Push a button for medical help
Lifeline program connects those in need with hospital

For seniors and other medically vulnerable adults who live alone, a telephone connection can be a literal lifeline. The Simi Valley Hospital's Lifeline Program is a combination of technology and social service that comes to the aid of subscribers in times of need.

The local Lifeline Program is operated by the hospital in cooperation with the Simi Valley Council on Aging and the city of Moorpark Senior Center.

Lifeline subscribers use a special "personal help button," typically worn on a soft cord around their neck, to alert the hospital's Emergency Department when a health crisis or concern arises. When the help button is pressed, it activates a Lifeline device attached to the subscriber's telephone, which automatically dials the Emergency Department.

In the Emergency Department, the subscriber's contact information is displayed on a computer screen. An ER nurse is automatically connected with the subscriber by a speaker phone in the home. The nurse gathers information about the ailment or concern and initiates next steps, such as sending paramedics and/ or calling the subscriber's neighbors, friends or loved ones, whose contact information is also displayed.

Lifeline is designed primarily for seniors, but the service has been extended to a limited number of younger homebound and infirm residents.

In Simi Valley and Moorpark combined, 404 subscribers participated in the Lifeline Program last year. In that period, Lifeline received more than 300 "helpneeded" calls from subscribers that required medical attention or other assistance. The needs that subscribers reported included chest pain, difficulty breathing, falling and other ailments. Many times, these issues require immediate attention from paramedics.

"Many of our subscribers don't always have access to their friends and relatives to provide support, in part because many of them live out of the area or have passed on, leaving the subscriber without a close personal contact," said Donald Hunt, who coordinates the Lifeline Program as a hospital volunteer. "Volunteers make regular phone calls to our subscribers and mail birthday cards to them. They really like receiving the birthday cards."

"Lifeline adds months or years to the time a senior can continue to live independently in their own home before needing to go to a care facility," he said. "Seniors often view this as a combined benefit to both their quality of life and their financial wellbeing."

If accessed from the private sector, a subscriber pays $35 to $45 per month for the Lifeline service. In Simi Valley and Moorpark, those costs are underwritten and range from free to $15 per month, based on federal (HUD) income criteria.

A number of area companies and agencies collaborate to underwrite the cost of the Lifeline units, including the hospital's Volunteer Guild, the Simi Valley Council on Aging and the city of Moorpark.

Local fraternal and service groups, as well as the partner organizations' own fundraising efforts, also help to keep Lifeline running.

Simi Valley Hospital provides the physical space for the Lifeline equipment and absorbs most of the daily operating costs.

Twentyseven volunteers assist as technicians, who install and service the equipment, and monitors, who keep in touch with subscribers to ensure the units are operating.

To volunteer or for more information, call (806) 955-6954.