Are You Ready for the FALL CALL? Take Your FALL CALL precautions!

Sooner or later, if your parent or loved one lives long enough, you're going to get the FALL CALL.
Trust me...  These calls never come during business hours, M-F.  I've had enough to last me a lifetime and not a one has come at a convenient time, not that anytime is a good time for your parent or loved one to FALL.  

In my world, I've learned that FALL CALL precautions are just as important as Gary England's TORNADO precautions are when you live in Oklahoma.  For those of you reading this who live in calm wind, gentle rain communities, Gary England is the "Elvis of Meteorology" in Oklahoma... He's saved lives, soothed "latch-key children", and kept the rest of us nervous wrecks.  We hide in closets, ditches, and under mattresses in bathtubs.  You do whatever it takes when the 2 mile wide EF5 is barreling down your street.  We hug the toilet if we have to...

Back to the FALL CALL precautions.  Here's some basic advice.

1. Make a list of all of your loved ones medications, dosages, etc. (Update it often!) 
2. Make a list of all of their prior surgeries and dates 
3. Make a list of all of their medication allergies  
4. Make copies of their Medicare and Insurance cards
5. Make a list of their primary care physicians complete with contact information
6. Photograph every list on your Smart Phone!
7. Keep your phone fully charged! 

Surely you have a Smart Phone...  Good God I hate that term...   Humans are supposed to be smart, not phones...   Even I have one and know how to use the camera and I'm the uber technophobe.. Should you forget to bring the lists with you to the hospital, you will have them on your phone for the obnoxious ER person who demands this information at 3 am before your loved one can receive treatment.

If your parent or loved one lives with you and you hear them say, "I've Fallen And Can't Get Up". Don't risk bodily harm and try to lift them up yourself.  Call the fire department.  They are wonderful and will come to your aid.  Some times this is all it takes.  If this is all it takes for you and your loved one, go buy a lottery ticket!  It's your lucky day!

If this is not the case and your loved one has obviously fractured something, 911 is your best friend. It's likely that your Fireman Friend has already called them and the ambulance is on its way or already there..  Too bad our dead ass government doesn't work as efficiently and effectively as our Firemen do.  You can and should request a preferred hospital if you have the opportunity.  Hopefully you'll be able to direct them to your hospital of choice.  If not, you'll have to take what you get and make the best of it..  After all, you'll have your SMART ASS PHONE with photos of all of your loved one's critical information.    Sorry about the ASS reference..  I get a little worked up when I relive these things.  Please forgive me.

This post has a FALL CALL part two...  Sorry, but there's more you need to know and I know you're sick of this already...  This information is not sexy or fun...

I've been told to break this kind of thing up into two posts...  Go to the bathroom. Get a snack.  Come back for part two of FALL CALL.   Don't worry.  It's short.