Senior Care Tips: Prompt Response to a Vehicle Accident
January 12, 2016
Senior Care in Aptos CA
Being involved in a vehicle accident is something that you never want to think about, but like other frightening and potentially dangerous issues of life, it is it important to be prepared for the potential for such an incident so that you know how to react should you encounter such a situation. This is especially important when you are on a senior care journey with your elderly loved ones because you must not only think about yourself, but also how you will take care of your seniors throughout the situation.
Use these tips, and share them with your elderly loved ones' senor health care services provider, to prepare you for prompt, confident response if you are involved in a vehicle accident:
• Get to a safe location. If the accident was minor and you are able to move your vehicle, move to a safe location. Be careful not to get too far away from where the accident occurred or it may seem like you are leaving the scene. If possible, this location should be somewhere out of the flow of traffic and that is well-lit.
• Turn off your vehicle. As soon as you can, turn off your vehicle. You do not want the engine running for any longer than necessary in any situation, but especially if there is any body damage to either vehicle because of the potential for fire.
• Check everyone's condition. Take a moment to get yourself calm and then check the condition of every person in your vehicle. Make sure that everyone is conscious and check for any obvious signs of injury such as bleeding or broken glass. Instruct anyone who is too injured to get out of the car not to move. Remove their seatbelt if possible.
• Get out of the vehicle. Check to make sure that it is safe, and then get out of the vehicle. If there is any damage to your vehicle, you will want to be away from it in the event of fire or other emergency, and you are less likely to get hit by another vehicle if you are not inside your vehicle. Help your elderly adult get out of the vehicle and in a secure location at a safe distance.
• Call attention to yourself. If the accident occurred at night or in bad weather, use your emergency flares to call attention to your vehicle so that other motorists can see you and the authorities can find you easily.
• Call the authorities. It is very important to call the police even in the event of a minor accident. You can describe the incident and the damage to the dispatcher, and she will help you determine if there is need for a police officer at the scene. This protects you and gets you the assistance you may need if the situation is worse than you originally anticipated.
• Keep them calm. Once you have the situation under control, focus on keeping your parents calm. If they have minor injuries such as cuts or scrapes, use your vehicle emergency kit to treat them. Encourage them to use the entertainment bag that you keep with you to keep them distracted with items such as books or crossword puzzles if you are in a location that is safe enough for these activities.
• Monitor your loved ones. In the hours and days following the accident, carefully monitor your parents' health and behavior so that you can detect any lingering effects that may need medical attention. Also be aware of any cognitive or emotional reactions that may require attention so that they are not afraid to get in the vehicle next time.
If you or an aging loved one are looking for senior care services in Aptos, CA, please call Familiar Surroundings Home Care. Call today!
Santa Clara County: (408) 600-2760
San Mateo County: (650) 458-0140
Santa Cruz County: (831) 325-0890
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Senior Care in Aptos CA
