Page 12 - Simi Valley Hospital | Your Health | Spring 2013
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2975 N. Sycamore Drive
Simi Valley, CA 93065
Nonpro t Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Thousand Oaks, CA
Permit No. 1172
“I’VE
fallen and I can’t get up!”
Comedy routines often poke fun
at this well-known catchphrase in
television commercials for emergency
communication devices. In reality,
a fall can be a truly traumatic and
potentially life-threatening event for
elderly or disabled people.
Since 1983, Simi Valley Hospital’s
Lifeline Program has provided a
system of equipment and trained
responders for people who fall or
who otherwise cannot reach a phone
during a health-related emergency.
The program currently averages
300 subscribers a month.
High value, low fee
Thanks to a team of 20 volunteers
whose free labor reduces the overall
cost of the service, Simi Valley Hospital
can offer the Lifeline Program at a price
Throwing out a Lifeline
To learn more about the Simi Valley Hospital Lifeline Program, call
805-955-6954
, email
DonNovell at
or go to the hospital’s website at
and click on “Sign Up for Lifeline” in the left-hand column of the home page. Applications for the
program are also available at the Simi Valley Senior Center.
that is among the lowest in the region.
“Although the market value for this
service is $26 to $38 a month, we’re
fortunate to be able instead to charge
based on the subscriber’s ability
to pay,” said Don Novell, a retired
banker who volunteers his time as
program coordinator. “Last year, the
hospital gave pricing concessions
of about $45,000—the difference
between market value for the service
and what subscribers actually paid.”
Volunteers provide a wide range of
services, including data entry, billing
and installation. Even the former
coordinator of the program continues
to volunteer his time performing
maintenance on the equipment.
Rapid response
The heart of the Lifeline service
is an in-home speakerphone unit
that uses the technology of Philips
Lifeline, a nationally recognized
medical alert system. When a
subscriber pushes the call button on
a pendant worn around the neck or
a wristband, the unit automatically
dials a monitoring service staffed
by specially trained responders. A
responder then calls the subscriber
and speaks with him or her through
the speakerphone feature on the
unit. The responder determines
whether the caller needs emergency
attention or just the help of a
neighbor or family member, then
takes appropriate action.
Novell said that a newly available
device can even help people who faint
or are otherwise unable to activate
their call button. Technology inside
the device is extremely accurate in
detecting a fall and automatically
contacts a responder. That technology
is available to Simi Valley Hospital
Lifeline Program subscribers for an
additional monthly fee.
“The Lifeline service can add
months or years to the time a senior
can continue to live independently
in his or her own home,” Novell
said. “It provides a safety net for the
subscriber and is a great comfort for
family members, knowing that help
for their loved one is just a push of a
button away.”
HATS OFF TO
WOMEN
Simi Valley Hospital Foundation
2013
Coming soon!
See page 11 to learn more about this
fabulous event and how you can sign
up to join in the fun.
