Calling 911: Tips for Seniors

Serious medical emergencies are time-sensitive and seniors often call a family member first. This delays medical care.

The following is a list of special tips that can help save the lives of our senior citizens:

• Invoice #oice #oice #oice #oice #oice #oice #est in a touch-tone phone with large, easy-to-read numbers.
• Put a 911 reminder near the phone. Dialing "0" will not always connect you with an operator nearby. It may connect you with an operator hundreds of miles away.

Call if you're having a medical emergency. Many seniors don't want to be a bother or are unsure about whether they should call 911. Medical emergencies include:

• Trouble breathing
• Chest pain
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Major fall

Seniors have enough experience to know when something is wrong, so call 911 and let the first responders help.

• Landline phones allow the dispatcher to "know" where you are calling from even if you cannot speak - for example, if you are experiencing a stroke or if there is an intruder in your home. Just dial 911 and leave the phone off the hook. Do not hang up.
• Keep your medical history taped to the refrigerator in an envelope clearly marked with your doctor's phone number(s).

To help save critical time after calling 911:

• Putting animals in another room
• Turn on lights
• Ensuring your house number can be seen easily
• Unlock and open the front door
• Clear a path to the patient, both inside and outside - leave room for the ambulance in the driveway if possible