Dear Queenie,
My elderly parents still live in their own home. They are not as strong as they used to be and as they are getting older there are also certain medical issues to consider, but they refuse ever to ask for help when they need it.
They won’t even call me, let alone an ambulance, if one of them falls down, for example, even though it may not be simply a fall but maybe a heart attack or a stroke or the person broke a bone when they fell or something like that.
Queenie, how can I get them to call for help when they need it?—Worried son
Dear Worried son,
If your parents are accustomed to taking care of themselves they probably are reluctant to give up their independence.
St. Rose Hospital or the Women’s Desk should be able to put you in touch with the White and Yellow Cross Foundation and whatever other relevant services for the elderly, such as the visiting nurse, that could help you out with this problem.
Especially the visiting nurse service might be a good idea, as the nurse could check up on your parents every day and once they go to know the person(s) involved your parents might be less reluctant to call on them for help.
