Seniors Living Alone Can Enjoy Worry-Free Holidays With Lifeline

BETHLEHEM, Pa., Dec. 18 -- The holidays are a time for family and friends to share in the special moments of the season. Lifeline gives seniors and the physically challenged living alone the ability to enjoy the holidays safely at home. Lifeline offers personal response services 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.

By pushing a lightweight waterproof button that can be either worn around the neck or wrist, a subscriber has immediate access to a highly trained monitor who will take the time to fully understand the caller's situation and efficiently link each subscriber to the care they need. Lifeline monitors must undergo intensive training in gerontology and stress management before they are certified.

Last year, the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley helped nearly 2,200 individuals stay at home with confidence with the Lifeline program. In fact, Greater Lehigh Valley Red Cross is the third largest Lifeline provider among Red Cross chapters throughout the country.

"We are very proud of the service we provide our senior population which helps them live with dignity and security in the homes they love. We are especially driven during this holiday season to help more at-risk residents stay at home safely, so that they can share in the festivities with their family and friends," says Laura Sheehan, manager of the Lifeline Program at the Greater Lehigh Valley Red Cross.

Lifeline gives seniors living alone, family members and caregivers peace of mind not only during the holidays but every day of the year. Lifeline is the #1 medical alert system, brought to individuals by one of the most trusted charitable organizations - the American Red Cross.

According to one area subscriber, "It's a wonderful feeling to know that Lifeline is looking after you. I would recommend it to anyone. My kids think it's wonderful, too."

To subscribe to Lifeline or for more information, call the American Red Cross Lifeline Program at 610-861-5105 or visit www.redcrosslv.org/lifeline.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 680,000 residents of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training; Lifeline, a personal response service for seniors; and emergency relief to more than 23,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information about the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.