What is an ambulance for the elderly?
An ambulance for the elderly is a transport solution for transporting the elderly, some of whom are also disabled and limited in movement, from place to place.
This type of ambulance, which is actually classified as a private ambulance, is defined as a safe emergency medical car equipped under the procedures of the Ministry of Health and providing maximum comfort for the elderly.
In many cases, the purpose of contacting a private ambulance service is to transport the sick elderly and allow them to attend a particular event under constant medical supervision. The reason for this may actually be related to the need to be accompanied by medical personnel, but it may also be related to the need of transporting the elderly in a lying state or a wheelchair – a service that cannot be performed using standard fixed-route taxis, taxis, and private vehicles.
In which cases an ambulance for the elderly is needed?
Ambulance for the elderly is designed for a variety of small and large situations.
When invited to an event, it’s important to properly prepare an elderly person in terms of arriving at and returning from the event.
Typically, private ambulances are used to provide services such as:
- Transportation of sick and injured people to hospitals.
- Primary care for the patient.
- Medical security in the given compound.
- An emergency service close to the customer.
What is the importance of an ambulance for the elderly?
The importance of an ambulance for the elderly is critical in any event, regardless of its extent, because its primary goals are to ensure the safety of the elderly and, if necessary, to quickly and efficiently evacuate them to the nearest hospital. A private ambulance provides a solution for cases that may occur along the way to this event, including unexpected ones, so it’s very important to know that the professional staff on the ambulance know how to provide the balanced and reasonable treatment that the elderly need.
It’s important to make sure that the private ambulance company has the necessary insurance, including professional liability insurance and permission to operate ambulances under the regulations of the Ministry of Health. In addition, the private ambulance company is required to provide an ambulance team, which must include a paramedic driver and a first aid provider and both of them must have valid qualification certificates. These are the criteria required for providing emergency medical care by ambulance.
In recent years, there has been a growing demand for private ambulances for the elderly, whether for standard house-to-house transportation or events such as weddings, bar mitzvahs, etc.
In which areas in the country can private ambulance services be ordered?
Private ambulance companies operate on a large scale in Israel. There are about 100 companies throughout Israel providing services with private ambulances. There are large companies that operate multiple ambulances over a large area, while others have one ambulance that provides local services. Among the companies working in this area are such as Ezer Metzion, Shachal, Natali, Monitor, Poriya Hospital Private Ambulance in the north of the country, Rafael, Achva, and many others. Providing a response to the elderly in this sense is complex.
Who is an ambulance for the elderly for?
Ambulances for the elderly are intended for older people who, in many cases, are either limited in movement, sick or disabled.
The ideal solution for this target audience is the use of private ambulance services.
The ambulance service by phone can provide the ambulance services that are most convenient for them, both for everyday and routine matters and for medical emergencies as well.
Nowadays it’s possible to help any person without age and weight restrictions to get to a particular event with the help of an ambulance service by phone.
What services do private ambulances offer?
Private ambulances provide many services, and the main ones are as follows:
- Transportation of disabled people in a wheelchair.
- Transportation of patients throughout the country to nursing homes and medical institutions such as clinics, hospitals, and examination centers.
- Transportation of the elderly to the airport and their escort until boarding the plane.
- Transportation of sick, elderly, and disabled people who need medical supervision, and their protection on excursions and events.
- Transportation of patients with oxygen.
- Transportation to intensive care units.
- Transportations related to the care of the deceased, such as transportation of the deceased, tombstones, funeral arrangements, etc.
The price range for private ambulance services is wide and can range from 300 to 2,000 shekels. The final cost of the service depends on the distance traveled, the duration of the trip, in what time of the day the trip takes place (the morning or the evening), for which some companies can charge an extra cost, the type of the transportation, and the equipment that is used during the trip.
The rule of thumb is to compare different price quotes to understand which is the most affordable option.
Some private ambulance companies offer discounted prices or subscriptions in cases where there is a need for permanent and long-term services, including transportation for frequent visits to clinics and institutions. It’s recommended to check with the health maintenance clinic in which cases the client is entitled to compensation or refund, and if the client has private insurance, he should check whether the policy includes participation in the private ambulance’s costs. Clients hospitalized due to such trips will be reimbursed at their health maintenance clinic, even if they were transported to the hospital by a private ambulance.
Why to choose private ambulance services?
When choosing a private ambulance service, it is advisable and desirable to consider four critical points:
- Availability – first and foremost, the private ambulance is available for the fastest and most efficient transportation of patients to their destination.
- Service – private ambulance companies provide a personal and quality service that is not always available in other similar services for the elderly.
- Equipment – auxiliary equipment, beds, and wheelchairs that are permanently in private ambulances have the highest quality standards in the field of medical equipment.
