Chief Saunders Interviewed by Emily Malabey on ICAA-International Coalition for Autism and All Abilities radio show, on Blogtalk radio. Also, advocate for Autism, Melissa Barton, on the 1 year anniversary special, they were the first to be interviewed. Emily followed up with them on a year full of events.
Check this terrific interview out. http://www.internationalautismcoalition.org/
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Surfers With Autism April/May, Juno Beach, & Stuart Beach.
Chief Saunders and staff members from the Palm Beach Gardens office attended two event for Surfer’s With Autism throughout the month of April and May. It really was a delight to see how they work with the children to adjust them to the water and surrounds and then see them run out into the water and surf.
Walk Now for Autism, West Palm Beach, Fl
Chief Saunders, Jeanne Saunders, Jeanetta Bair, and Michelle Damone at the Walk Now for Autism Speaks, this past Sunday, March 6, 2011 handing out pamphlets, brochures, bookmarks, and a display of their device, and educate the community about our program and support the walk for Autism. The turnout was great with over 7,000 in attendance. According, to the Autism Speaks blog they mentioned it was the most successful walk they have had in Palm Beach. Project Lifesaver was proud to be in attendance.
Jersey Mikes – Giving Back to Project Lifesaver in Myrtle Beach
Monique Clement has a lot to handle with two young sons, both diagnosed with forms of autism, but the busy mother said a simple bracelet has lifted a little bit of that burden. Clement’s youngest son, Thomas, 7, wears a bracelet from Project Lifesaver on his ankle. The bracelet emits a radio frequency to help police find him if he wanders off, a scenario that is a real possibility for children with autism because they become distracted by or engrossed in outside stimulation such as water or bright lights depending on the severity of the disorder. For Thomas, who was nonverbal when he began wearing the bracelet two years ago, the bracelet has been a huge relief.
”More than anything it’s peace of mind, that if we were at the beach or in a congested area and he wandered off like any child, there would be someone to help,” said Monique Clement, who also is an administrator at the Autism Advocate Foundation at the Beach. “Even if he could hear me calling his name, he couldn’t answer me or tell someone his name and where he lives. As a parent, that fear is tremendous. This program gives you a peace of mind in your everyday life.”
Clement was at Jersey Mike’s Subs in Murrells Inlet Friday, Autism Awareness Day, helping kick off a month-long fundraiser for the Project Lifesavers program. The restaurant will donate money to the program, which currently has a waiting list, from every No. 7 menu item purchased this month. The money will be used to buy more bracelets.
“We just started helping with this last year,” said Chris Harrison, owner of the Murrells Inlet eatery. “I have a friend who’s a baseball player who does autism advocacy and he told me about the program.”
More than 40 bracelets have been given to children with autism or Down syndrome, and to older adults with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, said program director Gordon Harris. The bracelets cost about $325 each and maintenance of a new battery and new band costs $6 each month. Harris said the program has been able to provide the bracelets for the past two and a half years at no cost to families.
“Not only does it give us the ability to track those people who are at a higher risk for running off, it also gives those families a greater sense of well-being. If you’re an autistic caregiver, and you have one or more kids and one is autistic … going to the mall can be a chore,” Harris said. “We wanted to be able to provide these at no cost. For a family that has the expense of treatments for a child with autism or for an older adult with Alzheimer’s living on a fixed income, every little bit matters.”
The program began in 2007 at the urging of the Autism Advocate Foundation because of a local need. Clement said Horry County and Myrtle Beach are well known in the autism community for being friendly places for children with special needs.
The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce also has started checking out bracelets to vacationing families with autistic children or adults with Alzheimer’s.
Horry County, Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach police departments all have purchased equipment to help them track bracelet wearers if needed. Harris said members of the Horry County Public Safety Department also were certified to conduct helicopter searches as part of the program.
Harris said the bracelets have only had to be used three times and in each case, the bracelet wearers were found and returned to their families within 30 minutes.
Clement said the foundation will hold fundraisers and awareness events throughout the month, such as today’s pig roast at Bimini’s Oyster Bar in North Myrtle Beach, and Thursday during the opening night for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. For more information, visit the group’s Web site at autismadvocatefoundation.com.
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Benefit in Palm Beach, Florida
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) host “For the Love of George” benefit fundraiser in Palm Beach. In attendance, CEO of Project Lifesaver, Chief Saunders, pictured here with wife, Jeanne Saunders, and AFA’s CEO Eric Hall.
Fundraising Key for Project Lifesaver – by Kay Fate
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Dorene Trahan is afraid people just don’t know how much protection a Project Lifesaver bracelet can offer.
“There’s still just one person using it,” she said, “but my husband is going out to the schools, to group homes, to social services. I think once the word is out more, we’ll start getting more people signed up.”
An at-risk child or adult enrolled in the Lifesaver program wears a personalized wristband that emits a tracking signal. Should the person go missing, a search and rescue team responds to the area and begins its search with a mobile locator tracking system.
Search times have been reduced from hours and days to just minutes; the average rescue time is less than 30 minutes.
The Trahans’ grandson, Reece, has autism. Shortly after he was equipped with the bracelet, a test search was performed.
“They found him within 20 minutes,” Dorene Trahan said.
A video of that search will be shown at a spaghetti dinner fundraiser, planned for May 14 at the Faribault American Legion.
Reece’s father, Brad Trahan, will speak at the event. Founder of the Minnesota RT Autism Awareness Foundation, he has testified multiple times at the state legislature, chaired the Minnesota Senate Autism Task Force and worked with state and federal legislators on a variety of autism issues.
Rice County Sheriff Richard Cook will address the law enforcement side of the Project Lifesaver.
The initial equipment and training of local law enforcement and other responders was completed in October 2009 at a cost of nearly $4,000, all through donations.
Since then, Dorene Trahan and others have collected almost $1,500 more, thanks to donations from the Kiwanis Club, the Telephone Pioneers, the RT Foundation and recycled cans.
Having funds available is key, she said.
The cost of each bracelet is about $100, plus a $30 monthly charge for battery exchanges and upkeep.
“Especially now, in this economy, there may be a lot of people who can’t afford it,” Trahan said. “We see a lot of potential in Alzheimer’s (patients), and brain disorders for adults,” in addition to the children with autism.
Jen Hauer is the coordinator for the local program, and emergency management director for Rice County.
“I would hope that anybody with a need for this service would have access to it,” she said.
According to Project Lifesaver International, nearly 2,000 searches have resulted in a 100 percent recovery rate. There have been no fatalities.
What: Spaghetti dinner for Project Lifesaver
When: 5 to 7:30 p.m. May 14
Where: Faribault American Legion, 112 Fifth St. N.W.
Info: Contact Trahan at 334-8441, or Kathy Walsh at 334-5973.
2009 Rescue of the Year Award Presentation – Martinsville City, Virginia
Here’s to the Martinsville City Sheriff’s Office in Virginia – who was presented with the 2009 Project Lifesaver RESCUE OF THE YEAR award on the evening of March 23, 2010 during their local city council meeting. CEO and Founder of PLI, Gene Saunders, and COO of PLI, Tommy Carter, made the presentation to Martinsville City SO. Congrats!
NEWARK — Deputy Tim Caldwell will speak about the Licking County Sheriff’s Office’s Project Lifesaver program at the Carol Strawn Center, 126 W. Church St., Newark, at 6:30 p.m. March 31.
Project Lifesaver is a rapid-response program used to assist police forces in locating individuals who might wander and become lost because of confusion and memory loss.
This presentation is part of the Carol Strawn Center’s free education class on home safety, which is offered to Licking County caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease or a related memory loss disorder. Additional home safety concerns to be covered by the class include poisonous plants and household chemicals, fall hazards, medication safety and general caregiver safety tips.
The Carol Strawn Center offers a free caregiver education class on the last Wednesday of each month to educate and support caregivers about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and to provide them with information on available community services.
To register for this class, call the Carol Strawn Center at (740) 345-5190.
Jersey Mike’s Subs Teams up with Horry County Project Lifesaver and the Autism Advocate Foundation
Conway, South Carolina – Jersey Mike’s Subs has teamed up with Horry County Project Lifesaver and the Autism Advocate Foundation throughout the month of April, which is Autism Awareness Month, to donate a portion of their proceeds to purchase radio-transmitting wristbands to help track missing autistic children in Horry County.
A kick-off event is scheduled for Friday, April 2, which is World Autism Day and will be held at Jersey Mike’s Subs in their Murrells Inlet location. The event will be held from 11:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature entertainment and displays with information and literature about autism.
Between April 2 and 30, Jersey Mike’s Subs located in Conway, Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet and North Myrtle Beach, will give $0.50 for every regular and $1.00 for every giant #7 sub (turkey & provolone) sold in all four locations. The Conway Jersey Mike’s will also host an Autism Awareness Jamboree on Saturday, May 1, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend this free event, which will feature numerous public safety vehicles, inflatables, a dunking booth featuring local celebrities, autistic assistance dogs, games, food, entertainment, and much more.
Horry County Project Lifesaver is an innovative rapid response program aiding victims and families suffering from not only autism, but Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders such as Downs Syndrome. Clients that are enrolled in the Project Lifesaver Program wear a personalized wristband that emits a tracking signal. The main goal of Project Lifesaver is to locate and rescue the missing, in which recovery time averages less than 30 minutes when wearing the radio-transmitting wristbands.
“To-date we have about 45 people enrolled in the program, and we know we can assist many more people in our county and assist those families with the fear of their loved ones getting lost and never returning home,” said Gordon Harris, Horry County Project Lifesaver Coordinator. “Each wristband costs approximately $300 and we have been able to provide these to families at no cost due to grants that have been secured. We still need more funds in order to continue and grow this program, and we were delighted when Jersey Mike’s Subs stepped up and wanted to help.”
For more information about Horry County Project Lifesaver or to register for the program, please contact Gordon Harris at (843) 915-8440.
Chief Gene Saunders of Project Lifesaver International – To Speak on Wandering Behaviors and Technology Strategies at Aging in America Conference in Chicago Next Week
March 8, 2010 – Chesapeake, Virginia – The 2010 Aging in America Conference is the largest gathering of a diverse, multidisciplinary community of professionals from the fields of aging, healthcare and education. The conference provides attendees with the opportunity to network with new and old friends, gain insight from voices from the front line, and find new grassroots and national partners for advocacy, according to the Aging in America conference website. This conference will be held March 15th through 19th in Chicago, IL.
One of the guest presenters of the conference, Chief Gene Saunders of Project Lifesaver International, will speak with Eric Hall, Chief Executive Officer of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, on awareness, prevention and technology strategies to address wandering behaviors on Wednesday, March 17 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, from 12 noon to 1 pm. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to learn more about wandering prevention and emerging technologies! For more information on registration and attendance for the Aging in America conference, please visit http://www.agingconference.org/ .
PARKERSBURG - January 19, 2010 – Sue Patalano, administrator of the local Project Lifesaver Program, has been awarded The Project Lifesaver Medal of Merit, presented for continued meritorious service and promotion of the Project Lifesaver Program.
This is the third highest award Project Lifesaver can bestow, ranking below the National Mission Award and Distinguished Service Award. It can only be presented to participants in the Project Lifesaver International Program.
Patalano was recognized for her continued dedication and service to the Project Lifesaver program, in instructing and helping establish new agencies for the national office and promotion and expansion of the program in West Virginia, according to Christine Platz, director of Programs and Media, Project Lifesaver International.
“I am so thankful to have this opportunity to be a part of this worthwhile program. It has given me so much satisfaction and given the parents and caregivers of those individuals who are enrolled in the program what they need the most, peace of mind. It also will help each of those 26 counties in West Virginia that are on the program save time, money, manpower, and most of all save lives,” Patalano said.
Patalano is scheduled to receive her award at the national conference in October in Virginia Beach.
The Wood County Project Lifesaver Program is celebrating its fourth year of service and third year of bringing the project statewide. Since October 2005 Wood County has enrolled a total of 131 clients.
Project Lifesaver is a national program which provides individuals with cognitive disorders who have the potential for wandering off with a battery-powered wristband which emits a signal that can be picked up using radio transmitters and electronic tracking equipment. Trained law enforcement officers conduct the searches.
“At this time, we have a client roster of 50 with four pending eligibility determination. Statewide, since October 2006 we have trained 24 counties in West Virginia, bringing the total number of counties in West Virginia trained and operating a Project Lifesaver program to 26. We are in the process of scheduling a training dates for Braxton County and Mason counties. I am currently working with the Brooke County Office of Emergency Services, Harrison County 911 and the Lincoln County Office of Emergency services to bring Project Lifesaver to their counties,” Patalano said.
“We have had 10 successful rescues in West Virginia; eight of those were in Wood County,” Patalano said.
The Wood County Sheriff’s Office was approved as state coordinator for West Virginia, handling all local rescues, and provides helicopter support to any Project Lifesaver search and rescue in West Virginia. The Wood County Home Confinement program handles emergency maintenance calls on an as need basis.
Patalano said the Parkersburg Fire Department has taken training for battery changes and is handling all of the clients that are able to be brought in for their monthly battery change.
“This is done at Station 1 and the children love coming there each month. Elaine Avery, director of the RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) has recruited three couples who have also been trained to do battery changes and have been sworn in as reserve deputies. They handle the in-home changes and drive the Project Lifesaver vehicle that was donated to the program by a very generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous. The Parkersburg Police Department’s first and second shifts have also been trained for battery changes and will be used on emergency calls if available,” Patalano said. “All in all we, and this includes Capt. Mark King and Sgt. Dave Westfall of the Wood County Sheriff’s Office and Sgt. Dave Byers, New Martinsville Police Department have trained 368 students in 16 states and 209 of those students are from West Virginia law enforcement, fire departments and first responders. We are so close to reaching our goal of providing peace of mind to all of the caregivers of West Virginia citizens who have a cognitive disability. To be able to offer this opportunity to so many individuals is so wonderful,” she said.
Community News
Chief Saunders Interviewed by Emily Malabey on ICAA-International Coalition for Autism and All Abilities radio show, on Blogtalk radio. Also, advocate for Autism, Melissa Barton, on the 1 year anniversary special, they were the first to be interviewed. Emily followed up with them on a year full of events.
Check this terrific interview out.
http://www.internationalautismcoalition.org/
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Surfers With Autism April/May, Juno Beach, & Stuart Beach.
Chief Saunders and staff members from the Palm Beach Gardens office attended two event for Surfer’s With Autism throughout the month of April and May. It really was a delight to see how they work with the children to adjust them to the water and surrounds and then see them run out into the water and surf.
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Super Swimmer’s Foundation, Coral Springs, Fl
Chief Saunders & Julie Gross
Chief & Boy.
Chief was involved with Julie Gross and her non-profit organization The Super Swimmer's Foundation this past weekend. He was part of a round table discussion this past Saturday, March 5, 2011 and was also part of the filming for a video for safety on autism. The safety video Chief Saunders was in is under the Videos section on our page. For more information on enrolling your loved on for swimming with The Super Swimmer’s Foundation with Julie and her staff at 954-956-9955.
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Walk Now for Autism, West Palm Beach, Fl
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Jersey Mikes – Giving Back to Project Lifesaver in Myrtle Beach
Monique Clement has a lot to handle with two young sons, both diagnosed with forms of autism, but the busy mother said a simple bracelet has lifted a little bit of that burden. Clement’s youngest son, Thomas, 7, wears a bracelet from Project Lifesaver on his ankle. The bracelet emits a radio frequency to help police find him if he wanders off, a scenario that is a real possibility for children with autism because they become distracted by or engrossed in outside stimulation such as water or bright lights depending on the severity of the disorder. For Thomas, who was nonverbal when he began wearing the bracelet two years ago, the bracelet has been a huge relief.
”More than anything it’s peace of mind, that if we were at the beach or in a congested area and he wandered off like any child, there would be someone to help,” said Monique Clement, who also is an administrator at the Autism Advocate Foundation at the Beach. “Even if he could hear me calling his name, he couldn’t answer me or tell someone his name and where he lives. As a parent, that fear is tremendous. This program gives you a peace of mind in your everyday life.”
More than 40 bracelets have been given to children with autism or Down syndrome, and to older adults with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, said program director Gordon Harris. The bracelets cost about $325 each and maintenance of a new battery and new band costs $6 each month. Harris said the program has been able to provide the bracelets for the past two and a half years at no cost to families.
“Not only does it give us the ability to track those people who are at a higher risk for running off, it also gives those families a greater sense of well-being. If you’re an autistic caregiver, and you have one or more kids and one is autistic … going to the mall can be a chore,” Harris said. “We wanted to be able to provide these at no cost. For a family that has the expense of treatments for a child with autism or for an older adult with Alzheimer’s living on a fixed income, every little bit matters.”
The program began in 2007 at the urging of the Autism Advocate Foundation because of a local need. Clement said Horry County and Myrtle Beach are well known in the autism community for being friendly places for children with special needs.
The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce also has started checking out bracelets to vacationing families with autistic children or adults with Alzheimer’s.
Horry County, Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach police departments all have purchased equipment to help them track bracelet wearers if needed. Harris said members of the Horry County Public Safety Department also were certified to conduct helicopter searches as part of the program.
Harris said the bracelets have only had to be used three times and in each case, the bracelet wearers were found and returned to their families within 30 minutes.
Clement said the foundation will hold fundraisers and awareness events throughout the month, such as today’s pig roast at Bimini’s Oyster Bar in North Myrtle Beach, and Thursday during the opening night for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. For more information, visit the group’s Web site at autismadvocatefoundation.com.
Contact CLAUDIA LAUER at 626-0301.
Read more: http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/04/03/1401713/bracelets-ease-the-burden.html
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Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Benefit in Palm Beach, Florida
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) host “For the Love of George” benefit fundraiser in Palm Beach. In attendance, CEO of Project Lifesaver, Chief Saunders, pictured here with wife, Jeanne Saunders, and AFA’s CEO Eric Hall.
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Spaghetti Dinner
Fundraising Key for Project Lifesaver – by Kay Fate
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Dorene Trahan is afraid people just don’t know how much protection a Project Lifesaver bracelet can offer.
“There’s still just one person using it,” she said, “but my husband is going out to the schools, to group homes, to social services. I think once the word is out more, we’ll start getting more people signed up.”
An at-risk child or adult enrolled in the Lifesaver program wears a personalized wristband that emits a tracking signal. Should the person go missing, a search and rescue team responds to the area and begins its search with a mobile locator tracking system.
Search times have been reduced from hours and days to just minutes; the average rescue time is less than 30 minutes.
The Trahans’ grandson, Reece, has autism. Shortly after he was equipped with the bracelet, a test search was performed.
“They found him within 20 minutes,” Dorene Trahan said.
A video of that search will be shown at a spaghetti dinner fundraiser, planned for May 14 at the Faribault American Legion.
Reece’s father, Brad Trahan, will speak at the event. Founder of the Minnesota RT Autism Awareness Foundation, he has testified multiple times at the state legislature, chaired the Minnesota Senate Autism Task Force and worked with state and federal legislators on a variety of autism issues.
Rice County Sheriff Richard Cook will address the law enforcement side of the Project Lifesaver.
The initial equipment and training of local law enforcement and other responders was completed in October 2009 at a cost of nearly $4,000, all through donations.
Since then, Dorene Trahan and others have collected almost $1,500 more, thanks to donations from the Kiwanis Club, the Telephone Pioneers, the RT Foundation and recycled cans.
Having funds available is key, she said.
The cost of each bracelet is about $100, plus a $30 monthly charge for battery exchanges and upkeep.
“Especially now, in this economy, there may be a lot of people who can’t afford it,” Trahan said. “We see a lot of potential in Alzheimer’s (patients), and brain disorders for adults,” in addition to the children with autism.
Jen Hauer is the coordinator for the local program, and emergency management director for Rice County.
“I would hope that anybody with a need for this service would have access to it,” she said.
According to Project Lifesaver International, nearly 2,000 searches have resulted in a 100 percent recovery rate. There have been no fatalities.
What: Spaghetti dinner for Project Lifesaver
When: 5 to 7:30 p.m. May 14
Where: Faribault American Legion, 112 Fifth St. N.W.
Info: Contact Trahan at 334-8441, or Kathy Walsh at 334-5973.
http://www.faribault.com/news.php?viewStory=98309
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2009 Rescue of the Year Award Presentation – Martinsville City, Virginia
Here’s to the Martinsville City Sheriff’s Office in Virginia – who was presented with the 2009 Project Lifesaver RESCUE OF THE YEAR award on the evening of March 23, 2010 during their local city council meeting. CEO and Founder of PLI, Gene Saunders, and COO of PLI, Tommy Carter, made the presentation to Martinsville City SO. Congrats!
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CALDWELL TO SPEAK ABOUT PROJECT LIFESAVER
NEWARK — Deputy Tim Caldwell will speak about the Licking County Sheriff’s Office’s Project Lifesaver program at the Carol Strawn Center, 126 W. Church St., Newark, at 6:30 p.m. March 31.
Project Lifesaver is a rapid-response program used to assist police forces in locating individuals who might wander and become lost because of confusion and memory loss.
This presentation is part of the Carol Strawn Center’s free education class on home safety, which is offered to Licking County caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease or a related memory loss disorder. Additional home safety concerns to be covered by the class include poisonous plants and household chemicals, fall hazards, medication safety and general caregiver safety tips.
The Carol Strawn Center offers a free caregiver education class on the last Wednesday of each month to educate and support caregivers about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and to provide them with information on available community services.
To register for this class, call the Carol Strawn Center at (740) 345-5190.
_http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20100318/NEWS01/3180371/1002/CALDWELL-TO-SPEAK-ABOUT-PROJECT LIFESAVER_
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Jersey Mike’s Subs Teams up with Horry County Project Lifesaver and the Autism Advocate Foundation
Conway, South Carolina – Jersey Mike’s Subs has teamed up with Horry County Project Lifesaver and the Autism Advocate Foundation throughout the month of April, which is Autism Awareness Month, to donate a portion of their proceeds to purchase radio-transmitting wristbands to help track missing autistic children in Horry County.
A kick-off event is scheduled for Friday, April 2, which is World Autism Day and will be held at Jersey Mike’s Subs in their Murrells Inlet location. The event will be held from 11:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature entertainment and displays with information and literature about autism.
Between April 2 and 30, Jersey Mike’s Subs located in Conway, Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet and North Myrtle Beach, will give $0.50 for every regular and $1.00 for every giant #7 sub (turkey & provolone) sold in all four locations. The Conway Jersey Mike’s will also host an Autism Awareness Jamboree on Saturday, May 1, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend this free event, which will feature numerous public safety vehicles, inflatables, a dunking booth featuring local celebrities, autistic assistance dogs, games, food, entertainment, and much more.
Horry County Project Lifesaver is an innovative rapid response program aiding victims and families suffering from not only autism, but Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders such as Downs Syndrome. Clients that are enrolled in the Project Lifesaver Program wear a personalized wristband that emits a tracking signal. The main goal of Project Lifesaver is to locate and rescue the missing, in which recovery time averages less than 30 minutes when wearing the radio-transmitting wristbands.
“To-date we have about 45 people enrolled in the program, and we know we can assist many more people in our county and assist those families with the fear of their loved ones getting lost and never returning home,” said Gordon Harris, Horry County Project Lifesaver Coordinator. “Each wristband costs approximately $300 and we have been able to provide these to families at no cost due to grants that have been secured. We still need more funds in order to continue and grow this program, and we were delighted when Jersey Mike’s Subs stepped up and wanted to help.”
For more information about Horry County Project Lifesaver or to register for the program, please contact Gordon Harris at (843) 915-8440.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Chief Gene Saunders of Project Lifesaver International – To Speak on Wandering Behaviors and Technology Strategies at Aging in America Conference in Chicago Next Week
March 8, 2010 – Chesapeake, Virginia – The 2010 Aging in America Conference is the largest gathering of a diverse, multidisciplinary community of professionals from the fields of aging, healthcare and education. The conference provides attendees with the opportunity to network with new and old friends, gain insight from voices from the front line, and find new grassroots and national partners for advocacy, according to the Aging in America conference website. This conference will be held March 15th through 19th in Chicago, IL.
One of the guest presenters of the conference, Chief Gene Saunders of Project Lifesaver International, will speak with Eric Hall, Chief Executive Officer of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, on awareness, prevention and technology strategies to address wandering behaviors on Wednesday, March 17 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, from 12 noon to 1 pm. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to learn more about wandering prevention and emerging technologies! For more information on registration and attendance for the Aging in America conference, please visit http://www.agingconference.org/ .
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LOCAL WOMAN RECEIVES HONOR
By PAMELA BRUST
PARKERSBURG - January 19, 2010 – Sue Patalano, administrator of the local Project Lifesaver Program, has been awarded The Project Lifesaver Medal of Merit, presented for continued meritorious service and promotion of the Project Lifesaver Program.
This is the third highest award Project Lifesaver can bestow, ranking below the National Mission Award and Distinguished Service Award. It can only be presented to participants in the Project Lifesaver International Program.
Patalano was recognized for her continued dedication and service to the Project Lifesaver program, in instructing and helping establish new agencies for the national office and promotion and expansion of the program in West Virginia, according to Christine Platz, director of Programs and Media, Project Lifesaver International.
“I am so thankful to have this opportunity to be a part of this worthwhile program. It has given me so much satisfaction and given the parents and caregivers of those individuals who are enrolled in the program what they need the most, peace of mind. It also will help each of those 26 counties in West Virginia that are on the program save time, money, manpower, and most of all save lives,” Patalano said.
Patalano is scheduled to receive her award at the national conference in October in Virginia Beach.
The Wood County Project Lifesaver Program is celebrating its fourth year of service and third year of bringing the project statewide. Since October 2005 Wood County has enrolled a total of 131 clients.
Project Lifesaver is a national program which provides individuals with cognitive disorders who have the potential for wandering off with a battery-powered wristband which emits a signal that can be picked up using radio transmitters and electronic tracking equipment. Trained law enforcement officers conduct the searches.
“At this time, we have a client roster of 50 with four pending eligibility determination. Statewide, since October 2006 we have trained 24 counties in West Virginia, bringing the total number of counties in West Virginia trained and operating a Project Lifesaver program to 26. We are in the process of scheduling a training dates for Braxton County and Mason counties. I am currently working with the Brooke County Office of Emergency Services, Harrison County 911 and the Lincoln County Office of Emergency services to bring Project Lifesaver to their counties,” Patalano said.
“We have had 10 successful rescues in West Virginia; eight of those were in Wood County,” Patalano said.
The Wood County Sheriff’s Office was approved as state coordinator for West Virginia, handling all local rescues, and provides helicopter support to any Project Lifesaver search and rescue in West Virginia. The Wood County Home Confinement program handles emergency maintenance calls on an as need basis.
Patalano said the Parkersburg Fire Department has taken training for battery changes and is handling all of the clients that are able to be brought in for their monthly battery change.
“This is done at Station 1 and the children love coming there each month. Elaine Avery, director of the RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) has recruited three couples who have also been trained to do battery changes and have been sworn in as reserve deputies. They handle the in-home changes and drive the Project Lifesaver vehicle that was donated to the program by a very generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous. The Parkersburg Police Department’s first and second shifts have also been trained for battery changes and will be used on emergency calls if available,” Patalano said. “All in all we, and this includes Capt. Mark King and Sgt. Dave Westfall of the Wood County Sheriff’s Office and Sgt. Dave Byers, New Martinsville Police Department have trained 368 students in 16 states and 209 of those students are from West Virginia law enforcement, fire departments and first responders. We are so close to reaching our goal of providing peace of mind to all of the caregivers of West Virginia citizens who have a cognitive disability. To be able to offer this opportunity to so many individuals is so wonderful,” she said.
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