How can I intervene on my 74 yr old brother that keeps falling?
He falls, will not call 911 because he can't afford it. I live in SC, he in Florida. He rarely answers his phone. I've been trying to get him up here with me. He won't. What can I do?
After excellent health care, an adjustment to less medications, my loved one has stopped falling. It took about 3 years, he is in an assisted living facility.
Gone is the walker, returned to occasional crutches, can ambulate to his electric wheelchair or his electric scooter. Can wheelchair himself in non-electric chair now that his arm strength has returned.
No more bumps in the head.
Not a miracle, but an improvement in his health. And a testimony for those stubborn, let me alone, don't touch me, let me do it myself stubborn fighter types! imo.
Where we live, if you call 911 and say there's someone who's fallen and needs to be picked up, the fire department sends its emergency services "crew" (paramedics, a van, and even a fire truck!). They do an assessment to see if transport to ER is needed, and if not, they just pick the person up. I don't believe there is a charge for this, but I'm sure if they were called very frequently some other action might have to be taken. (As an aside, we do pay pretty high taxes, and this level of public service may not be available everywhere.) But more important, someone needs to get at the root of why your brother is having such frequent falls--could be any one of a myraid of things from low blood pressure to Parkinson's disease to neuropathy afecting his feet.
Other than calling APS, don't think there is much you can do unless brother has Dementia and even then you need POA. Which iscwhat I would try to have him assign you. They may help him with services but if he refuses them, not much u can do.
Oh! You could use the fact that he can’t afford it as a selling point to get him up there with you! Maybe explain how it would be in his best interest financially in addition to being much better for him medically?
Ahmijoy, In Florida Medicare B will only cover a portion of the cost to the hospital if it’s deemed a medically necessary service and transportation in any other vehicle could endanger his health.
Ruthw57, please call Adult Protective Services as Ahmijoy advised.
There’s a charge for emergency services in Florida? Not up here in Ohio. In any case, if there is, Medicare should pay for it.
You need to call Adult Protective Services in his county of residence and report an adult at risk. They will come out and evaluate his situation. You really cannot force him to leave his home, give up his independence and come live with you. That’s a real blow to his pride. But APS should be made aware of a Senior Adult at risk.
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Gone is the walker, returned to occasional crutches, can ambulate to his electric wheelchair or his electric scooter. Can wheelchair himself in non-electric chair now that his arm strength has returned.
No more bumps in the head.
Not a miracle, but an improvement in his health. And a testimony for those stubborn, let me alone, don't touch me, let me do it myself stubborn fighter types!
imo.
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Ruthw57, please call Adult Protective Services as Ahmijoy advised.
I hope it it works out well for both of you 🙂
You need to call Adult Protective Services in his county of residence and report an adult at risk. They will come out and evaluate his situation. You really cannot force him to leave his home, give up his independence and come live with you. That’s a real blow to his pride. But APS should be made aware of a Senior Adult at risk.