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Marlborough – An employee at New Horizons at Marlborough was recently honored by the company for helping to save the life of a resident by identifying a medical emergency over the phone.
When a typically punctual resident was 15 minutes late for breakfast, Associate Dining Room Manager Amanda Williams called her apartment to check on her.
“I could tell something was wrong right away by the way she was talking,” said Williams, a West Boylston resident who has worked at the assisted and independent living community since 2015. “Her speech was slurred, and it just wasn’t the voice I know.”
Williams immediately notified the on-site nurse, who went directly to the resident’s apartment, where she recognized the early signs of a stroke. Emergency services were called, and the senior was soon at the hospital receiving life-saving care. She is expected to make a full recovery.
“I was just doing my job,” said Williams. “I’m extremely happy I was able to help this resident when she needed it. That’s what my colleagues and I are here to do every day.”
In recognition for her role in quickly identifying and responding to the emergency, New Horizons awarded Williams an Impact Award: an honor reserved for employees who perform exceptional acts that make a meaningful difference for the community.
“Amanda’s quick action certainly saved the day for this woman and her family,” said Betsy Connolly, executive director at New Horizons.” Being able to identify a medical issue through a simple phone call demonstrates how attentive our team members are to the residents.”
This was not the first time Williams has aided a resident in a medical emergency. A number of years ago, she encountered a similar incident where a senior failed to appear to a meal on time. After her rapid inquiry, that resident was found to have fallen in his apartment and received prompt medical attention.
More information about New Horizons is available at countrycommunities.com.
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Signs of stroke in men and women
Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
- Call 9-1-1 right away if you or someone else has any of these symptoms.
Acting F.A.S.T. Is Key for Stroke
Acting F.A.S.T. can help stroke patients get the treatments they desperately need. The stroke treatments that work best are available only if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within 3 hours of the first symptoms. Stroke patients may not be eligible for these if they don’t arrive at the hospital in time.
If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do the following simple test:
F—Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A—Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S—Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?
T—Time: If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.
Note the time when any symptoms first appear. This information helps health care providers determine the best treatment for each person. Do not drive to the hospital or let someone else drive you. Call an ambulance so that medical personnel can begin life-saving treatment on the way to the emergency room.
(Information/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
