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Program Targets Senior Safety
By Lisa Roose-Church, Daily Press & Argus
September 21, 2005
Theresa Perrin is lifted off of a military after fleeing rising floodwaters in Jean Lafitte.
Photo by Ric Francis, The Associated Press
As the public struggles to comprehend news about 34 elderly patients who died in Hurricane Katrina's floodwaters after being left behind, people who work with Livingston County elderly are taking steps to ensure it doesn't happen in this community.
Maryann Madsen, a registered nurse and former police officer, said Rescue Ready is a senior-focused emergency help source - in addition to standard police and medical services available in the community - in the event of a catastrophic event, extreme weather or its resultant emergencies.
"All you have to do is watch TV during Katrina and look at all those who got left behind" to know why the program is important, said Madsen, co-owner of program sponsor Comfort Keepers, a business that provides caregiving and support services to the elderly.
"When I watch (news) about Katrina, I cry, because I see these old folks who couldn't get out on their accord and there they sat; some of them drowned," she said. "There are a lot seniors can do that they may not be aware of."
The program allows Comfort Keepers personnel to identify the homes of seniors in the area who may require assistance beyond their own means through a simple, free pre-enrollment program. Any Livingston County senior is eligible.
Rescue Ready is a database that includes the names, addresses, emergency phone numbers and medical conditions for county seniors.
In the event of a major catastrophe, such as the blackout of 2003 or a major tornado, Comfort Keepers Rescue Ready volunteers will call the senior to verify he or she is safe.
Comfort Keepers is a national organization that is independently owned and operated by Madsen and Jeanne Rymarz.
If necessary, the volunteers will notify emergency services, such as police or fire, of the senior's location and special needs. The volunteers also will contact electric and gas companies to have seniors placed on the priority restoration list so those who lose services in emergencies such as the blackout in 2003 can get service turned back on quickly.
The idea is that emergency personnel will know where the frail or elderly are so they can get services immediately.
The program would be automatically activated in the event of loss of gas or heat; loss of electricity, which would be a priority for seniors who rely on medical equipment such as oxygen; no water; flooding; chemical spill; or any other weather-related emergency or natural disaster declared by local authorities.
Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte praised the idea behind the program, saying having a database that can pinpoint the county's elderly could be beneficial to emergency services.
"There's things we learn from every tragedy and (Katrina) is one you can learn from," he said. "I think (Rescue Ready) is a good idea."
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