|
|
| |
|
|
What is Lifeline? For over 20 years, Lifeline has been North America’s leading personal response service. With the American Red Cross, we’ve helped over 4 million people just like you to continue to live independently in their own homes. We do this by ensuring that you know whenever you need help, it’s just a button push away. To call for help, you simply press the Personal Help Button you wear as a pendant or on a wristband. The Personal Help Button activates a small in-home communicator that automatically dials the Red Cross Lifeline Response Center. Within seconds, your call will be answered by one of our caring, highly trained operators (we call them Lifeline Monitors). You will never be asked to talk to a machine. You might be calling to tell us you have a minor problem that only requires a neighbor or nearby relative to stop by—or you may need an ambulance. Whatever you need, we will respond quickly. All your important information is immediately available to the Monitor answering your call, so the type of help you need is quickly determined—and we make sure you get it. We want you to make frequent check-in calls. Press your Personal Help Button just to say hello and let us know how you’re doing, or to make sure your Lifeline equipment is working properly. We recommend you contact us at least once a month. Our communicators have a highly sensitive speakerphone that lets the Monitor speak to you, even if you can’t get to the phone. And, if you press your Personal Help Button but cannot speak, your Lifeline Monitor will quickly send help. [Back to top] 2. How will I benefit from the Lifeline Personal Response Service? Lifeline offers you and your loved ones peace of mind, independence, early intervention, and reassurance. [Back to top] 3. My independence is very important to me. Would I be giving that up by subscribing to Lifeline? No. In fact, a recent clinical study proved that Lifeline users were 10 times less likely to need a long-term care facility like a nursing home than people who didn’t use the Lifeline service. Lifeline actually helps you preserve your independence by giving you the confidence to continue to live where you want to. [Back to top] 4. I’m fine on my own. Why would I want Lifeline? Lifeline is like insurance. You may never need it, but if you do you’ll be glad you have it. It’s reassuring to know that if you have a sudden illness or injury, help will be on the way in a matter of minutes even if you cannot move or speak. [Back to top] 5. I already have all the help I need. My neighbor checks in with me every day. Between your neighbor’s visits you are left unprotected. You could fall and be unable to get help. A study published by the New England Journal of Medicine reported that people found within one hour of a fall are 5 times more likely to survive that those who remained helpless for over 72 hours. [Back to top] 6. Who are the Monitors answering my call? They are deeply caring, highly trained professionals. Their only job is to answer your call and ensure that you receive the attention you deserve and help you need. [Back to top] 7. Is Lifeline complicated to use? It’s simpler than using a telephone. All you have to do is press your Personal Help Button. The Communicator dials the Lifeline Response Center. Within seconds you’re talking with a Monitor who immediately has all your important information displayed on a screen. [Back to top] 8. Is there a lot of equipment involved? No. There are just two pieces of equipment. The Personal Help Button weighs less than an ounce. You wear it either as a necklace or around your wrist like a watch. It’s completely waterproof (not just "water resistant"), so you can wear it in the shower or bath where many accidents occur. The button contains a tiny powerful battery that even sends a signal to our Response Center when it gets low. The Lifeline Communicator is a sophisticated device that swiftly dials Lifeline’s Response Center when you press the Button. Each Communicator has a built-in speakerphone that connects the subscriber’s residence with trained personnel at the Response Center. This allows the Lifeline Monitor to communicate with you even if you cannot get to the phone. The Communicator simply plugs into a standard modular phone jack and a power outlet. [Back to top] 9. Do I have to be in the same room as the Communicator for it to work? No. You can be in another room, on a different floor, or even outside in your yard—your signal will still be received. [Back to top] 10. How does the Monitor follow up with the subscriber if the button is pressed? Unlike other response services, Lifeline service has an important feature called "closed loop" that ensures help arrives at the home. When a responder is called by the Lifeline Monitor they are instructed to go to the subscriber’s home and press a button on the Lifeline Communicator. If for any reason the responder was unable to reach the home or failed to respond, the Communicator would send a second message to our Monitoring staff indicating that help had not arrived. The Monitoring staff then follows up with the subscriber and sends other responders if necessary. When a responder does arrive, they press a button on the Lifeline Communicator that sends a signal to the Lifeline Monitor. The Monitor then contacts the subscriber’s home to see if additional assistance is needed. Oftentimes, the Lifeline Monitor assists by calling an ambulance, police, fire department, or relatives, if that is necessary. [Back to top] 11. What is the next step if I decide to subscribe? Simply call the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chapter at 610-861-5105. All your information will be taken over the phone and an appointment will be made with a Red Cross Lifeline Home Service Representative to either demonstrate or install Lifeline in your home. The Home Service Representative will also locate the best site for the Communicator. This Representative will not leave until you have practiced using your Personal Help Button to call the Red Cross Lifeline Response Center, and you feel comfortable using the service. [Back to top]
Home | About Us | Health & Safety | Disaster Services | Armed Forces Service | International Services | Blood Services | Volunteer
Nursing | Valley Wide Help | Lifeline | Donate | Special Events | Job Opportunities | Site Map
|
