This chilling article brought back old fears of mine. An 89 year old wife and 90 year old husband living in a 3 story Georgia home were discovered an estimated 4 days after they had died. Their home elevator got stuck. They couldn't get out and didn't have a phone to call for help. According to an Associated Press story, a concerned newspaper carrier, worried that their newspapers were stacking up since July 9th, called 9-1-1.
The idea of that poor couple stuck for a few days is depressing. I didn't realize that temperatures as low as 95 degrees could kill someone. That's scary to read during a hot summer. It probably has something to do with being without water. Having to lie there in the heat with your dead spouse would be a horrifying way to live the last few hours of your life.
My husband and I separated when my son was 2 1/2 months old. I was terrified that something would happen to me and my unattended child would suffer. I mentioned it to a neighbor who told me she'd be sure to come check if it didn't seem I'd been out a day. I knew my office would call if I didn't show up to work.
This week I read a post from someone who had falled and had to lie there for about an hour until someone came to help her up. When my mother was living alone, I was afraid of something like that. If she couldn't get to a phone, she was out of luck. I'd call her almost every day, just in case she needed something. It's great to have elderly parents who are independent, but we all need a back up system.
I believe anyone living alone should make sure they have someone who will check in on them, just in case. One of the reasons I misplace my phone so often is that I carry it around with me much of the time. I can't seem to get my Bluetooth to work so I can just wear the ear piece. After reading this article, I'm going to figure that out.
Because, you just never know.
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Comments: 22
Yes, temps that low can kill, especially if the individual is elderly, very young, or simply heat intolerant. It is easy to get dehydrated in 95 degree heat, especially if you don't have access to anything to drink. It is likely that they passed out from heat exhaustion, and were unconscious when they died.
It is also possible that, knowing there was likely to be no help on the way, the couple may have given up. Sad as that is to contemplate, it's known among medical personnel that psychological factors can affect life and death situations.
It is so sad that this has happened. The one thing that is good in my eyes is that they went Together! I know this might sound a bit out there, but this is how I Feel.
Peopple need to remember to check on each other, and to take care of each other. Even if you don't "like" the person, you don't want to find out that you could have done something to save their life.