Aw Jeez - Seniors taking care of seniors

chic

chic

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U.S.
My senior Mom, who's in her eighties, slipped and injured herself on the wet pavement outside her dentist's office today. They called the paramedics and an amulence came but Mom refused to go to the ER because it would cost $1,000 for the ambulence ride. She hit her head and has an ankle injury as well. I'm going to drive her to the ER tomorrow and we hope all will be well. Who's responisble for a slip and fall like this? Is it just Mom, the dentist's, or the city? It was public property where she fell. I don't know. I'm just tired and not really thinking.

Seniors taking care of seniors can be tough. Right?
 

If the sidewalk is damaged and caused the accident, it's the city's responsibility, but a good idea to phone the city and check. A merely wet sidewalk can't be blamed on either the city or the dentist, rain cannot be cleared off all the city sidewalks.

You'd better take your mom to Emergency right away to check her head injury -- it could be very serious. Hope she's ok.
 
I'm sorry Chic, but they always say not to go to sleep after a head trauma until it's been checked. It may be inconvenient but I would take her to ER now.
 
Chic - I agree... if she hit her head, the internal bleeding gets worse over the next few days. She should have a CT scan. Maybe even be admitted to hospital for observation. I hope and pray she is OK.
 
Instead of caring about your mother's condition, you're looking for someone to sue? That's what's wrong with this country. There is a point when one has to take responsibility for their own accidents.
 
LogicsHere said:
Instead of caring about your mother's condition, you're looking for someone to sue? That's what's wrong with this country. There is a point when one has to take responsibility for their own accidents.
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She did not say that she was looking for someone to sue. The city or the dentist may have insurance coverage to cover such a event. Checking with a lawyer could help determine that and has nothing to do with a law suit.
 
Wouldn't Medicare pick up the ambulance charge and the hospital charges.. It WAS an emergency. I know Medicare doesn't pay for just transportation but in the case of an emergency.. I'm pretty sure they do.
 
LogicsHere said:
Instead of caring about your mother's condition, you're looking for someone to sue? That's what's wrong with this country. There is a point when one has to take responsibility for their own accidents.
Click to expand...

As Lon already said, she never mentioned suing anyone, and it's wise to find out if there is insurance coverage that may cover this accident, just as in home owner's insurance, etc.
 
The main concern should be getting her examined immediately after the incident. As already pointed out, a head injury of any kind (even a slight bump) can be very serious.

Payment, insurance, possible litigation - all that should be secondary and dealt with later.
 
QuickSilver said:
Wouldn't Medicare pick up the ambulance charge and the hospital charges.. It WAS an emergency. I know Medicare doesn't pay for just transportation but in the case of an emergency.. I'm pretty sure they do.
Click to expand...

They didn't pay the last time she went to the ER, so she didn't want to risk another $1,000.00 trip. I can't blame her. I had to pay $1,000.00 for an ambulence ride when I sprained my ankle in the city and couldn't walk and had to call an ambulence.

Mom is well. We went to the ER this morning. Her head injury was nothing serious and that was very good news, but she did break a bone in her foot and will be wearing a boot plus using crutches for a while. She's to see an orthopedic specialist on Fri. who will probably prescribe PT.

After the hospital, we went out to lunch just to make the day kinda fun, and it was. Her spirits are very good.

Thanks for your concern everyone. I think taking a picture of that sidewalk may be a good thing. For myself, I'm fatigued. It's been a rough couple of weeks. I injured my own leg 2 weeks ago and am only now beginning to feel better. I had car trouble again the other day and had to be towed, and I've got a family wedding to attend this weekend but I feel like just skipping it, slipping into a warm bath to soak my weary bones, then curling up with a good book and at last falling asleep.

Peace - Chic
 
I've had a few ambulance rides including one from Lake Havasu AZ to Las Vegas heart hospital via helicopter for emergency heart surgery and Medicare and my supplemental covered it 100%.
 
Glad to hear your Mom is okay Chic, but even breaking a bone in the foot and having to use crutches is a pretty big thing. I wonder if a walker wouldn't be more stable for her? Hope you feel better soon with your leg injury, hugs.
 

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