Actual transcripts of medical alert emergencies tell the real story of what happens when someone presses their button.

Editor's Note: Some readers will find the graphic nature of these real life emergencies distressing. Proceed with caution.  Emergency dispatch transcripts are CAPITALIZED to minimize spelling errors and speed communication with first responders.

We often hear the line "I've fallen and I can't get up" as a punch line or a joke, bringing back memories of the old commercial with the lady fallen in her bathroom.  But falling is no joke, and can lead to serious consequences...including death.

Fortunately, not all the calls we receive for help are that dramatic or life threatening.  Many times someone just needs help getting up, something known as a "lift assist".  But make no mistake - if a senior presses the button looking for help they are worried and anxious and concerned.  This is not a joke - this is serious business and can impact their ability to continue to live independently in their own homes.

Below are some examples of actual medical alert button calls we receive from our clients.  If you or a loved one don't think this can happen to you....think again.  1 in 3 seniors will fall in their own home each year, and the chance of falling again are doubled after the first fall.  Anyone taking multiple medications is highly susceptible to falling or having balance issues. Chronic conditions like COPD, asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, seizures, and so on also increase the need for being able to get help quickly in an emergency.

Fallen, with injuries

• RECEIVED A MEDICAL PENDANT ALARM ACTIVATION FROM [NAME REDACTED] WHO STATED SHE HAD FALLEN IN THE NIGHT AND MAY HAVE BROKEN HER HIP, REQUESTED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. DISPATCHED MEDICAL RESPONSE AND NOTIFIED [NAME REDACTED] 

• RECEIVED AN EMERGENCY FALL DETECTED ALARM. WE SPOKE TO [NAME REDACTED] WHO FELL AND STATED [NAME REDACTED] WAS FEELING WEAK. WE THEN DISPATCHED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.

• SPOKE TO FEMALE INDICATED FALLEN AND CAN'T GET UP. UNABLE TO VERIFY IF INJURIES SUSTAINED. STS LOCATED IN BACK ROOM.

• SPOKE WITH FEMALE WHO HAS FALLEN. STATES SHE IS BLEEDING FROM NOSE. SPOKE WITH [NAME REDACTED] . STATES SHE IS IN THE DINING ROOM ON THE FLOOR. FEELS A LITTLE DIZZY DUE TO FALL. 

• SPOKE TO [NAME REDACTED]STS SHE FELL AND NEEDS HELP UP WAS YELLING AND IN PAIN. 

• SPOKE WITH FEMALE. STS [NAME REDACTED]  HAS FALLEN AND CANNOT GET UP. CONFIRMED BLEEDING FROM BIG TOE AND NAIL IS COMING OFF   HAD FALLEN. ALSO HER BIG TOE WAS BLEEDING AND THE NAIL WAS COMING OFF. AT HER REQUEST, WE DISPATCHED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

• SPOKE WITH [NAME REDACTED] . STS FELL IN THE BEDROOM AND NEEDS HELP. REQ DEA  SPOKE WITH [NAME REDACTED] STS ON SITE BUT CANNOT LIFT [NAME REDACTED] RECEIVED SPOKE WITH [NAME REDACTED] STS [NAME REDACTED]  WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH A HEAD INJURY. 

• RECEIVED A MEDICAL PENDANT ALARM. WE SPOKE WITH [NAME REDACTED]  WHO STATED THAT SHE FELL IN HER KITCHEN AND HURT HER HIP. WE DISPATCHED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO HER HOME ADDRESS AND NOTIFIED [NAME REDACTED] 

• WE RECEIVED A MEDICAL PENDANT ALARM. WE SPOKE TO [NAME REDACTED]  (HEALTH AID) WHO STATED THAT [NAME REDACTED]  HAD  FALLEN AND INJURED HIS HEAD AND LEG WHICH WERE BLEEDING. WE DISPATCHED EMS 

• [NAME REDACTED]  STATES SHE HAS FALLEN IN THE LIVING ROOM AND MAY HAVE BROKEN HER SHOULDER. 

• WE RECEIVED AN ALARM. WE SPOKE TO [NAME REDACTED]  HE STATED HE HIT HIS HEAD AND IS ON THE SECOND FLOOR. WE RECEIVED AND ADDL ALARM AND [NAME REDACTED] STATED HE WAS ON THE FLOOR AND COULDN'T GET UP. WE DISPATCHED EMERGENCY SERVICES

Fallen, not injured, needs "Lift Assist"

General Illness, Not Injured

High Blood Pressure, Possible Stroke

Heart Attack, Chest Pains