Back American Red Cross senior adult services in Jefferson County were featured during the Feb. 10 Red Cross interview on KJFF Radio (1400 AM). Omar Ruiz of the Jefferson County Service Center was joined by Jean Romine, Lifeline specialist, to focus on three services available to senior adults and their caregivers: Lifeline, disaster education presentations designed for senior adults and the Family Caregiving Program. Worn as a pendant or on the wrist, Lifeline summons assistance with the touch of a button, assuring an individual will never be left alone when help is needed. When the button is pushed, Lifeline operators answer the call and can be heard through a speaker unit compatible with a subscriber’s telephone. If the subscriber requests help or is unable to answer, the Lifeline operator notifies family members, friends or neighbors who provide their contact information on a predetermined list. If those contacts cannot be reached, emergency responders are dispatched. Regardless of the circumstances, the Lifeline operator is available until someone arrives to assist the subscriber. Through the Lifeline service, clients often embrace a newfound peace-of-mind and independence. More than 1,300 clients throughout the metropolitan area are served by the American Red Cross Lifeline program. Scholarships are provided to those who qualify. Ruiz focused on Red Cross disaster preparedness curriculum designed for seniors. These presentations help seniors prepare for a variety of situations by guiding them to respond to directions from authorities and workplace officials. Preparation includes the development of a communication plan and the identification of a meeting place for family members. Readily available disaster supply kits, knowledge of when/how to shelter in place, and awareness of evacuation routes and the locations of emergency shelters outside the home are also emphasized. The Family Caregiving Program is designed to assist individuals in their roles as caregivers to aging loved ones. Statistics show more than 22 million American families are caring for a loved one at home and more than 66 percent of primary caregivers also work outside the home. These work-related responsibilities often add to the stress associated with the challenging role of caregiver. To focus on general caregiving skills, the curriculum addresses the following: personal care, positioning and helping your loved one move, home safety, healthy eating, caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, caring for a loved one with HIV/AIDS, and legal and financial issues. Caregivers should not forget their own needs, and the Family Caregiving Program provides the valuable support network necessary to balance caregiving with other responsibilities of daily life. For more information about Lifeline, disaster preparedness presentations for senior adults, or the Family Caregiving Program, call the Jefferson County Service Center in Arnold at 636.464.9150 or log on to the Red Cross Web site at www.redcrossstl.org. This story may be available for an Adobe Acrobat PDF download. Click on the link below to visit the site download center. If a PDF is available, the file will automatically open in your browser.

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