posted on May 17, 2001 12:04:12 PM new
Sorry about this being so long - but I'm really worried!
What happened this morning to me is still worrying me, I'm not sure I did something properly and was wondering if anyone would have done things differently or not.
I was driving home and noticed a person about a quarter mile up the road in the middle of my lane. Not unusual people use this road to walk all the time. As I got closer I noticed she bent over, so I figured well she picked some flowers and dropped them. After I passed something made me look in my rearview mirror (no idea why I did that) and noticed her somewhat off balance and I immediately stopped my van. As I was walking towards her to make sure she was alright she fell down! I immediately ran to her and some other people stopped their vehicles, luckily one of them was her neighbor and said he would go get her roommate.
Another person stopped because I was having trouble holding her up, she was dizzy, but very conscious of her surroundings, he helped me put her in my van and I drove her home.
When we got there a lady helped me get her out of the car and then basically shoved me out of the way and walked her into the house. I think I remember her saying thanx or something, but that's not the point of this. I'm really worried about that lady, she must have been in her mid 70's to lower 80's and I fear she may have had a stroke or something. The lady that helped her out of my van basically was smug the whole time and didn't really seem all that concerned about it. There wasn't anything I could do at that point, but get in my van and come home.
Maybe it's happened before to her before and that why the seemingly careless attitude, but for some reason I'm really bothered by the whole episode. Do you think I'm overreacting?
posted on May 17, 2001 12:08:09 PM new
If it were me - I would also let the local fire department/emt group know what had happened. They will do a drive over and make sure she is okay.
You were being human - not too many like you left - others would have left her - she may have been hit by a car.
posted on May 17, 2001 12:09:12 PM new
Report the incident to your local police or social services/ health authorities....the woman probably has Alzeimers and got out of the house. But Senior abuse is more widespread than thought--and if you feel there might be something to be concerned about --by all means report it.
posted on May 17, 2001 12:15:36 PM new
You can also call your local police and relate the incident and see if they would do a "welfare" check on this lady, especially since she is elderly. Usually they just go the house and speak to the person to see that they are indeed alright. They could then call you back and let you know she's ok, or whatever. That would give you some peace of mind. I think you were very kind and it's unfortunate that a simple "thank-you" wasn't given no matter what the circumstances.
posted on May 17, 2001 12:22:18 PM new
Well I just got off the phone with my local Sherrif's department. They are going to go do a check, so I do feel much better. Next time I'm in that area, I'll defintely stop by just to make a "I was worried" check! Thanx for the suggestions, they were right on the nose!
posted on May 17, 2001 04:12:26 PM new
While I certainly do appreciate all the praise and compliments (and a bit embarassed by it all), I just hope she's okay. I think it's because I was sooooooooo close to my grandmother and I miss you so much that this really hit home with me. Whatever the reason, I'm so glad I was there to help her out!
posted on May 17, 2001 07:49:58 PM new
flynn, you are an A # 1 person!
I wish more people were like you.
I too was close to my grandmother and miss
her terribly.
Do let us know what you hear back from all
of this!
posted on May 18, 2001 07:46:53 AM new
I couldn't take it anymore today so I went to her house and her daughter was there and explained that her care taker was supposed to be watching her and went downstairs to do some ironing. From what I gather that lady is no longer her caretaker! Good! Anyway, they said that she's been having these problems and having all kinds of tests done and the doctor's don't know what the problem is, they seemed very frustrated, and I felt so bad for them, but I was really glad to know that here in the short term that everything was okay and that it wasn't a "true" episode of abuse, just neglect really!
