Senior Living_Northwest Colorado by Colorado Community Media

10 Senior LIVING • North & West Metro

March 7, 2013

Vial of Life can save a life By Sandi Austin saustin@ourcoloradonews.com

h e n emergency personnel respond to a 911 call, they need to know everything they can about the patient — especially if that person has complex medical issues. A Vial of Life placed on the refrigerator in the home provides vital information that can save a life — especially when the patient is unable to talk or is unconscious. Detective Gregg Beary, a senior citizen liaison officer with the Thornton Police Department, described an actual emergency response scenario that could have had tragic consequences: A man having

RTD Call-n-Ride

a heart attack went into cardiac arrest when the paramedics unwittingly administered a drug to which the man had an allergic reaction. Fortunately, the man survived, but the close call could have been avoided if there had been a Vial of Life available to the paramedics. The Vial of Life is a magnetic-backed, plastic sleeve containing a card with medical information and a sticker to be placed near the front door where it is visible to responders. This sticker lets them know that medical information is attached to the patient’s refrigerator. The card list emergency contacts, doctor information, blood type, allergies, medications, any recent surgeries and insurance information — all readily available to emergency personnel when the patient is not able to communicate. “The Vial is available free

Just call and they’ll pick you up for rides within select RTD service areas. For more information, call a number below: • North Evergreen 303-944-7474 • South Evergreen 303-944-5777 • Federal Heights 303-434-3472 • South Jeffco 303-994-3069

of charge at police departments and senior centers,” said Beary, who hands them out at Thornton Harvest Fest and other community events. “Even though senior citizens benefit from the Vial, it’s not just for seniors. Anyone with a medical condition that should be known to emergency personnel would benefit also.” Beary said it’s important that people remember to change the information in their Vial whenever they change doctors or medications. “Just as fire departments remind us about changing batteries when we change our clocks, police departments recommend that you update the information contained in your Vial of Life,” he said. For more information about the Vial of Life, or how to print out and create your own kit, go to www.vialoflife.com.

• South Thornton 303-434-4247 • Thornton/Northglenn 303-591-1389

Senior Ride (RTD)

Serves 10 or more people from a senior citizen community for transportation to cultural, education or entertainment events. For more information, call 303-299-6503.

Safety: Keep your purse zipped, your ATM secure Safety continued from Page 9

Better yet, tuck your money, credit cards and identification in an inside pocket and leave the purse behind. Sit near the driver, but not next to a door. Be safe at an ATM Go inside the bank whenever it’s possible. If you can’t, make your transactions at a busy ATM location and during daylight hours. Put your money away quickly. Turn down someone’s offer to let you go ahead of him or her at the ATM. That person can watch what you do over your shoulder. If you feel uncomfortable during a transaction, press cancel, get your card and leave. Be safe while shopping Always keep your purse compartments zipped shut. Always be aware of your surroundings and never turn your back on your purse if you have it in your shopping cart. If possible, click the child safety belt through your purse handle and place your first grocery items on top of your purse.

This will make it a bit harder for the grab-and-run thief. When you are walking in the parking lot to your car, place your purse on the shoulder that’s facing parked cars. A person driving by cannot grab at your purse. Be safe on the phone If you receive a call from a telemarketer, be alert. Con artists are experts in human psychology and behavior. Never let them deal you the guilty card for not accepting a certain offer. Never give your Social Security number or even your address over the phone. If you are home alone, don’t give that information to the caller. If you ever feel you’ve been victimized, call the police or dial 911 in emergency cases. There are a number of legal resources listed in this publication. Familiarize yourself with all your senior resources and keep the listing handy – they are there to help you in a time of need. Some information used in this story is from www.fedheights.org

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