So my MIL called 911 at 5am this morning

[BelleWDW]

She first called her daughter-who lives 2 blocks away-SIL immediately called her back-but got a busy signal. Mil called her back to say nevermind to SIL-because 911 was coming to ........

HELP HER GET OFF THE TOILET!!!!!

She claims she was sitting there 2hours.
Why couldnt't she wait for her Daughter????

She has the Alert thing around her neck-that she refuses to use!!!

When you call 911-the SHERRIFF has to come-they told her again today-DONT CALL 911-use your Alert button



She has NEVER had issues with getting off the toilet before

Clarification--if she uses the Medic Alert button-they call Sis first-then her husband (they live in MIL's town-around the corner actually) then call My husband (her son) THEN they call the ambulance-and they would have lifted her up-no charge.

In their town when you call 911-the police have to get involved

For non-emergency issues-SIL& her DH want to step in and help-and not use ambulance=this is a primary function of the Medic Alert button-to call nearby relatives for NON-Emergency isssues

 

[MIGrandma]

If she can't get off the toilet by herself it's time she was moved to an assisted living apartment.

 

[BelleWDW]

That is something we are discussing=it will "kill" her-she has always insisted she wants to stay home

 

[Jennasis]

How'd she make a call from the toilet? Does she have a phone in there (we have them in my house next to both toilets).

 

[Goofycampers]

That is something we are discussing=it will "kill" her-she has always insisted she wants to stay home

Talk to her Dr. about ordering home physical therapy. They might be able to help keep her home longer.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

I am a social worker for the elderly. Has this been her one and only time that this has happened? has she seen her doctor lately? Has she had a change in medications? Maybe she needs some physical therapy.
My suggestion is that you might want to consider getting her a raised toilet seat if she doesn't already have one. They make them to fit right over the toilet. They have grab bars and are much easier to get up from the toilet. They are pretty inexpensive and can be found at a medical supply store, sometimes Walmart or even a building supply store may carry them. I know Home Depot used to carry them.
Since you have specified no other problems that she is having, it doesn't necessarily mean that she needs to go to an Assisted Living. Assisted Livings are very expensive and you can find many adaptions and services that can you find to help someone continue to live safely in their home. You might want to contact your local Council on Aging for further suggestions, questions, advice, etc.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

The compassion is heart-warming.
Really it is.

 

[nancys]

You can buy a raised toilet seat that sits on top of the commode; makes it much easier for elderly folks to navigate. Available for about $20 at Walmart or Target.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

The compassion is heart-warming.
Really it is.

No kidding.

 

[Magic Mom]

She first called her daughter-who lives 2 blocks away-SIL immediately called her back-but got a busy signal. Mil called her back to say nevermind to SIL-because 911 was coming to ........

HELP HER GET OFF THE TOILET!!!!!

She claims she was sitting there 2hours.
Why couldnt't she wait for her Daughter????

She has the Alert thing around her neck-that she refuses to use!!!

When you call 911-the SHERRIFF has to come-they told her again today-DONT CALL 911-use your Alert button



She has NEVER had issues with getting off the toilet before

Maybe she was really scared and really embarrassed. She might be afraid that if she bothers her family at 5AM they will ship her off to a home, and it's clear that terrifies her. Have some compassion for her.

 

[happygirl]

She must have been really scared, I feel for her. I think the the police were kind of rude to her.

 

[jellyd]

Hi,

I am a paramedic here in New York and we get called often to assist the elderly of the toilet. It can be a dangerous place with the elderly. If the strain too hard during a bowel movement then can induce dangerously low blood pressure due to something called a vagal response. I have been called too numerous cardiac arrests where we find the patient out in front of the toilet. Your MIL may have felt weak and dizzy and got scared. Give her break and consider a Medical Alert System for the next time.

Rick

 

[jellyd]

Sorry missed the part about her having a medic alert already!

Hi,

I am a paramedic here in New York and we get called often to assist the elderly of the toilet. It can be a dangerous place with the elderly. If the strain too hard during a bowel movement then can induce dangerously low blood pressure due to something called a vagal response. I have been called too numerous cardiac arrests where we find the patient out in front of the toilet. Your MIL may have felt weak and dizzy and got scared. Give her break and consider a Medical Alert System for the next time.

Rick

 

[OK!]

Ditto the advice re. the raised toilet seats. My great-aunt had a lot of mobility problems as she got older, especially getting up off of the couch, out of chairs, off the toilet, etc. My parents bought a raised toilet seat that they only used when she was over at the house and she never had a problem. It looks almost like a walker with a toilet seat attached; the walker part goes toward the back of the toilet. It made her life a lot easier (and a lot less embarrassing, as she no longer had to ask for help.)

 

[VillageMama]

I think it sounds like the OP is maybe frustrated with her m-i-l for issues like this that have happened before.

It appears that the m-i-l is making a number of bad decisions that effect everyone around her. She calls her daughter after needing help for two hours and then immediately gives up on her.

She has a medic alert necklace but allegedly refuses to use it. If even the police were frustrated, I think maybe we can read more into the OP's situation than she has shared.

Maybe it's mental troubles and the m-i-l needs extra help. But it is possible that she is also an annoying person. My sympathies to all involved.

(Granted, I'm projecting here. I have a close relative who refuses to take personal responsibility and prefers to play the helpless waif. As she ages, she will need some extra physical help, which is worthy of compassion. But that won't change the fact that she has always been something of a drama queen.)

 

[sparklynails23]

Maybe it's mental troubles and the m-i-l needs extra help. But it is possible that she is also an annoying person. My sympathies to all involved.

Yes, she probably just got stuck on the toilet to inconvenience people.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Does anyone else think it's ironic that a paramedic with the username "jellyd" replied to this thread?

Sorry that happened to your MIL. It must have been embarrassing for her. I like the suggestion of getting her a raised seat.

 

[golfgal]

It sounds like you need to start investigating some in home health care for her. Talk to her dr if you can and express your concerns. He can't discuss her case with you but he can listen to your concerns and address them at her appointment. He, hopefully, can get you pointed in the right direction. If not companies like LivHome are a great resource-- http://www.livhome.com/

Any chance she has a long term care insurance policy? Toileting and transferring issues would qualify her to be on claim.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Hi,

I am a paramedic here in New York and we get called often to assist the elderly of the toilet. It can be a dangerous place with the elderly. If the strain too hard during a bowel movement then can induce dangerously low blood pressure due to something called a vagal response. I have been called too numerous cardiac arrests where we find the patient out in front of the toilet. Your MIL may have felt weak and dizzy and got scared. Give her break and consider a Medical Alert System for the next time.

Rick

That's what I was going to say. She could have been having a heart attack.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Does anyone else think it's ironic that a paramedic with the username "jellyd" replied to this thread?

That wasn't lost on me either.