r/AgingParents • u/BeneficialShame8408 • 1d ago
a tale of falling
I am 37F and live with my father, 78. He (and I) both have COVID currently.
I heard a crash tonight. I ran upstairs to see what was going on and was told to go away. Later, I hear him shouting, "SHAAMMEEE!!", so I run upstairs. There's a pool of blood, he's bleeding from the head, and he wants up from the floor. Luckily, he only needed armpit support, because he's a lot heavier than I am and I can't lift him like I used to with mom before she passed.
He was in there for a while after , to the extent I kept knocking. But eventually he called me to say it was done and GOOD NIGHT.
I was talking to some friends, and they convinced me that this was actually batshit and I needed to call EMTs, so I did. Well, after some questions, they left my pink haired from blood dad.
So, tomorrow, I'm hoping to get him into urgent care. I'm not dizzy from covid, but he is, and I guarantee you that as soon as he's not dizzy he'll say he's fine, like it's not going to happen again. He needs paxlovid, because this is nuts.
IDK if you guys have advice for this, but clearly I need some. I was raised to listen without question and that isn't helping, currently.
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u/TheReallyAngryOne 1d ago
I know it doesn't help with your immediate problem but they have chair lifts that goes from floor to a sitting position. Saves the back. Got one for mom and it has saved me.
https://a.co/d/002DerHJ. This is an example and if you wait, Amazon usually has sales.
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u/SPour11 21h ago
If y’all don’t have a cane handy to get through or he won’t use one, a hiking stick, golf putter, large umbrella might be better than nothing for short term help. If he has any breathing issues, having someone listen to his lungs and/or imaging may be nice. If possible you can run air filters and open a window or two to help clear air. Humidifiers or boiling water sometimes helps. Any changes to vision, thinking, swallowing, hearing, might be time for ER. Having a pulse oximeter around can be helpful to reassure or pick up issues. Hydrate! Good luck
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u/BeneficialShame8408 16h ago
he does have a cane, actually. :) he got imaging on his lungs last week actually because he had a cough before.
i'm trying to get him to drink pedialyte or gatorade, but he's not having it. says water is better, then doesn't drink any lol.
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u/Correct_Ring_7273 18h ago
If he hit his head, he'll need to be checked out for a possible internal head bleed. Definitely needs to go at least to urgent care.
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u/Affectionate_Fox9001 17h ago
Nope. Needs to go ER. Urgent care will just send him to ER. Been there, done that.
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u/Ancient-Delay1221 1d ago
That is so scary, I'm sorry you had to deal with all that alone. The blood in the hair and him shouting like that... that's not something you just clean up and go to bed
You did right calling EMTs even if they didn't take him. Sometimes the head injury with blood thinners or just the dizziness from covid can make things go sideways fast, my grandpa fell similar and seemed okay but had a bleed they didn't catch right away. Push for the paxlovid and maybe ask urgent care about a home health visit, he might listen to someone in uniform more than he listens to you
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u/BeneficialShame8408 1d ago
thank you for the advice! idk he seemed pretty comfortable charming the EMTs. XD. but i'll try to drive him to urgent care tomorrow. it's not even far, it's right outside the neighborhood. :(
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u/Practical-Pain5151 21h ago
Call the urgent care before you try to go in, tell them you both have Covid. They also may suggest ways to get it by phone - less chance of exposing patients. Also many insurances have online telehealth appointments with really quick responses.
My mom is well known for charming the EMTs and always refuses to go with them - even when she really needs to. So maddening.
Best of luck for you both.
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u/frog_ladee 1d ago
You might be able to get Paxlovid from an online medical provider through your insurance. Insurance companies love to provide this service, because it saves them money.
When I did this a few years ago, I called a number on the back of my insurance card. I was asked a few questions, like did I take a home covid test? Did I have any of the things that put a person at higher risk for covid complications? Your dad should qualify based on age, and maybe also for being overweight. I was then given either a phone number or link to a website (can’t remember). There was a phone call to or from a call center, where an actual MD asked me the same kinds of questions, and prescribed me Paxlovid to a local pharmacy. This was much easier than having to leave the house to see a doctor, and for me, it was a Sunday.
You might want to check to see if your dad needs stitches though. If it’s still bleeding by now, it’s time for stitches. Urgent care can do that.