Vancouver firefighter Nils Gorseth vividly recalls being called to rescue an elderly woman who suffered an anxiety attack, became disoriented and was trapped in her crawlspace. “I asked myself, why didn’t she have a Lifeline?”
“I think every firefighter has seen this kind of scenario. We see elderly people who have fallen in their homes, who might have broken a hip, had a stroke or heart attack and can’t reach a phone for help,” Nils says.
Inspired to improve situations like these, the Vancouver Firefighters’ Charitable Society is donating $10,000 to provide Philips Lifeline medical alert devices to select patients who have a financial or service need. Firefighters are also volunteering their time to install the equipment in patients’ homes. The Lifeline can be worn as a wristband or pendant and can also automatically detect a fall and trigger a call, 24/7.
VGH’s Short Term Assessment and Treatment Centre (STAT) – which supports people over 65 with physical, psychosocial, and mental health issues – is participating in the Lifeline pilot program. “Depending on their needs, patients may be provided with a Lifeline that can make a difference between a patient being able to return to their home or having to go into residential care,” says Lesley Nicholson, Patient Services Manager, STAT Centre, VGH.
“We are so grateful to the Vancouver Firefighters and Philips Lifeline for giving independence to those seniors.” – Lesley Nicholson
STAT Centre – A haven of services for the elderly
VGH’s Short Term Assessment and Treatment Centre (STAT) provides comprehensive medical care and support for frail elderly patients who suffer from complex medical and psychiatric conditions.
An interdisciplinary team of compassionate medical experts coordinate and provide services to improve quality of life and level of functioning for senior patients.
Services include:
• Day hospital and inpatient services.
• Direct access to health assessment from geriatric and psychiatric specialists.
• Transportation to and from the day hospital.[:zh]
Vancouver firefighter Nils Gorseth vividly recalls being called to rescue an elderly woman who suffered an anxiety attack, became disoriented and was trapped in her crawlspace. “I asked myself, why didn’t she have a Lifeline?”
“I think every firefighter has seen this kind of scenario. We see elderly people who have fallen in their homes, who might have broken a hip, had a stroke or heart attack and can’t reach a phone for help,” Nils says.
Inspired to improve situations like these, the Vancouver Firefighters’ Charitable Society is donating $10,000 to provide Philips Lifeline medical alert devices to select patients who have a financial or service need. Firefighters are also volunteering their time to install the equipment in patients’ homes. The Lifeline can be worn as a wristband or pendant and can also automatically detect a fall and trigger a call, 24/7.
VGH’s Short Term Assessment and Treatment Centre (STAT) – which supports people over 65 with physical, psychosocial, and mental health issues – is participating in the Lifeline pilot program. “Depending on their needs, patients may be provided with a Lifeline that can make a difference between a patient being able to return to their home or having to go into residential care,” says Lesley Nicholson, Patient Services Manager, STAT Centre, VGH.
“We are so grateful to the Vancouver Firefighters and Philips Lifeline for giving independence to those seniors.” – Lesley Nicholson
STAT Centre – A haven of services for the elderly
VGH’s Short Term Assessment and Treatment Centre (STAT) provides comprehensive medical care and support for frail elderly patients who suffer from complex medical and psychiatric conditions.
An interdisciplinary team of compassionate medical experts coordinate and provide services to improve quality of life and level of functioning for senior patients.
Services include:
• Day hospital and inpatient services
• Direct access to health assessment from geriatric and psychiatric specialists
• Transportation to and from the day hospital
Donate to the STAT Centre to help elderly patients receive the best care possible.
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