Falls are dangerous. We can’t plan where we will fall. Rest assured it will not be close to a telephone, and heaven help you if you break a bone and can’t crawl across the floor to reach one to possibly save your life.
In just a few weeks, five of my friends have fallen. Two lay on the floor for hours because both broke a hip and neither could reach the phone. Another had a broken pelvis. After a stay in hospital she can no longer live alone. She is moving to a care home next week.
Another friend sat down awkwardly on the arm of a chair, which tipped over. Maisie fell with the chair on top of her, so she called for her husband to help her. He moved the chair a bit but he couldn’t help Maisie. Then he fell into a big waste basket.
Fortunately, they were able to call neighbours who helped get Joe out of the basket and Maisie from under the chair.
They had come close to being stuck, perhaps for hours, so they decided that it was time to get a Medical Alert unit.
They found one, and with an extra wristband, they were soon wearing them all day. This really happened only three weeks ago!
Now, I am becoming a bore to friends who say “I never fall.”
There is always a first time, and that can take away your freedom. My first falls only gave me black eyes. I was able to get up by myself. The third one broke my ankle. I managed to reach a phone and was taken to emergency.
I promised myself that I would get a medical alert then. Three years later I have one.
It comes with a pendant and a wristband, both with a button to press. This makes contact with the person who answers from the unit on a two-way receiver.
You’ll have given them numbers to call. Preferably the first call is to someone near you with a key, then family. With police and ambulance phone numbers as well, they take charge of any emergency immediately.
Unfortunately, like most things, these units aren’t free. Prices range from about $30 to $50 a month.
Ask questions if you phone for information. I wasn’t ready with questions as the call came unexpectedly, so be prepared.
You can pay annually or monthly. If you are on a tight budget ask for a monthly payment. Mine was annual, but I didn’t know as I didn’t ask.
I ordered the unit and a week later it was plugged into the phone and ready to use. I wear the wristband in preference to the pendant. It is beside my bed at night, ready to pick up for nocturnal wanderings.
Information is in the very useful Richmond Seniors Directory, available free in Pharmacies or Community Centres all over Richmond.
Don’t lie on the floor for hours.
You have a choice. Help is there.
Olive McDonald is an active senior who lives in Steveston.
