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Non-emergency "lift assist" rather than a 911 call is useful

dancsfo
dancsfo Member Posts: 387
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This is not specific to dementia, but if your LO falls and you can't lift the patient, you can request "lift assist" in some towns, which will avoid dispatching a full set of vehicles with sirens (or even a police car) to provide medical assistance. It may take a bit longer since it a non-emergency.

I have not requested one yet, but learned of this in a support group I am part of.

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  • Damiross
    Damiross Member Posts: 80
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    It's available here in Alameda County (California). They send out firefighters and, in case there are injuries, a medic.

  • Chance Rider
    Chance Rider Member Posts: 395
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    That’s great info to have, thank you! We live in a very rural area about 45 minutes from town but a fully staffed fire station is a mile away.

  • MN Chickadee
    MN Chickadee Member Posts: 1,032
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    edited May 14

    Yes that is a thing where I live as well, both in the city and many rural volunteer departments. Firefighters (our first responders here) even have a special gizmo to assist. If someone on the floor is plus sized and difficult to lift it's hard on first responders bodies to lift them, so they have a big air mat they roll the person on to and it slowly inflates with air to raise them up so it is less weight for the medic.

  • janeedee
    janeedee Member Posts: 37
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    I’ve had this non emergency number for a while. Had to use it for the first time Sunday here in Horry County SC. They sent 4 firefighters who were absolutely great. They will also transport if they think it’s necessary (my LO refused). We had Dr appt on Tues. They said call back whenever needed, - that’s what we’re here for, ❤️

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
Read more