RUMFORD – River Valley Healthy Community Coalition Coordinator Patricia Duguay introduced Lisa Cailler of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice Program on Thursday to speak on the merits of LifeLine.

LifeLine is a personal response and support service offered by the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice Program. Cailler showed the need for such a program by giving facts on falls at the River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition meeting Wednesday.

Cailler gave statistics showing that 30 percent of the people older than 65 in the area fall each year and that percentage increases to 50 percent by age 80. Sixty percent of those falls are in the home. LifeLine is one answer to give seniors a greater feeling of security. It offers immediate response 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.

Cailler said, “If people are reached within an hour of having fallen, there is only 12 percent mortality rate versus 67 percent if the person is left for over 72 hours.

People get hypothermia, pneumonia and the problems escalate if bones are broken. Vital medication is missed, which also aggravates the situation.

“The bracelet or necklace worn by the person gives them immediate access to help. When a button is activated, LifeLine tries to contact the person via a call box, which is placed in the center of the home. If they receive no response they call 911 immediately. For people living alone it gives them more confidence in their day-to-day living,” Cailler said.

Cailler provided several brochures including a checklist of things to do to prevent falls in and outside the home.

The LifeLine program covers Andover, Bethel, Byron, Canton, Dixfield, Mexico, Peru, Roxbury, Rumford and Weld. There is a $50 enrollment fee and a monthly fee of $40. Those interested may phone 1-800-482-7412.

In other reports, Sarah Coolidge presented her registrations for an eight-week self tracking exercise program which starts on April 4. Registration deadline is April 1. For information phone 364-7408.

Families that Care announced a date change. The program will begin on April 6 at Scrappers Domaine, 77 Canal St. For information phone RVHCC at 364-7408.

Duguay announced that moving days for coalition are March 5 to 8. The phones will not be working on these dates. The new facility will be at 94 River St. and Duguay is enthusiastic with the new facilities and plans to feature school children art in the windows.

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