Pendant emergency services

[MoreWellie]

then the call center rings and asks if your ok

On the landline which is going to be discontinued at the end of next year. Better to get a system now which is ready for that

Edit: unless they carry a mobile and are happy using it

 

[Hotstuff]

My mum is 88 and had more falls than i can remember, but she is a stoic old bird and resisted getting a fall alarm, until she had to crawl round half the garden in the rain as she cant stand up without help since she had her knee replaced.
We convinced her to use Calecare. came via recommendation from friend who had same issue, shes had had quite a few call outs since and they have been perfect.
when they couldn't get hold of me or the other nominated responders they have staff that will attended within 20 mins, and call 999 if required.
Age UK where more expensive.

I doubt society in general are aware of how horrible elderly falls can be.

An elderly person initially falling without injury but subject to a long lay on a hard floor can cause terrible pressure sores and the potential for kidney damage.

It’s great to see companies offering these services but I expect they are very limited in what they can do after calling an ambulance.

Typically a non injury fall will attract a C3/4 response code and categorised as not life threatening. A patient can still wait for many hours after calling for an ambulance.

Their scope of practice is probably very limited and they may be able assist a patient to get up but I doubt they will be using any lifting equipment without the assistance of a clinician.

Would they wait with the patient until an ambulance crew arrived; it could be many hours?

Because of the long lay, the patient can become dehydrated, hypothermic especially if they are laying in urine & develop the most horrific pressure sores.
What started as a non injury fall can become a condition that requires a stay in hospital or even death.

 

[Mikes]

I've a relative who has a PPP Talking Care system. Currently still has an analogue phone system. I recently spoke with them and they now do a system suitable for digital phones so have a replacement option as and when this occurs. Always found PPP very helpful to deal with.

 

[ukracer]

I doubt society in general are aware of how horrible elderly falls can be.

An elderly person initially falling without injury but subject to a long lay on a hard floor can cause terrible pressure sores and the potential for kidney damage.

It’s great to see companies offering these services but I expect they are very limited in what they can do after calling an ambulance.

Typically a non injury fall will attract a C3/4 response code and categorised as not life threatening. A patient can still wait for many hours after calling for an ambulance.

Their scope of practice is probably very limited and they may be able assist a patient to get up but I doubt they will be using any lifting equipment without the assistance of a clinician.

Would they wait with the patient until an ambulance crew arrived; it could be many hours?

Because of the long lay, the patient can become dehydrated, hypothermic especially if they are laying in urine & develop the most horrific pressure sores.
What started as a non injury fall can become a condition that requires a stay in hospital or even death.

WMFS started a partnership with the local authority which was nicknamed Nan down. They turned out a fire engine to a fall notification.

Years ago it might have worked but with the Service slashed to the bone over the years. Even things like topography and familiarisation has been lost long long ago.

What was more annoying was it was the poachers turned game keepers ticking boxes "keeping fire fighters working" as they called it than a solution to a problem so it was not thought through correctly.
I think is has been abandoned now.

 

[Robotstar5]

WMFS started a partnership with the local authority which was nicknamed Nan down. They turned out a fire engine to a fall notification.

Years ago it might have worked but with the Service slashed to the bone over the years. Even things like topography and familiarisation has been lost long long ago.

What was more annoying was it was the poachers turned game keepers ticking boxes "keeping fire fighters working" as they called it than a solution to a problem so it was not thought through correctly.
I think is has been abandoned now.

That just gave me a vision of Technical rescue turning out with their large animal lifting gear

 

[Hotstuff]

WMFS started a partnership with the local authority which was nicknamed Nan down. They turned out a fire engine to a fall notification.

Years ago it might have worked but with the Service slashed to the bone over the years. Even things like topography and familiarisation has been lost long long ago.

What was more annoying was it was the poachers turned game keepers ticking boxes "keeping fire fighters working" as they called it than a solution to a problem so it was not thought through correctly.
I think is has been abandoned now.

It’s always good to get just anyone on scene if for no other reason than reassuring the patient and making sure they’re warm and hydrated.

The problem is that in moving a patient you can cause harm just from handling alone. If they have been laying for a long time, moving them can present other problems.

It’s wise to take a set of observations before moving and get guidance from clinician.

As you say, I doubt the fire service would have been the solution to this problem and it was more of a political issue.

The Community First Responders attend non injury falls using Raizer lifting chairs. Unless advised otherwise, we have to stay with the patient until the ambulance arrives; as you can imagine, these calls can take up a great deal of time.

 

[ukracer]

It’s always good to get just anyone on scene if for no other reason than reassuring the patient and making sure they’re warm and hydrated.

The problem is that in moving a patient you can cause harm just from handling alone. If they have been laying for a long time, moving them can present other problems.

It’s wise to take a set of observations before moving and get guidance from clinician.

As you say, I doubt the fire service would have been the solution to this problem and it was more of a political issue.

The Community First Responders attend non injury falls using Raizer lifting chairs. Unless advised otherwise, we have to stay with the patient until the ambulance arrives; as you can imagine, these calls can take up a great deal of time.

THAT I believe was the problem. Tying up resources of 4 trained fire fighters unavailable for fires etc .

 

[Morrisman]

It’s always good to get just anyone on scene if for no other reason than reassuring the patient and making sure they’re warm and hydrated.

The problem is that in moving a patient you can cause harm just from handling alone. If they have been laying for a long time, moving them can present other problems.

It’s wise to take a set of observations before moving and get guidance from clinician.

As you say, I doubt the fire service would have been the solution to this problem and it was more of a political issue.

The Community First Responders attend non injury falls using Raizer lifting chairs. Unless advised otherwise, we have to stay with the patient until the ambulance arrives; as you can imagine, these calls can take up a great deal of time.

First time my dad used his pendant I got a phone call to go to his place and stay with him while we waited for the emergency guys. It was just an ambulance, and the they used some sort of blow up chair to get him back upright, a long fiddly process.

A few weeks later he’d fallen down again, two ambulance guys simply grabbed him under the arms and stood him up…..

After that I would just stand him up myself, if I was there. I was always the first person they would call when his alarm went off. He had lost so much weight it wasn’t hard. I’d sit him up, get behind him, put my arms under his armpits and stand up.

 

[Blobber]

Glad to hear that your mum was okay.

The Lifeline type systems are good as long as the client wears the pendant and then uses it. It’s not uncommon for elderly people not wanting to trouble anyone.

You might want to investigate if the systems will operate on the new broadband based phone systems that are becoming more commonplace in homes.

Age UK might be a good source of information.

Good luck

This was my old man 5 weeks ago, always had a battle with him to wear the pendant, when he did fall 5 weeks ago he didnt want to use the alarm in case it put anybody out so he lay on the floor all night soaked in pizz with a fractured hip
Luckily the heating was on

 

[Dozzer]

It’s great to see companies offering these services but I expect they are very limited in what they can do after calling an ambulance.

Their scope of practice is probably very limited and they may be able assist a patient to get up but I doubt they will be using any lifting equipment without the assistance of a clinician.

Would they wait with the patient until an ambulance crew arrived; it could be many hours?

The company my mother uses normally has 1 responder and if they are not able to lift they can call other carers to assist.
They have waited with her for over 2 hours for the ambulance crew to arrive.
Some of there staff are ex nurses or other trained health professionals + same company provides relief staff to the local community hospital.
for the small monthly fee its peace of mind for my mother just as much as anything else, and means i can go on holiday without wondering if im going to get a call from a neighbour.

 

[bricol]

The council supplied one for my mum - they would call me to say what had happened, that they had sent a responder - they waited with her until the ambulance or I turned up if needed.

Well worth the 4 quid a month it cost, although my mum insisted it was a waste of time as she didn't need it . .. As I pointed out, you don't need seatbelts . . . until you do.

Main problem was her remembering she had a pendant around her neck that needed pressing - she did finally. Eventually changed to one that triggered with shocks automatically. Saved her numerous times.

 

[blackolive (Ste)]

They can be the bane of your life when owned by a pathetic, attention seeking old man. The last red button pressing episode here was caused by him having indigestion, caused by having a rice pudding before bed which he has been told not to do because he’s up all night with indigestion.

I dont quite know how he managed to do it but he managed to get an ambulance trip to hospital, that may have been needed for someone in real need, taking up a bed for the night, and taking up patient services time and resources to bring him home the next day.

The previous episode was having the in laws trailing round at 1am to check he was ok. His night light was annoying him.



A good idea when used properly but of course the one time he uses it genuinely, there will be no urgency