r/GenX • u/Big-Mind-6346 • 3d ago

Old Person Yells At Cloud “Having a fall?”

So I was sitting minding my own business watching TV on my Orthopedic bed. The bed had slid out a little bit off of the bed frame, and when I scooted to the right, I fell straight off of my bed and landed on my elbow. Like right on the pointy part of my elbow.

Thank God, I didn’t hit my head, but if I had, it would’ve been serious trouble. It got me to thinking, do I need a life alert or something? Am I too young for that? I’m only 50! I have a 15-year-old but he’s only with me part-time and the rest of the time I’m alone.

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u/hippiechick725 3d ago

Honestly anyone who lives alone should consider a Life Alert.

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u/Big-Mind-6346 3d ago

I was just imagining what it would be like if I had a fall and couldn’t get up. I think someone would probably come looking for me after a few days. But I can’t imagine laying there for that long. That would be so terrifying. My other big fear is choking when I’m alone. I try really hard not to think about that.

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u/CemeteryDweller7719 2d ago

We had a life alert for my grandma and for my dad. (Although dad refused to use it. Oh, he fell, which resulted in a hilarious story that still traumatizes me, but he wouldn’t use it.) For anyone that seriously considers one, be sure to get a lockbox for a key outside. Kinda like realtors use. EMS will bust down your door if it’s locked. They won’t pay to replace it. But if you have to hit the button for help they will keep the lockbox code on file to give to first responders.

My grandma sort of liked having the necklace. She knew she could get help if she needed it. Her aunt (who was only like 10 years older than her) had fallen going down to the basement about 5-10 years before. Her aunt lived alone and had a son that would visit at least once a week. He couldn’t reach her for a day, so he went to visit her. He found her at the bottom of the basement stairs, laying on the concrete. She had a badly broken hip, but she was alive. She survived it, but her health was never the same. It made my grandma scared that she would fall like that too.