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A paramedic is urging families to act quickly when an elderly person develops serious symptoms or sudden changes in their condition, warning that delaying medical attention can have life-threatening consequences.
Speaking during an Interior Ministry radio interview, emergency medicine specialist at the National Ambulance Centre Abdulrahman Al Dossari said families should also help older relatives manage their medication carefully.
Some of the most common emergencies among older people include falls, shortness of breath, chest pain, heart problems, fluctuations in blood sugar and blood pressure, strokes and loss of consciousness.
He warned that what may appear to be a minor incident can quickly become serious, particularly when an elderly person suffers a fall.
“A fall that might be minor for a healthy younger person can cause serious injuries or fractures in the elderly,” he said. “Therefore, it is crucial not to underestimate any such incident, especially if it is accompanied by pain, a head injury, or an altered level of consciousness.
“In these situations, it is best to leave the person where they are in a safe, comfortable position and await instructions from paramedics.”
The importance of careful medication management was highlighted by a case Mr Al Dossari encountered involving an elderly patient who suffered severe hypoglycaemia after accidentally taking a second dose of insulin, having forgotten that he had already taken the first.
He urged families to use medication organisers to ensure medicines are taken at the correct time and to prevent confusion.
When an emergency does occur, Mr Al Dossari stressed that the actions taken in the first few minutes make a significant difference, urging families to remain calm, ensure the area is safe and assess the person’s condition while seeking emergency assistance.
“If a person is experiencing low blood sugar and is conscious and able to swallow, they can be given a quick source of sugar while their condition is monitored,” he said. “However, if they are unconscious or unable to swallow, nothing should be given by mouth and an ambulance should be called immediately.”
Mr Al Dossari said the National Ambulance Centre gives significant attention to emergency calls involving elderly people, with priority based on the severity and classification of each case, as well as the patient’s location, whether at home or in an elderly care facility.
He added that telephone guidance can also play an important role during the critical period before an ambulance arrives, allowing families to receive instructions from specialised staff on how to respond to situations including loss of consciousness, respiratory arrest, bleeding and other emergencies.
Mr Al Dossari urged families not to wait for an elderly person’s condition to deteriorate before seeking help, particularly when there is a sudden or unexplained change in their health.
“Call for an ambulance immediately, as time is a critical factor in saving the patient’s life,” he said.
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