Recognizing Warning Signs and Medical Emergencies
This safety-critical module teaches you to recognise the warning signs that indicate a medical emergency, including stroke, heart attack, and other conditions common in elderly people.
Learning Objectives
Educational content only. This training material is for informational purposes. Always follow your employer's specific protocols and consult qualified medical professionals for clinical guidance.
Module 9 Learning Material
Being the First to Notice
As a home caregiver, you see the person every day. You will often be the first to notice when something is wrong. This module teaches you what to look for and what to do.
Stroke - F.A.S.T.
A stroke is a brain emergency. Every minute matters. Use F.A.S.T.:
- F - Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
- A - Arms: Ask them to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- S - Speech: Ask them to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
- T - Time: If you see ANY of these signs, act immediately. Get to the clinic NOW.
Do NOT give any medication. Do NOT give food or water. Do NOT wait to see if it gets better.
Heart Attack - Atypical Signs in the Elderly
Elderly heart attacks often do NOT look like the "clutching chest" you see in films. Watch for:
- Unusual fatigue or weakness
- Sudden confusion
- Jaw pain or upper back pain
- Nausea without clear cause
- Shortness of breath WITHOUT chest pain
- Dizziness or fainting
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in Elderly
In elderly people, a UTI can look very different from younger people:
- Sudden confusion or agitation (most common sign in elderly)
- Falls (for no obvious reason)
- Fever
- Changes in urination (pain, frequency, colour, smell)
Respiratory Distress
Signs of breathing difficulty that need immediate action:
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Using neck and rib muscles to breathe
- Blue lips or fingertips
- Cannot speak in full sentences
The Escalation Protocol
| Level | Action | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Monitor and Report at Next Visit | Record in daily log, report to medical contact at scheduled time | Slight appetite decrease, minor mood change, small skin change |
| Call Medical Contact NOW | Phone the medical professional immediately | Persistent confusion, repeated falls, non-blanching redness, refusal to eat/drink for 24 hours |
| Transport to Clinic IMMEDIATELY | Get the person to medical care as fast as safely possible | Stroke signs (F.A.S.T.), suspected heart attack, severe breathing difficulty, unresponsiveness, uncontrolled bleeding |
Daily Observation Log
Every day, note at minimum:
- Alertness level
- Appetite and fluid intake
- Mobility and any changes
- Mood
- Pain level
- Skin condition
- Bowel and bladder function