Knowing that every second counts when facing a medical emergency, Noreen Hickock of Traverse City was glad to be among the first senior citizens in the area to participate in the File of Life program.
The program, sponsored by the Traverse City Fire Department and the Grand Traverse County Commission on Aging, provides an information card to record medical conditions, drug allergies, emergency contact numbers for friends and family members, doctors information, prescription information and any special circumstances rescue personnel should know.
In an emergency, responding rescue workers will look for the File of Life card, to be kept in a magnetic pouch on the refrigerator door. File of Life information will help guide on-scene treatment as well as notification of doctors and family members.
"This program is kind of a must, really,” said Hickock who feels safer with File of Life in her home.
"We have enough packets for every senior citizen in Grand Traverse County,” said firefighter/paramedic Theo Weber of the Traverse City Fire Department, who has been instrumental in bringing the popular program to Grand Traverse County.
"This program helps the responder recognize immediately if the person has a medical condition that could be contributing to their emergency. Nearly 60 percent of medical responses are to the elderly,” said Weber, who will be among volunteers helping seniors complete an information card from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, at the Traverse City Fire Department station located at 500 West Front St.
Munson Medical Center's advance care planning department will also be on site to provide Do Not Resuscitate POLST cards to those interested in expressing their desires for life sustaining treatment to emergency personnel.
"This card will help the responders recognize if the person has some form of advanced directive and be able to follow their wishes,” Weber said.
While Weber is enthusiastic about distributing File of Life packets to area seniors, his ultimate goal is to have the program more widely available.
"My desire is to push the program into the seven county area, for anyone with a medical concern,” said Weber, who hopes to gain funding to expand the program.
For more information on the program or to obtain a File of Life packet, call 922-4688.