As soon as you can, call the fire department's non-emergency phone number and ask if they provide lift assist. My husband fell several times and they always came out (minimum of two) with such a loving attitude. These guys are special angels ---they never chastised me for calling so much. I'm in California.
I live in NC, and had to call 911 many, many times for them to come get my husband off the floor, when he fell. They were always very kind, and never once was I charged for their service. They told me that they do it as a service to the community, and will only charge if the patient has to transported to the hospital.
So please, if your husband is a fall risk like mine was, don't hesitate to call them.
I also live in NC (Currituck), and was never charged. Mama fell six times while she lived with me, and she always refused transport. Our EMTs are fantastic people, and our county looks after its elderly. 😊
Rian, please call your local providers and ask them how they deal with this situation.
I live in the county and I have to pay for these services by annual contract. Yet, 10 miles down the road people are covered by city services. To many variables to know what your situation is.
My husband had chest pain...I had a swollen right ankle and couldn’t drive. We called 911. Five people responded..fire and ems. No charge...ekg, vitals etc were done. No need to transport. I was so glad I called. He was able to do Telemed visit with his cardio. next day. Doc had his copy of the ekg I had scanned over. Such a relief in time of COVID not to have to go to ER or hospital. Very fast and efficient. A wonderful service.
I called for a "Lift Assist" 9 times and was never charged when they came. I was asked to sign a release stating that I did not want him transported to the hospital. IF the person has visible injuries I think there might be a more intense discussion about transport but they can not force you to go to the hospital. There are some areas where there might be a charge, it depends on the village, town and the contract. I suggest you contact your local Emergency Service and ask. Also IF there is a possibility that the person can not get to the door to open it for First Responders that you ask if the village has a Lock Box that the Paramedics would have access to. Whenever I called I would, while I was on the phone, lock up the dogs, put a note on the door that the door was unlocked and they should just enter. I would also turn on the Porch Light so the house would stand out a bit more. I would then go stay with my Husband until the paramedics arrived. They would call out and I would answer as to where we were in the house. Again I was never charged.
In our community, fire fighters and paramedics are City employees. There is no charge for 9-1-1 if you live in the city.
Our fire fighters will happily change out the batteries in smoke alarms, schedule permitting! No charge, and they install smoke alarms for seniors, no charge.
They are City employees and gladly, regularly help citizens who have fallen, and often take in the weird “cat in a tree,” and other critter calls. However they will not do a job that competes with the local private sector.
"In the US and Canada, when you call 911 for an emergency you will usually not get charged just for calling. Police and firefighter services are usually paid for by taxes and do not bill you for responding. However, in many areas, you will get a bill for ambulance transport services."
As you can see it all depends on the Municipality you live in. In my municipality, we pay for our Fire Dept with our tax dollars. The Fireman are volunteers but the EMTs are paid. So, we don't pay for an assist. We don't pay for ambulance service either. They are able to bill Medicare and insurances. If not paid, they are not allowed to bill a township resident.
Depends on where you live, but you should assume there will be a charge for all 911 calls.
If a person is at risk for falls, other measures need to be taken: walker, rails in hallways, no scatter rugs, nonslip shoes... If the person tends to fall a lot and can not get himself or herself up, then they probably should not life alone.
Most of these people do not live alone but the person they live with most times cannot get them up. There is a skill to getting someone up off the floor safely, especially if they are dead weight. It is not unrealistic to expect our cities to care for their elder.
If the person pays an annual membership fee to be part of ambulance services in case of emergency, there is NO cost. If they do not have a membership, they will be obligated to pay whatever the ambulance wishes to charge - ER or not. I pay $35 a year and if I need 911 I am l00% covered and have never received a bill.
So please, if your husband is a fall risk like mine was, don't hesitate to call them.
I live in the county and I have to pay for these services by annual contract. Yet, 10 miles down the road people are covered by city services. To many variables to know what your situation is.
I was asked to sign a release stating that I did not want him transported to the hospital.
IF the person has visible injuries I think there might be a more intense discussion about transport but they can not force you to go to the hospital.
There are some areas where there might be a charge, it depends on the village, town and the contract. I suggest you contact your local Emergency Service and ask.
Also IF there is a possibility that the person can not get to the door to open it for First Responders that you ask if the village has a Lock Box that the Paramedics would have access to.
Whenever I called I would, while I was on the phone, lock up the dogs, put a note on the door that the door was unlocked and they should just enter. I would also turn on the Porch Light so the house would stand out a bit more. I would then go stay with my Husband until the paramedics arrived. They would call out and I would answer as to where we were in the house.
Again I was never charged.
Our fire fighters will happily change out the batteries in smoke alarms, schedule permitting! No charge, and they install smoke alarms for seniors, no charge.
They are City employees and gladly, regularly help citizens who have fallen, and often take in the weird “cat in a tree,” and other critter calls. However they will not do a job that competes with the local private sector.
Call and find out!
Source: https://firefighterinsider.com/does-911-cost-money-the-price-of-emergency-calls/#:~:text=In%20the%20US%20and%20Canada%2C%20when%20you%20call%20911%20for,bill%20for%20ambulance%20transport%20services.
In my municipality, we pay for our Fire Dept with our tax dollars. The Fireman are volunteers but the EMTs are paid. So, we don't pay for an assist. We don't pay for ambulance service either. They are able to bill Medicare and insurances. If not paid, they are not allowed to bill a township resident.
If a person is at risk for falls, other measures need to be taken: walker, rails in hallways, no scatter rugs, nonslip shoes... If the person tends to fall a lot and can not get himself or herself up, then they probably should not life alone.
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