New program will monitor senior citizens

A new state program will provide 24-hour monitoring for thousands of Illinois senior citizens living independently in their own homes.

Using two-way pagers, the Emergency Home Response Service will automatically link more than 15,000 seniors to regional support centers that can quickly send for help in case of an emergency.

In the United States, one of every three persons age 65 and older falls each year, according to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths and the most common cause of injuries and hospital admissions for trauma.

To be eligible for the program, an individual must be an Illinois resident and 60 or older; have non-exempt assets of $17,000 or less; have a signed physician statement confirming need of service; and have an assessed need for long-term care.

To apply, call the Senior HelpLine at (800) 252-8966.