The Cy-Fair Fire Department has reported a 91% increase in calls from assisted senior living facilities since 2020, with the majority of calls being due to falls or residents feeling sick.

Causes of the Increase

According to district chief of EMS-clinical Ahmad Abodeeb, the majority of calls received by the Cy-Fair EMS system are due to falls or patients feeling sick with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and fevers.

Abodeeb stated that staff at senior living facilities are typically CPR and first aid trained, but certifications only require renewal every two years, and staff often forget or are not properly trained to utilize medical equipment in an emergency.

Proposed Solutions

Abodeeb suggested that staff at senior living facilities should frequently practice mock scenarios and practice CPR and first aid training more frequently to better handle emergencies and avoid calling paramedics.

Additionally, Abodeeb recommended that more telehealth options for senior living facilities would be beneficial to provide better care for assisted senior living residents.

Kalye Rodriguez, marketing director at Village on the Park Steeplechase, and Raquel Medina, executive director at Windermere Estates Senior Living, emphasized the importance of prioritizing health, safety, and combating isolation in senior care.

Both facilities have implemented measures such as continuous staff training, emergency protocols, and on-site medical services to ensure the well-being of their residents.

Original reporting: Community Impact — Houston — read the source article.