|
Fall 2004 Lifeline Offers Independence and Peace of MindAs they saying goes, accidents will happen. And for those of us prone to mishaps due to age or a medical condition, they may occur at the most inconvenient times—like when we’re home alone. AAMC provides a service that can help. It?s called “Lifeline” and it’s a personal emergency response system, so people with health issues or special needs can feel more confident going about their daily tasks. 
Lifeline provides a way for people to maintain their independence but feel safe. “Lifeline provides a way for people to maintain their independence but feel safe,” explains Doris Czoka, Coordinator of the Lifeline Program for AAMC. “People can stay in their homes alone but get assistance quickly when they need it.” Here’s how Lifeline works: subscribers to the program wear a help button around their necks or wrists and push it when they need assistance. The call goes directly to a Lifeline operator, who then calls the subscriber on a base unit similar to a speakerphone. If the operator gets no response, he or she attempts to reach one of the people the subscriber has listed as emergency contacts. If a contact person cannot be reached, the operator dispatches 911. Mrs. Dorothy Mitchell, 88, appreciates that help is just the push of a button away. Mrs. Mitchell has used Lifeline a half-dozen times when she has fallen and been unable to get to her feet without aid. “Lifeline is just so easy,” says Mrs. Mitchell. “If you called someone yourself, you wouldn’t get that kind of service.” More than 600 area residents, ranging in age from 40 to older than 100, subscribe to Lifeline through AAMC. The system is designed for emergencies but occasionally a subscriber will call when they are confused or having trouble remembering necessary information.
Lifeline costs just over a dollar a day, and financial assistance is provided through community sponsors. To learn more about the AAMC Lifeline program or sponsorship, call 443-481-1460. |
“We will do anything to help alleviate fears,” says Ms. Czoka.
