Posted on 02/22/2019 6:18:07 AM PST by enraged
My elderly neighbor fell in his bath tub and laid there for nearly 3 days, alone, cold, and scared. Apparently he had a massive heart attack, and fell and could not summon help. By chance the neighbor on the other side took notice that his car hadn't moved for days and called 911. Their action and the quick response by Police, Fire, and Paramedics at least saved him from spending his last moments on earth alone. His family was notified after some extensive searching by my wife and I through church records. He was a kind old man who we enjoyed spending summer evenings chatting with in the back yard and he was like an adopted grandfather to our 2 sons when they were young. If you have elderly neighbors or family members please take the time to call or check on them every few days, this is very likely a sad and horrible end to a life well lived. And ensure you or someone known to them has contact information for family members. We were in a panic as the hospital was asking us, if the time came, would we make choices for him. We agreed but did not feel comfortable about playing that role.
Warren was a veteran serving after WWII in Europe in some sort of communications role, he was slated to go to Korea but the war ended before he was sent. He then returned to the states and ran a camera shop in Oahu for many years before moving to Oregon. He was a hardworking, and occasionally cranky, old guy but had a charm and wit to him that endeared him to most all around. He was active in his church for many, many years and delivered food to the elderly with Meals on Wheels even though he was 85 himself, and also volunteered at our local senior center on a near daily basis.
Thankfully he had the foresight to have a will and end of life directives thereby reliving his only living relative, who is 90 herself, from having to try and figure things out on his behalf.
They may be removing life support tonight, I called his priest and they are prepared to give last rights when the time comes. His 90 year old cousin is in contact with the hospital and lawyer and will make the call when that time comes.
May the Lord guide him gently to a place of peace.
Thank you.
Bless you and your wife for being the kind of neighbors that care. That is disappearing in today’s society.
Praying for Warren.
My prayers to all involved. My mom is 92 and still living on her own. I call her twice a day and visit at least 3 times a week to make sure she’s alright.
Bless you. And of course you have already been blessed by having known this good man and having had him in your life and the lives of your sons.
Prayers up for your friend. Thank you for your kindness in helping him through this. Thank you, also, for the reminder of our need to check on one another.
How sad.
FRiends, if your area has a police service that calls the elderly daily, please sign up for it.
“We were in a panic as the hospital was asking us, if the time came, would we make choices for him. We agreed but did not feel comfortable about playing that role.”
The hospital asked non-relatives to make end of life choices? Yikes.
I’m sad to think anyone would have to go through that. Praying for him.
Good luck and godspeed soldier. The evil and danger of falls is way underestimated...I found out about that the hard way. Have known some damn fine human beings lost to falls. Can’t be too careful.
Prayers said
A call the elderly service seems like an excellent idea, even if it isn’t organized by municipal offices.
I know a woman who will never completely recover from a fall in a bathtub, and she isn’t even 50 yet. Cut her knee deep, it eventually got so infected she almost lost the leg.
You can go flying and land on any of several hard sharp objects jutting out from the tub wall — faucet, spout — or hit the edge of a sink or toilet. If you’re lucky you’ll just bleed a lot. If you’re very unlucky it’ll knock you unconscious and you’ll drown in the tub water.
A prudent addition to any bath is a safety bar, and there are other modifications normally associated with elderly and handicapped assistance that might save anyone from injury or even death.
Don’t wait ‘til you’re old and frail, or you could be — sooner than you expected.
Bless you for your kindness.
At the time we were the only people who had contacted them. It was their only option at the time. It took about 4 hours to track down his only relative.
Prayers lifted for Your Neighbor.
Prayers for the gentleman.
Thank you all for your kindness.
Warren had shown some improvement yesterday but will be in the hospital for 3+ weeks before he can move to rehab.
It is still day to day.
Bless all of you for your concern and prayers.
Thank you.
Thanks for the update. Hopefully he’ll be able to make a full and miraculous recovery.
Excellent advice...
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