This week of May is National EMS Week. Learn more about this celebration and an initiative designed to help people learn how to react during a medical crisis.
Emergencies happen when we least expect them. Sometimes it’s a car accident on the way to work that results in an injury. Other times it might be a child who is hurt playing in the yard. For older adults, however, falls around the home are the leading cause of disability an
d one of the top reasons seniors end up in a hospital emergency room.
When the unexpected happens, most of us rely on 911 for help.
In Legacy Senior Living communities, first responders are called on to transport residents to local hospitals when emergency health problems arise. The quick response from Emergency Medical Services (EMS) combined with the support of our own experienced care team members helps residents receive the emergency medical intervention they need.
National EMS week kicks off on May 20th this year. It is a time to thank our first responders for all they do to keep our communities safe. It is also a time to raise awareness of how to react during a medical crisis.
The History of EMS Week
EMS Strong: Stronger Together is the theme for this year’s week-long celebration. National EMS Week is an effort coordinated by the American College of Emergency Physicians and the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians. EMS Week dates back to an initiative signed by President Gerald R. Ford. This week-long campaign focuses on education, awareness, and recruitment.
One area emergency physicians want people to pay special attention to is what everyday citizens can do to help someone in distress while they are waiting for first responders. The program is called Until Help Arrives.
What to Do Before Help Arrives
The Until Help Arrives program was created to encourage and empower the public to react calmly and methodically when they are in the midst of a life-threatening crisis.
The five-step program includes the following:
- Call 911
- Protect the injured from harm
- Stop bleeding
- Position people so they can breathe
- Provide comfort
Along these same lines is a public awareness effort to encourage people to learn how to calmly, safely, and efficiently perform CPR. Everyone from babysitters to family caregivers can benefit from learning how to perform this life-saving procedure.
Your local chapter of the American Red Cross is typically the best resource for locating a CPR workshop.
Visit a Legacy Community Today
If an older adult in your life is struggling to stay safe at home, the support of an assisted living community might be an ideal solution. The senior can receive the support they need to remain independent. Call the Legacy community nearest you to set up a time to visit and learn more.