Mary Heltke
For Mary Heltke, age 86, two unexpected trips to the hospital changed everything. Her concerned family knew something had to be done.
Daughter Mary Peters recalls, “We decided enough fooling around. We had to find something where she could easily call for help when necessary.”
Facing the inevitable
Fiercely independent all her life, Mary Heltke lives alone with her dog Mandy and two cats in a neat little house near the shore. But three years ago a medical crisis brought to light limitations of her advancing age.
“It was on her birthday in September,” recalls Ms. Peters, “I called her but didn’t get an answer. I figured she had walked over to her sisters and so didn’t think much of it. Later, at suppertime we stopped by to bring her over to her birthday party. When we walked in we found her in bed. She’d been there all day, unable to move.”
Mary was rushed to the emergency room where it was discovered a urinary tract infection (UTI) had temporarily disabled her. Following a brief recovery she was sent back home. Then, just a month later, it happened again - another UTI. This time Mary lay in bed for two days before a family friend realized she was in trouble.
During her second hospitalization, a social worker told Mary’s family that their hospital offered a program called Lifeline. Lifeline, she told them, provided around the clock access to emergency assistance – at the ‘push of a button.’ Not wanting to consider nursing home alternatives, Mary’s family thought it might be a good option.
Making the decision
The Philips Lifeline Medical Alert system consists of a Personal Help Button that can be worn around the neck or on the wrist and a CarePartner communication device – a speaker unit (or complete phone) that enables hands-free two way communication within the home.
“We called and they came immediately to install it,” says Ms. Peters. “The speaker has a great range on it. My Mom can be out on the front porch or downstairs in the basement and she can still hear it. We decided to choose the bracelet button because we thought it would be easier for her to locate it.”
It pays off
The decision to install Lifeline proved to be the right one.
One late night in December, Mary began experiencing dizzy spells. “I felt very weak and I just plopped right down on the floor there in the corner of my bedroom. I couldn’t get to the phone so I pressed the Lifeline button.”
“I could hear them talking to me,” she continues. “They said, ‘Mary, are you OK?’ and I said, ‘No, I can’t get up.’ Then they said, ‘We’ll send help.’” The Lifeline Personal Response Associate called Mary’s family and the decision was made to send an ambulance.
At the hospital, doctors confirmed that Mary’s medication had been depleting her sodium level. Adjustments were made and she quickly returned home.
Both Marys give a ‘thumbs up’
Mary Heltke and her daughter Mary Peters both feel a new sense of independence. Ms. Peters knows her Mom is happy, “My mother is a very independent person. She loves her house and it’s important for her to stay in her home. Lifeline helps her do that. It’s worth every penny.”
Mary agrees, “I’d tell anyone considering Lifeline that it’s a great idea. It really helped me. It brought emergency treatment when I needed it.”
Mary thinks it’s time to walk across the street and convince her 90 year sister to subscribe.
- August 2008
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Helpful tip
If you don’t understand your doctor’s instructions, ask for clarification before you leave.
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+ Patient Story :
Lifeline helps Mary Heltke
maintain her independence
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