City Launches File of Life Program to Aid SeniorsCLEARWATER - The City of Clearwater has launched a new program to provide emergency medical professionals critical medical information in the event the recipient of their services is unable to speak for him or herself. As of Nov. 1., Clearwater's Office on Aging, Clearwater Fire & Rescue and the Clearwater Police Department are offering seniors aged 60 or older a File of Life, an envelope containing such information as the participant's name, medications, medical conditions, blood type, personal physician's name and other contact information. Program participants receive the special magnetic envelope containing a form to record the information. Once complete, the form is returned to the envelope and stuck to a refrigerator door. An accompanying sticker is placed in or near the participant's front door to alert medical personnel that a File of Life is available. Then, should an emergency occur and no one is available to speak for the participant, emergency personnel can check the File of Life for the information needed to begin treatment immediately, in a incident in which response time could affect the outcome of the call, such a file could improve a patient's odds of survival. Participants also receive a smaller data sheet and sleeve that can be inserted into a wallet in the event an emergency occurs outside of the participant's home. Clearwater's public safety agencies are partnering with the American Red Cross, Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas and the Alzheimer's Association to launch the program. File of Life packets are free, although $1 donations are accepted to help defray costs of obtaining more packets. For more information about the program, or to receive a File of Life packet, contact Kerry Kimball Masalek at (727) 562-4830 or e-mail kerry.kimball@myclearwater.com.
|