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Kawartha Lakes – During the early hours of a Monday morning, Kawartha Lakes Paramedics Service responded to a call from an elderly couple in need. The couple, who are both over the age of 100 and have been together for more than 70 years, had experienced a fall. When Kawartha Lakes Paramedics arrived, they found that no one had been hurt; only that one of the seniors needed assistance getting back into bed. The Paramedics were even happier to find out that this couple had prepared for an emergency medical situation with the municipality’s magnetic Patient Medical Card.
“We wanted to share this story because it’s so important that residents prepare their homes for a medical emergency,” shared Autumn Campbell, Superintendent of Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Service. “This couple had done everything right, so our Paramedics were able to quickly and easily help the seniors.”
When Paramedics arrived at the home, they were able to gain quick access into the house through a lock box which contained a key. The lock box code had been provided by the couple’s emergency alarm company to the Central Ambulance Communications Centre. As the couple wears their emergency alarm all day, this was an easy action that allowed the Paramedics to easily gain access to the home and the couple.
Once inside the home, the Paramedics were able to gather details about the health and needs of the couple through a magnetic Patient Medical Card attached to their refrigerator door.
“The couple’s organization took away any of the guesswork,” added Campbell. “Patient demographics, medical history, current medications and allergies were all easy to identify. This meant that our Paramedics were able to start treating the senior as soon as possible.”
The Community Paramedic Program, run by Campbell, has worked with Kawartha Lakes residents to develop and incorporate feedback from current users to improve the design and usefulness of the magnetic Patient Medical Card.
Residents are encouraged to pick up a magnetic Patient Medical Card by visiting the Kawartha Lakes Paramedics Headquarters at 4 Victoria Avenue North, Lindsay or by calling 705-878-1284. To learn more about the Ambulance and Paramedic Service in Kawartha Lakes, visit the municipal website.
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