Links to Communities in Broward County
Broward County Senior Safety Neighborhood Awareness Project
This program is made available through a grant from The Community Foundation of Broward and a matching donation from American Medical Alert Corp. (AMAC).
Its a SSNAP
Why a Safety Awareness Program for Seniors?
Unintentional falls are a threat to the lives, independence and health of adults ages 65 and older. Every 18 seconds, an older adult is treated in an emergency department for a fall, and every 35 minutes someone in this population dies as a result of their injuries.
In 2000, the total direct cost of all fall injuries for people 65 and older exceeded $19 billion.1 The financial toll for older adult falls is expected to increase as the population ages, and may reach $54.9 billion by 2020 (adjusted to 2007 dollars).
According to the CDC, Falls and fires are preventable Through:
1. Education
2. Exercise programs
3. Medication management
4. Vision checking and improvement
5. Home hazard assessment and modification
The Role of SSNAP
Provide seniors, caregivers and protectors with cost effective tools that help keep seniors safe in their homes. The goal is to build a senior community sensitive to safety issues that they can easily control.
Internet Tools include:
1. A seminar guide
2. Safety Posters
3. Safety Checklists
4. Monthly Newsletter
5. Prescription management checklists and tips
6. Comprehensive Safety Booklets for both seniors living in Housing Facilities and those living at home
The secret to keeping seniors safe at home is ongoing seminars on different safety subjects. The SSNAP project is based on community seminars using the internet tools.
Results
A. Seniors live healthier and longer at home.
B. Healthcare costs are reduced for the community.
C. Which makes the SSNAP program very cost effective.
SSNAP Project
American Medical Alert Corp.
Elderly Housing Development and Operations Corporation
Senior Safety Online
