Sirens

What if we had sirens for our cars when we respond to a caregiving crisis?

Several years ago, I wrote that family caregivers needed their own check-out lane at the grocery store and pharmacy so they could shop as quickly as possible.

Since then, I’ve also wondered if we need sirens for our cars. When we’re rushing to our caree’s home because of a fall, we put the siren on the top of the car so we can arrive more quickly.

When we’re driving to the hospital because of an emergency, we put a siren on our car so we can alert other drivers we’re rushing because of a life-and-death situation.

I suppose we can add mini-sirens to our shopping cart so other shoppers give us the right of way in the aisles.

Perhaps we receive a siren only during a family member’s hospitalization or when hospice services begin for our caree.

Certainly, some restrictions would have to be put in place to ensure a siren is distributed and used properly. (I think of my oldest sister who will not help our parents. If she received a siren, I would lose my mind.) For instance, the local fire department could be in charge of tracking family caregivers in the community who receive sirens. The fire department could offer training for both family caregivers and the community to ensure everyone is safe on the roads. When EMTs arrive to take our caree to the hospital, they could give us a siren so we arrive as soon as possible.

We are our caree’s first responders. Why if we have the tools that first responders do?

I’d love to know what you think. What would help you arrive as quickly as possible during an emergency? What would help expedite your errands when you’re short on time?

(Image by Thomas Breher from Pixabay.)

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