First of all, why is she falling so much? Does she have balance problems? Or orthstatic hypotension? You should have her examined by her physician and also request an evaluation for physical therapy. If she falls, you should not attempt to lift her alone. You risk injuring both of you. I would purchase a med alert system so that if she falls you can push the button and get help. Some of the systems can be programmed to notify family members first. It also might be wise to have the physician order a home safety evaluation to eliminate fall risks. This evaluation usually performed by occupational therapists.
Here fire truck and ambulance would respond, cost is over $ 1000.00 I have insurance, but copay is $ 225.00. no insurance? you are responsible for bill
We are living in an Assisted Living place, Been here since June 2019. very nice place, wife has mild dementia wants to go home, last month she got up from recliner chair and somehow slid down to floor, there she stretched out and went to sleep, I called staff to give a hand and lift her up, Staff came touched to see if anything was broken she complained of pain like she always does, Staff took out phone and started calling ER's, I told staff not to call ER they did not even look at me, I begged them not to call, Ambulance and a fire truck was there in a short time with about 6 personel. Put a blanket on floor , rolled her over two men picked up ends and lifted her on easy chair. When awake she would get up herself, I learned a lesson Do not call for help It would cost I have insurance also co-pay of $225.00 that I have to pay for something we did not need.
I understand your upset about having a bill for services you feel (probably correctly) you didn't really need; however I ask you to consider a couple of other thoughts.
While you saw your wife's fall and know it was not very violent, the AL staff did not see the fall and have to consider your judgement about what many be a fall with enough violence to injury your wife may not be the best. Finding her sleeping or unconscious to their viewpoint was probably frightening. They were afraid she might have a more serious injury.
Sometimes we are just wrong. Past history of no injury falls can cause us to think the current fall is not a serious injury event too. In Sep 2018 my mother drug her left foot, lost her balance, fell hard to her knees and then went completely down in our living room. Mom did not "hit" any furniture on her way down; her only contact was with the floor itself. She sat up and braced herself with her hands and didn't seem to be in any pain but I could see bruising on both knees. I was able to lift Mom onto a low stool, but Mom complained about knee pain when she tried to assist. I wrapped her up in a blanket and called 911 for lift assist and evaluation; EMTs got Mom into a chair, checked vital stats for injuries and assured me Mom could not have any simple fractures or messed up her replacement knee joints because her vital signs indicated she just wasn't in enough pain. I accepted their evaluation and did not transport my mother to the ER. Instead, I got family help to settle her into her lift recliner, iced both knees, gave her anti-inflammatories and watched closely. In a week, the left knee swelling and bruising was obliviously healing well, Mom was placing weight on the knee without any pain but the right knee wasn't much better. A few weeks later, the left knee was completely healed and the bruising had left the right knee but Mom still could not place weight on it so off we went to the doctor. X-rays showed a fracture of the femur just above the knee replacement. In hindsight, I wish Mom had been transported. In this case, it didn't impact her treatment choices or recovery but what if the delay would have made a difference? My mother had a decades long history of falls in the house and yard with no serious injuries beyond bruising and I expected that pattern to continue unless she hit something like the bathtub on the way down. I had not accepted Mom was older and just plain more likely to be injured from _any_ fall, even a simple one.
In my state, we have a 311 non-emergency call operator. I asked for a lift assist and the fire paramedics came immediately, no charge. They took her vitals and determined that an ambulance was needed, had ambulance charges. It took 4 people to lift her off the floor, so the extra help was a plus to everyone concerned. I felt so relieved to have all the expert help given. Mom is doing great now, too.
What a great service! In California, no such 311 option--it's either 911 or DIY, which is ridiculous! All states everywhere need to massively modernize and create services geared toward the new reality--that folks are living longer, yet need options short of the only existing options-- "old folks" homes or automatically being rushed to hospital for admittance (and I can't bear to think about the absurd, obscene expense incurred for either of them). What state are you in, Forgotten?
If you placed a chair near her & stablized it, can she move to a sitting position, then to a crawl position, then a knight's position (one bended knee) then pull up to the chair?
If not, your options are #1. more people: emergency services (unless strong willing neighbours or relatives). Or #2 lifting device: ELK is one type (a cushion that you slide underneath & inflate until seated position). Look good but $$$ & I really think it would be too awkward for just one assistant.
Falls prevention is always better! Good stable shoes, correct walking aide, remove trip hazards etc.
I have insurance, but copay is $ 225.00. no insurance? you are responsible for bill
I have insurance also co-pay of $225.00 that I have to pay for something we did not need.
While you saw your wife's fall and know it was not very violent, the AL staff did not see the fall and have to consider your judgement about what many be a fall with enough violence to injury your wife may not be the best. Finding her sleeping or unconscious to their viewpoint was probably frightening. They were afraid she might have a more serious injury.
Sometimes we are just wrong. Past history of no injury falls can cause us to think the current fall is not a serious injury event too. In Sep 2018 my mother drug her left foot, lost her balance, fell hard to her knees and then went completely down in our living room. Mom did not "hit" any furniture on her way down; her only contact was with the floor itself. She sat up and braced herself with her hands and didn't seem to be in any pain but I could see bruising on both knees. I was able to lift Mom onto a low stool, but Mom complained about knee pain when she tried to assist. I wrapped her up in a blanket and called 911 for lift assist and evaluation; EMTs got Mom into a chair, checked vital stats for injuries and assured me Mom could not have any simple fractures or messed up her replacement knee joints because her vital signs indicated she just wasn't in enough pain. I accepted their evaluation and did not transport my mother to the ER. Instead, I got family help to settle her into her lift recliner, iced both knees, gave her anti-inflammatories and watched closely. In a week, the left knee swelling and bruising was obliviously healing well, Mom was placing weight on the knee without any pain but the right knee wasn't much better. A few weeks later, the left knee was completely healed and the bruising had left the right knee but Mom still could not place weight on it so off we went to the doctor. X-rays showed a fracture of the femur just above the knee replacement. In hindsight, I wish Mom had been transported. In this case, it didn't impact her treatment choices or recovery but what if the delay would have made a difference? My mother had a decades long history of falls in the house and yard with no serious injuries beyond bruising and I expected that pattern to continue unless she hit something like the bathtub on the way down. I had not accepted Mom was older and just plain more likely to be injured from _any_ fall, even a simple one.
If you placed a chair near her & stablized it, can she move to a sitting position, then to a crawl position, then a knight's position (one bended knee) then pull up to the chair?
If not, your options are #1. more people: emergency services (unless strong willing neighbours or relatives). Or #2 lifting device: ELK is one type (a cushion that you slide underneath & inflate until seated position). Look good but $$$ & I really think it would be too awkward for just one assistant.
Falls prevention is always better! Good stable shoes, correct walking aide, remove trip hazards etc.
Is it the same reason for the falls every time?