PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Changes and enhancements to what was known as The Aroostook Medical Center’s Lifeline services will mean a new name, new equipment for subscribers, and a near tripling of the client base to serve 11 additional Maine counties.
“TAMC has been providing personal emergency response services to the people of Aroostook County for over 30 years,” said Judy Hennessey, TAMC LiveSAFE manager. “Our goal has always been to give our clients and their families peace of mind and to help them safely stay in their home at an affordable price. We look forward to serving a larger client base with new equipment, all the while continuing to provide that peace of mind those who rely on our services have come to count on.”
Under the former emergency response service and prior to the transition, TAMC served just under 600 clients locally. Approximately 900 additional clients across northern, eastern and central Maine will be added before the end of November, bringing the new total to around 1,500.
As a result, TAMC has hired more operators to handle the increase in call volume. One full-time employee and one part-time employee have been added to the LiveSAFE emergency call response team. The call center for LiveSAFE has also been moved from near the main entrance of the A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital to the facility’s Pinkham entrance to allow for more space.
At the same time, work is nearing completion on replacing the Philips Lifeline monitoring and personal emergency response equipment used under the Lifeline brand with similar devices from American Medical Alert Corporation (AMAC). The new state-of-the-art equipment and monitoring services are being installed in client homes at no cost and with no increase to the monthly rate.
“TAMC LiveSAFE Emergency Response Service is still run by the same staff that you know and trust to help keep you safe,” said Kelly Tuttle, TAMC LiveSAFE operator. “When a client pushes their button, their calls will still be answered by staff at TAMC. The updated equipment clients are receiving is simply an upgrade TAMC is providing for their clients.”
LiveSAFE is not just for medical emergencies. The service is ideal for a variety of people including seniors, adults and children with disabilities, and those with short-term needs.
Individuals subscribing to LiveSAFE are able to push a small button that is worn either around the wrist or as a necklace, which will activate a call to the response center at TAMC. The response center will respond to the client on the speaker system built in to the receiver located in the home and will contact family, a friend, an ambulance or police as directed by the client. If no response comes from the client the response center will automatically call emergency contacts.
Besides medical attention, some use LiveSAFE to summons help if they are alarmed about strange or disturbing noises, trespassers intruding or if they are nervous and need someone to talk to. Clients can use LiveSAFE to contact their home health provider, doctor and family members. Clients can answer a ringing phone by simply pressing their button, thus preventing a potential fall.
Existing clients with any questions or concerns, or individuals interested in learning more about TAMC’s LiveSAFE emergency response system, are encouraged to call 768-4259 or go to www.tamc.org.
