ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. 鈥� A volunteer group known as 鈥淭he Memaw Brigade鈥� is lending a hand in first responder training.
These seniors, grandmothers and grandfathers, simulate medical emergencies to help the St. Charles County Ambulance District train first responders to better assess fall injuries, reports.
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Millions of ER visits and about one million hospitalizations each year are due to falls, , underscoring the need for this hands-on training.
鈥淭he geriatric population is our number one fall patients,鈥� Training Officer Jaclyn Kloecker said. 鈥淪o what I like to do is actually use real-life patients, and they came out and volunteered with us.鈥�
New Perspective in Weldon Spring, a senior living facility, has hosted EMT training sessions featuring Memaw Brigade volunteers. Participant Sofia Bax portrayed a sepsis patient, highlighting the need for responders to stay skilled and prepared to safely assist older adults.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 great,鈥� Bax said. 鈥淭hey have to stay knowledgeable. They have to be able to pick us old people up.鈥�
About 400 paramedics and firefighters in the St. Charles County Ambulance District have completed the Memaw training.
