What to do in an emergency??

charley0419 · April 2

it’s me again haha. I play a game with my wife that I’m feeling ill and become unconscious I ask her what do yo do , by the time she even says I don’t know I could be gone. My question is what to do ? Has trouble using phone or remembering numbers or even where those numbers are , even 911 is an issue. She’s very bad with phone even working TV really worries me. What do you do ????

SusanB-dil · April 2

My county has a 'Citizen Well Check'. They call you - 5 days a week, and if you do not answer or respond, they will send someone to your house. The system is automated. Check to see if you have one available.

From their website:

Citizens who participate in this FREE program are automatically checked on by phone five days a week. An automated call with a prerecorded message or a live call will be made at the same time each day. For the automated call, you will hear a message and it will ask for a confirmation by pressing a key. If you can’t answer the telephone immediately, another call will be made shortly. If they do not respond to the second call, a third call will be made soon after. If the citizen did not answer at this time and designated a contact person on the application, a call will be made to that person and the Sheriff's Office will dispatch a deputy to the member's residence to determine if he or she is okay. You can call the office to cancel or hold the calls if you will be away.

Arrowhead · April 2

If my phone is not charging, it's usually in my pocket, just in case.

jfkoc · April 2

You get and wear a medical alert device!!!

SDianeL · April 3

the VA gave us a medical alert device. If you need help you press the button. They answer immediately. If you fall the device calls them. If you can’t answer they send help. I had to use it twice and it worked perfectly.

SDianeL · April 3

here’s the one the VA gave us https://www.medequipalert.com/veterans/

Carl46 · April 3

I have a medical alert device, but it won't work if I just don't wake up in the morning. Some have suggested we set up a daily call or text with another person who lives alone or without anyone who can help. That neighbor, relative, or friend can check on you or send help if you don't respond to the text, and you can do the same for them. I haven't done it, but I'm thinking about it.

DTSbuddy · April 3

My DH, who lives at home with me, is unable to talk comprehensibly or use a phone, or even answer the doorbell. He is quite irrational, but strong and active. I have worried what would happen if I become incapacitated. I carry my phone at all times. I've hired a companion to come be with him five days/week for 3 hours, and he would call our son in town if no one answers the doorbell when he comes. On weekends, my son texts me and I answer him that we're ok.

harshedbuzz · April 3

It's best to have—

A Medical Alert bracelet for you and your DD identifying you as a dementia caregiver and DW as a PWD in the event you are separated for some reason. Her behavior suggests it is no long safe to leave her unattended, btw.

A daily check-in with the outside world— a call or text exchange with a friend, neighbor or family member.

A lock box so anyone called to do a well check can enter the home without busting open the door.

If you have Smart911 in your community, register with them. They can give first responders detail information en route to your house— medical information for both, medical history, preferred hospital, pets in the home, photograph of DW in case she elopes, code for the lock box and emergency contacts.

https://smart911.com/

HB

H1235 · April 3

You have received some great advice. You would also want to alert any first responders that your wife can not be left along while you are taken to the hospital. The smart911 sounds like a good way to do that. Maybe even a big note on the fridge. Along these same lines. Do you have legal matters in order if something were o happen to you?

MN Chickadee · April 3

Apple Watch has a fall detection that will call 911 if you go down and don't hit the button saying you are ok. (It also has detections for things like A-Fib and irregular heartbeat, which could possibly clue you in to some issues before an emergency.) If you fell and were unable to get up to reach the phone you can place calls from the watch. But as someone else said, it doesn't help if you just don't get out of bed in the morning. I'd probably have text arrangement with someone. Even if they aren't local, just someone who will notice if you don't send the "I'm ok" message every day and would call the authorities. If you don't have smart 911 you can leave a sign right inside your main entrance saying in the event of an emergency, look in the binder found in the xyz. There you would have it stated your wife's condition, her meds, who to call in an emergency etc. It was crazy to hear that even someone well-off like Gene Hackman, who turned out did have dementia, could be left in a predicament where the wife is dead and nobody checks on them for weeks. Definitely something to make arrangements for.