't be counted on to have pockets.) So, as long as I am conscious I should be able to summon help. So far, so good, right?
But then, how is the help going to get into my locked house, with me lying helpless in the basement laundry room? Hmm ...
I need to be sure all nearby family members have keys. Even if my petite granddaughter couldn't lift me, she could at least let the firemen in.
The one time I got called by my mother's alert system, her door was locked. I got the apartment supervisor who opened the door with a pass key. But then the chain was on! He had to go find a bolt cutter. Having someone come is the first step. GingerMay, your father is home with Mom and he could open a door. But for people who live alone, the other important step is how is that person going to get in?
So if you have a family member, or friend, who lives close by the pendant service could call them to help her up. And if 911 is called, she can refuse to go to the hospital.
But it might be time for a different living arrangement, where there is somebody nearby at all times to help.
When the paramedics arrive you just ask them to lift the person up, place them wherever you want, wheelchair, bed.
They will ask if you want or need transport to the hospital.
Decline further medical care. (Unless the person is obviously hurt) they will ask you to sign off on papers showing that they were there, you declined transport to the hospital.
I had to do this about 9 times over 4 years and I never had a problem and I was never pressured into a Hospital transfer.
The Paramedics are trained to help lift someone and it is safer for them to do it than for you and another family member or a neighbor.
So far I have managed to get him up - but I know the day is coming.
Lifts are not cheap but they are available and it might be the way I go instead. Hospice will supply a Hoyer Lift but my DH isn't on Hospice yet.
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