by Glen Korstrom
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 01/98) - The Elks Lodge has donated $6,750 to keep 30 local seniors worry-free.

The money will go to the Yellowknife fire department to buy 30 seniors emergency alerting system units.

The firefighters will then distribute the devices.

The units come in two parts. One part connects to the phone while the other is worn around a person's neck.

In the case of emergency, all a senior has to do is clutch the pendant portion of the unit, which is worn around their neck, and press a button.

The unit attached to the phone then automatically dials the fire department's emergency line and repeatedly plays a message until it is acknowledged.

The message identifies the location and the vital nature of the call.

Dave Hurley, general manager of the Elks lodge, made the gift known at a Baker Centre luncheon April 24 and deputy fire chief Mike Lowing made a presentation to seniors.

"Seniors are wanting to live independently and this will allow them to," Lowing said.

"People will be able to get help within about three and a half minutes."

The units will also emit a squeal to alert anyone within earshot, such as neighbors so they can be first on the scene.

Because the fire department expects demand to be high, Lowing said he would sift through applications all at one time to determine the 30 seniors most in need.

"It's not that we want to be picking, but there may be one (senior) who is at a more substantial risk."

Recipients must be at least 65 years old and living alone or spending a significant part of the day alone in Yellowknife or Ndilo. They also must have a phone line.

A medical condition increases a senior's chance of receiving the pendants. So does a history or likelihood of sudden falls, incapacitation and unconsciousness.

For seniors determined to live on their own, Lowing said the units will help alleviate any worry they or their families have about their safety.