Just before the 2013 Thanksgiving holiday, Medical Guardian Life Safety Consultant, Michael Ferraro, sold a Mobile Guardian system to Robert in Indianapolis. Robert had recently moved in with his daughter but with her job taking her outside of the home all day, they both felt that having the added security of a medical alert device would bring them peace of mind.
On August 5, 2014, Robert fell in the bathroom and was unable to get up and was unresponsive because he did not have his hearing aids in. Panicking, his granddaughter Stephanie, who was at home at the time, used her grandfather’s button to call for help. Stephanie was able to tell the Operator on the other end of the line what had happened with her Grandfather and asked him to please arrange to have EMTs sent to the house immediately. The EMTs made it over to the house within minutes and were able to help Robert off the bathroom floor and assist with his injuries as a result of the fall.
Falls can happen at any time, whether you live alone or with family members. It’s important not to be too quick to help an injured person up after a fall, as it may result in worsening their injuries. This is especially true when older people are involved, as broken bones can be devastating to their overall quality of health.
Falls Happen At Home
According to the National Safety Council, “falls are one of the leading cause of injuries in the United States, accounting for nearly 8.6 million visits to the emergency room” each year.
To help combat falls the NSC has put together the following suggestions to help you prevent falls at home:
- Exercise such as brisk walking, tai chi and yoga, helps reduce falls by improving strength and balance. Stay hydrated while exercising and consult with your physician before starting an exercise program.
- Some medicines, combination of medicines or other combinations (sun, alcohol, etc.) can make you drowsy or light-headed, which can lead to a fall. Have a doctor or pharmacist review all of your medications.
- Have your vision checked regularly by an eye doctor. Poor vision can greatly increase your chance of falling.
- Regularly take measures to identify and eliminate fall hazards at work and home.
- Pay attention to where you are going. Distractions can lead to a slip, trip or fall due to a step, crack or hole in the ground.
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Falls can happen in any location, even in familiar areas.
