The New Castle County Police Senior Roll Call Lifeline came to the aid of an 87-year-old woman and a 90-year-old man who were in medical distress in separate incidents within the last week.
Senior Roll Call conducts daily phone calls to those enrolled in the program to ensure they are doing well and do not require emergency assistance.
“We can never be too cautious when it comes to our precious senior citizens,” County Executive Tom Gordon said. “We helped two people, who were vulnerable, and quickly provided the assistance they needed.”
On Wednesday, July 23, an 87-year-old woman from Wilmington failed to answer the telephone twice, said Kimberly A. Beckman, Senior Roll Call Lifeline Coordinator. However, she answered the phone on the third call and said she had fallen and felt light-headed. Senior Roll Call’s Monitor had an ambulance dispatched immediately and the woman was treated in her home by paramedics.
The elderly woman told paramedics the oxygen level was not properly adjusted on her machine, which caused her to be light-headed, Beckman said.
On Thursday, July 24, a 90-year-old man from Wilmington called out, “Help me! Help me!” when he finally answered the telephone after several attempts of trying to reach him, Beckman said. Senior Roll Call’s Volunteer Monitor had first responders dispatched immediately.
The man had fallen and hurt his knee. Police responded to the 90-year-old’s home, as did the man’s brother. He was not transported to the hospital at that time. Later, his daughter took him to the emergency room for treatment as his knee swelled.
County Executive Gordon, a former Chief of Police, started the Senior Roll Call Lifeline in the mid-1990s to ensure the welfare of elderly residents, many of which who live alone. Senior Roll Call has helped many individuals who have suffered a debilitating injury or ailment leaving them unable to help themselves.
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