Parma’s Senior Safe at Home program grows

10/22/2013 Download PDF 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jeannie Roberts (440) 885-8181 (216) 346-9935

PARMA, Ohio - The City of Parma has approved a new three-year contract with ConnectAmerica.com LLC for the provision of telephone-based medical emergency response modules as part of its “Senior Safe at Home Program.” Parma City Council approved the contract Monday night.

The program offers these emergency systems at no cost to income-eligible senior citizens who live alone. This new three-year contract features an upgrade in technology that will allow the participant to be protected from medical emergency anywhere inside and outside of their home.

“The GPS technology in the new device will give our seniors that much needed added peace of mind knowing that they have immediate access to a live voice and emergency services anywhere they go,” said Mayor Tim DeGeeter. “And while the initial goal of this program was to keep seniors safe at home while living independently, this new technology could actually allow us to rename the program ‘Safe at Home and on the Go.’”

The program currently has a budget for 86 participants but with lower monthly rates received during the bidding process, the program will be able to add on up to 14 additional participants through 2016. Participants can choose the stationary monitor system for $23/mo. or the mobile device for $28/mo. The city’s Community Development Block Grant pays 100% of the monthly monitoring fees for the participant.

Those who may not be over age 65, may not meet the Federal income guidelines or who may be living with a spouse, ConnectAmerica.com has offered the same fee structure to all Parma residents. Interested residents are encouraged to contact the city Community Development Department at (216) 661-7372.