“Medical Alert system” save a life in Skokie
Mrs A. was an elderly lady who lived alone in her home in Skokie, IL. Sprightly and energetic for her advanced years, she ran her affairs and managed her house with relative aplomb.
Nevertheless, her children kept a close eye on her. Without fail they called her at an appointed time every day of the week (except for Shabbos, during which electronic communication is prohibited, except under immediately life-threatening circumstances), just to make sure that she was okay. And, acting upon the advice and recommendation of Rabbi Aron Wolf from the Chicago Mitzvah Campaign, they implored Mrs A. to wear a Lifeline bracelet in order to be protected in case of an emergency of absolute urgency.
Mrs. A’s natural reaction was to resist her children’s appeal. After all, she was just fine taking care of herself, and anyway, didn’t her children call her on the phone every day? If anything happened to her, G-d forbid, wouldn’t it be safe to assume that her non-response to the daily phone call would alert them to her position, and help would be obtained in plenty of time?
Despite their mother’s protestations, Mrs. A’s children, with invaluable assistance from Rabbi Wolf, prevailed upon her and persuaded her to wear a Lifeline bracelet. And so it was that Rabbi Wolf spent one fine Sunday morning installing the system in Mrs. A’s home and instructing her in how to use it. She still didn’t feel completely convinced of its necessity, but agreed to wear the bracelet, if only to set her children’s minds at ease.
Less than a week later, Mrs. A sustained a fall while alone in her home early on Saturday morning. The impact of the fall broke her hip and she lay in agony immobile on the floor, dazed and helpless. Since her children would not be calling her that day (as it was Shabbos), no one would have learned of her plight until the next daily phone call more than twenty-four hours later on Sunday morning.
But by Divine Providence Mrs. A was forearmed, and pressed the button on her Lifeline bracelet while lying prone on the floor. Literally within seconds, the operator's voice from the Lifeline monitoring service broadcast to inquire after Mrs. A's well-being. After assessing the situation the operator assured Mrs A. that help would be arriving shortly. The emergency personnel immediately arrived and she was transported to the nearest emergency room. The doctors discovered that she had indeed fractured her hip and would benefit from immediate surgery. One of her children on the emergency list was contacted and came to her bedside in the hospital, but by the time the rest of the family learned of her misadventures she was already a significant way into recovery! There is no doubt that this emergency alert system prevented unnecessarily prolonged agony and suffering and helped Mrs. A. receive medical assistance in a matter of minutes instead of hours!
If you know any senior citizen living alone that can benefit from this “medical alert system”, please refer them to the Chicago Mitzvah Campaign and have them call our toll free number (866) MY-RABBI. We would make every effort in helping them obtain this vital “life-safer device” for a minimal fee, or if necessary, even at no charge to them.
Your Life May Depend Upon It
RM had struggled for some time with limited mobility due to a lame foot. When his wife passed away he was left living by himself, and the resultant loneliness in his life presented him with many new challenges. In view of these new circumstances, Rabbi Aron Wolf of the CMC spoke to RM about being prepared for the possibility of a future emergency. He introduced RM to the idea of wearing a portable Lifeline emergency bracelet.
Although RM balked at first at the proposition of wearing an emergency bracelet, he was impressed by Rabbi Wolf’s genuine concern for his welfare, and eventually realized that overcoming his pride and adjusting to the reality of his circumstances was the smart approach. He gratefully accepted Rabbi Wolf’s assistance in setting up the system, and tutorials in its proper usage.
Several months later, RM was sitting at his kitchen table one evening. He had finished his dinner and was about to wind up his affairs for the day. To his dismay however, he found that he was physically unable to rise from his chair. Rooted to his place and perspiring heavily, his body began to sway and shake involuntarily.
RM’s situation was desperate. He was stuck in his place, suffering tremendous pain and absolutely incapable of reaching a telephone to call for help. But before his anxiety and alarm could turn to full-blown panic RM remembered the Lifeline bracelet on his wrist and, with trembling fingers, pushed the button. The life-saving device put him into instant contact with the Lifeline switchboard workers, who gave him immediate instructions and speedily dispatched paramedics to his home.
The paramedics gave RM emergency medical attention and brought him to the hospital, where he spent days recovering from the ordeal. His doctor in the hospital informed him that he had suffered a heart aneurism, and would not have lived more than another hour or two had he not been brought to the hospital as quickly as he was.
Thank G-d, it is now six years later, and RM remains alive and well, eternally grateful for the Lifeline emergency system that without any doubt saved his life. He now urges as many people as possible to take advantage of this vital service, especially the elderly and the infirm – your life may depend upon it!
If you know any senior citizen living alone that can benefit from this “medical alert system”, please refer them to the Chicago Mitzvah Campaign and have them call our toll free number (866) MY-RABBI. We would make every effort in helping them obtain this vital “life-safer device” for a minimal fee, or if necessary, even at no charge to them.
