When to call an ambulance and when to just get a taxi?

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

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Her daughter rang us up yesterday morning( Monday) to tell us what happened because of this heat and her mom being heavy set and elderly.
Her mom experienced her body going numb, couldn't feel her lips at all as it is she has a difficult time lately breathing.

Anyone have one of those portable A/C units, do they actually work well?

Sounds like she's got a heart condition with circulation problems. Maybe her ankles are swollen - water retention issues - goes with heart problems.  If she's overweight, her heart will be under increased strain but 86 is getting too old for a lifestyle change. Older people always seem to get dehydrated, then become confused and then collapse.   

Regarding the airco, I deal with airco often albeit on much larger scale.  The portable AC units do work but you've got to have an external vent to get rid of the heat.  This usually involves opening the window and put the vent pipe out of the window as they are not installed permanently.  Therefore heat will be coming in through the window while pumping it out.  Really only temporarily relief.  Self contained units without venting won't do anything useful.   Permanently installed airco units are quite cheap to buy and relatively easy to install (but putting the refrigerant gas in needs special gear).  They even sell them in Auchan or Praktiker etc - smaller ones, about 300 EUR or even less.  Getting someone to come and install it will be a problem as all the installers will be really busy in the heatwave.  Best to get a reversible one (i.e one that can be used for heating as it's very efficient).

Poor man's airco is to use wet towels and a fan.   

Soon enough, we'll all be freezing cold again.

Thanks, her girl was thinking of getting a A/C unit for next summer.
I have a feeling they would go for having a wall unit installed, they have a super clean flat that is organized. ( I am jealous!)
Going to bring over some fresh flowers to the older lady today, was sort of thinking twice on giving flowers, just because it reminds some people of a funeral when they are already ill.
Yes, she has a few health issues. Being overweight and old is a bad combo.
My grandfather was active and didn't even use a cane at 95 1/2 years old, he was always slim, didn't even know he was ill until he just didn't wake up one morning, way to go.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

Thanks, her girl was thinking of getting a A/C unit for next summer.
I have a feeling they would go for having a wall unit installed, they have a super clean flat that is organized. ( I am jealous!)...

Dunno about flowers and allergies - best to check. 

If she lost some weight then it might help but then again, there's no telling some people.

Wall unit sounds best but it will also have an outside unit and how this is installed needs to be considered as well for position - installer can advise.  It will also need a drain to get rid of water condensate (human beings produce lots of moisture and the airco will dehumidify - water has to go somewhere).  Airco units are cheap but of course they use electricity (they cost money to operate).  If it's a flat the apartment building manager will almost certainly need to be involved.

A few flats have outdoor A/C units in our building so that is probably ok. She has her own meters as well so not hassles with the common costs for the electric.
I'll try to find some flowers that will not dry out too much and produce pollen flakes.
As long as I do not buy liles I guess flowers are ok.
Candy is out ,potted plants are out for several reasons I find giving potted plants hard because everyone likes something different in the homes plus the daughter has serious OCD and dirt is not allowed in the house.
I wouldn't mind installing a A/C unit in our place but my husband is against A/C, he says it hurts his head.
Well maybe that is his memory of spending hour after hour inside a cold Vegas casino where the pump the A/C to freezing just to keep players inside.
My poor son has huge A/C bills in the summer with his big 2 story home. Such a waste of money to cool down rooms you don't even use.
Oh well, he will learn someday...

What really was a bit scary was the  ambulance service wouldn't come out to check on her. That's I found odd because of her age and all.
If we had been home I think we would of drove her over to the ER to be on the safe side.
Issue is she has gotten so heavy that she can't get down 4 flights of stairs... Eating is about her only thing left to do so she can't stop doing that. They have delivery several times a week from nice restaurants around the city.Not junk food but since she can't walk around much even healthy food is too much eating for her.
It's sad, I have never had any issues with weight but I can imagine how hard it can be to lose weight for people.
Have 2 male cousins that tip the scales at over 310lbs. each! Must of gotten the heavy gene from the father's side cause that is way too heavy to be healthy. Not sure think my old neighbor is about 240  lbs. and short.
The ambulance guys would have a hard time getting her down the stairs if she can't do it alone.

Funny story and way off topic, my heavy male cuz was being a total drama queen when he was staying with his sister and her husband in their house. His wife who was a preacher had to throw him out of the house because of his drama. Anyways he told everyone he had overdosed on drugs and had his daughter call up the ambulance service in NM.
They brought in the gurney but with his large frame and the narrow hallway they couldn't get him out of the house to the ambulance. He decided to get off the gurney and walk to the ambulance!!
What? He was faking the drug thing for attention because how else could he of done that? His sister found the bottle of pills, maybe one pill was missing out of the bottle!! Drama queen!

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

Have 2 male cousins that tip the scales at over 310lbs. each! Must of gotten the heavy gene from the father's side cause that is way too heavy to be healthy. Not sure think my old neighbor is about 240  lbs. and short.

That is seriously health damaging to be that heavy.  I'm no stick thin person myself and I know how difficult it is.  But it's a vicious circle - no exercise as too overweight, overweight because of no exercise. 

As I said 86 is too old really for a major lifestyle change but if she wants to make 96 then needs a bit of self-interest.  Maybe she's lonely and depressed. I can imagine if she's stuck inside all the time.