A 92-year-old Salamander Bay woman living on her own is lucky to be alive after a chance visit by a pharmacy assistant who was on her medicine delivery rounds last Wednesday evening.
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Evelyn Wilson, a member of the Wanda Beach Pharmacy team for 25 years, stumbled across the unconscious resident laying across the patio where she had fallen at her Salamander Haven home.
“It was a very frightening experience … to find her unconscious and alone,” Ms Wilson said.
“I was able to make her comfortable by grabbing some blankets from inside her home until the ambulance arrived. I wasn’t sure how long she had been there.”
Ms Wilson said she had arrived to deliver the 92-year-old woman’s medicine at just before 6pm.
“It was very nearly dark and I doubt if anyone would have found her before next morning,” she said. “It would have been difficult for a 92 year old to survive a cold night in that state.”
Ms Wilson said she later learned that the woman had suffered a stroke and at last report she was in care at Newcastle’s Calvary Mater Hospital.
The incident, which coincided with National Stroke Week (September 3-9), highlights the need for better vigilance of people living on their own and the importance of learning first aid, said Wanda Beach pharmacist Yong Cao.
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“Port Stephens has an ageing population with a growing influx of retirees and it is important that we all keep an eye of those living alone or in isolation,” Mr Cao said.
“Fortunately in this case our staff member arrived when she did and she was experienced enough to know what to do. This has probably saved the woman’s life.
“There are many retirees who live in this area and this is one reason our pharmacy provides a free home delivery service.
“But there are many more residents who are not very mobile or living alone who don’t get a delivery service.”
Ms Wilson said that since the incident she had received a message from the woman’s family.
“They were very grateful that I was able to raise the alarm and keep her comfortable,” she said, adding that people concerned about loved ones or neighbours living on their own could access a Red Cross service called Telecross.
The service is available for those at risk of an accident or illness that may go unnoticed.
An Australian Red Cross spokesperson said that Telecross was set up for people who are frail and aged and living on their own, or who may have a disability, are housebound or are recovering from an illness or accident.
“Telecross is also available to the carers of people who are eligible for the service,” the spokesperson said.
“When family and carers are away, or if someone has just returned home after a hospital stay, Telecross can also be used on a temporary basis.”
The service is always looking for volunteers to make calls each morning, 365 days a year.
“If the call is not answered, Red Cross will take action to make sure the person is okay,” the Red Cross spokesperson said.
“A phone call first thing in the morning can make a difference if an emergency response is required.”
This service is available through both the National Disability and Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and My Aged Care.
For more information about accessing Telecross as a client, call the Red Cross on 1300 885 698.
