How to Prepare for a Medical Emergency as an Older Person Living Alone

Medical emergencies can be very stressful, especially for older people. Older people often find themselves in isolating living situations. This creates a vulnerable environment where they can get injured. Depending on the severity of one’s injury or ailment, the course of action will be different. However, a good checklist will ensure one’s safety in an emergency.  

 

Types of Emergencies

There are several types of frequent injuries that happen to older adults. Read below to find out about the most common medical emergencies and how to respond to them most efficiently.

 

Bleeding: from accidental knife cuts to mild grazes, bleeding can occur for a variety of causes. Even though most cuts can be tended to at home, some injuries can be more severe. In these situations, applying pressure with paper towels, napkins or bandages to the wound is very important. If the cut is deep and requires stitches, calling 911 or a close family member is the next best action. 

Choking: If something becomes lodged in a person’s throat, they will naturally cough due to the body’s response. Bending over and holding onto a sturdy surface will help displace the object. However, if coughing does not help, the Heimlich maneuver is a good emergency response method. This maneuver involves making a fist and punching your upper abdomen repeatedly. You can also achieve the same result by roughly bumping into the top edge of a chair. 

Falling: injuries from falling are some of the most common accidents among older adults. While most falls do not cause extensive harm, it is important to seek appropriate medical care afterward. Some injuries may not be apparent, so calling a family member for assistance and visiting a clinic should not be overlooked. 

Heart Attack: an unexpected heart attack is hard to deal with independently. Thus, if you begin to feel hot and sharp sensations in your chest, you must call 911. The sooner you call 911, the higher your chance of survival is. 

 

Medical emergencies vary in severity, covering a vast range of possible situations. Therefore, adopting an emergency plan is important for an older adult because it prepares one for the unexpected:

 

Staying Calm 

 The first and most important step in every situation is to stay calm. While this can be hard, it is a significant preliminary step to ensuring that you can follow your emergency plan. Staying composed allows you to be rational, increasing your chances of acting accordingly. 

Emergency Plan 

Having an emergency plan is the best way of preparing for an emergency. An emergency plan will outline the steps you should take in case of an emergency, listing contacts and resources that you should seek out if something happens. An effective way to organize your plan is to split it into three categories: risk assessment, evacuation and shelter plan in case of a disaster; list of emergency supplies and medications; communication plan with family members.

List of Contacts

The first component that an emergency plan should have is a list of contacts, local services, and other resources that a person could contact. You can create a message group or phone call chain that would notify all your family members in case of an emergency. Keeping the contact information updated is crucial. 

Medical Records

 Additionally, the emergency plan should have copies of medical records, personal records or any other information that would be relevant in case of an emergency. If someone is unconscious, this can help the medical team act efficiently. 

First Aid Kit

Having a first aid kit available to an older adult will be helpful with minor injuries. Likewise, this will improve one’s ability to help themselves as fast as possible.

Medicine

Keeping a full stock of medicine will avoid unnecessary trips to the pharmacy or medical center. Additionally, having copies of your prescriptions is also helpful. This will ensure that others have access to your medical needs and records in case of an emergency where you are unconscious. 

Resources

New technologies and resources have improved emergency response. Appliances like medical ID bracelets and notification apps can facilitate getting help too. Notification apps are designed to alert your loved ones with the click of a button on your smartphone. Medical ID bracelets serve the purpose of carrying information about your identity, medical history, and needs. While there are many variations of these smart bracelets, here is a summary of the best ones depending on your needs. 

Prioritizing your safety is imperative, especially if you live alone. By creating an emergency plan, you will put yourself and your loved ones at ease about your safety.

— Eugenia Shakhnovskaya