EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM

EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM A. Definition and Purpose Emergency Response - a personal response system installed in a frail, elderly client's residence for use 24 hours in signaling for help at the push of a button. Emergency response is usually a small radio device transmitting a coded signal or message over existing telephone lines to a control station, such as the local hospital or police station which has the elderly person's name, address, phone number and emergency contact on file. Assistance is sent to the older person's home if he/she does not immediately respond to a phone call. Emergency response devices can be worn around the neck or wrist and can be activated in emergencies while away from home. The purpose of Emergency Response is to: 1. allow older persons to remain living independently at home and yet have the capability of being able to summon assistance, should the need arise; 2. offer peace of mind and provide respite and reassurance for concerned families and caregivers; 3. call for help in emergency situations for those who are unable to do so; 4. give the older adult a feeling of confidence and security in his/her own home; 5. allow the elderly individual freedom of movement outside of his/her home; and 6. prevent or delay premature institutionalization of the frail, handicapped, disabled or homebound elderly. B. Eligibility Any frail, elderly Mississippians 60 years old and above, living alone or temporarily alone, amputees successfully using prosthesis, and heart patients are eligible for emergency response services. Priority is given to seniors in most need and case managed clients. Unit of Service Unit of service equals one 24 hour day of service to a client. C. Minimum Program Requirements Each service provider offering Emergency Response Systems funded by Title III of the Older Americans Act or other funds through contractual agreement with an Area Agency must adhere to the following requirements: 1. Service Activities The following sequence of events occurs in the provision of emergency response: a. An emergency response home unit device is connected to the client's telephone line which sends an automatic call for help at the Emergency Response Center when the help button on front of the device is pushed. b. When the signal for help is received, the Emergency Response center responds by immediately calling the home of the client. c. If there is no answer at the client's home, a "responder" will be called. A responder is a friend, neighbor or relative whom the participant has chosen to be called in case of an emergency. This person should live nearby and have access to the home. d. Upon arrival at the home, the responder presses the reset button on the home unit to signal the Emergency Response center that help has arrived. e. The Response Center will then call to see what the situation is and what sort of help is needed. f. For serious situations, an ambulance or police will be dispatched to the client's home. g. The home unit is equipped with a timer which alerts the Center for help when the client fails to reset the timer in a specified period of time. h. The Emergency Response device dials the Center automatically when the client's phone is off the hook or during a power failure. 2. Location of Service Emergency response services will be provided through the installment of a home unit in the client's home, and a base unit at a hospital medical Center or police department or any other base station where 24 hour coverage is available seven days per week. 3. Access to Service Participants can access emergency response service through referrals from doctors, health and social service agencies, hospitals and private individuals. 4. Delivery Characteristics a. Each participant shall have a case record which includes: (1) screening/intake instrument: (2) assessment; (3) plan of care; (4) documentation of services provided, dates and times; (5) client's name, address, phone number, physician, and two contact persons' names and addresses; (6) health and medical information (illnesses and medications); (7) authorization releases; and (8) confidentiality agreement form. b. Emergency response services shall be available 24 hours per day, Monday through Sunday, including holidays. c. A "test" call is required on a monthly basis to assure that the unit is in working order. This is a requirement of most distributors. d. The emergency response system is designed for easy and convenient use by the elderly client with the following features: (1) Home/away switch - inform the Center if the client is home or away for more than 24 hours. (2) Reset button - let the Center know that help has arrived. (3) Standby battery - allows the unit to function for ten hours in the event of a power outage. (4) Help button - to be pressed for emergency assistance instead of the personal help button worn around the neck or wrist. (5) inactivity timer - alerts the Center automatically when the client is unusually inactive. (6) Built-in speaker phone - allows two-way voice communications without lifting the telephone receiver. e. The client shall be allowed the opportunity to contribute to the cost of the service. 5. Staffing a. There must be a person assigned to monitor the home base unit at all times. b. There must be a person designated to be responsible for the day-to-day operation and installation of the emergency response home unit. c. Volunteers shall be used in the provision and delivery of the service. d. There must be a person, neighbor, relative or friend, designated as a "responder" for each client who receivers an emergency response system. e. There must be a designated person to supervise the emergency response staff and handle emergencies after work hours, weekends and holidays. 6. . Training a. All emergency response service staff must receive training on home unit devices, its features, operational and installment procedures. b Staff must receive training on emergency procedures, first aid, CPR, Heimlich techniques, etc. c. All staff shall receive orientation training which includes: (1) introduction to the State Unit on Aging, its policies and procedures; (2) introduction to the service providers, policies and procedures; and (3) community resources. 7. Emergency Response Coordination duties shall include: a. Public relations to generate donations and referrals. b. Speaking to civic groups and increasing public relations through the media, including TV, radio and the newspaper. c. Securing referrals from physicians, home health agencies, individuals and social workers. d. Demonstrating the operation of the system to those interested and possible subscribers, the hospital Emergency Department staff, and local organizations. e. Installing the emergency response system, obtaining medical information and contracts from subscribers and transferring information to the emergency room, connecting the communicator and instructing subscribers on its use. f. Maintaining the systems through monthly checks on system use, trouble shooting calls, and consulting with Emergency Response personnel when necessary. g. Maintaining accurate records which include inventory, monitor readouts and emergency calls. h. Insuring that a screening form is completed on all subscribers and updated as required. i. Attending meetings as required by the funding source.