For 25 years Nathan Littauer Hospital's Lifeline program has touched the lives of seniors

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Maggie Luck holds a Lifeline button

• Help at the press of a button

GLOVERSVILLE, NY (04/09/2013)(readMedia)-- Nathan Littauer Hospital's Lifeline program has reached a major milestone this year. The medical alert program, managed out of the hospital is celebrating 25 years of service to seniors in our region. Laurence E. Kelly Littauer's President and CEO stated, "Lifeline is one of those programs Nathan Littauer provides that some people don't know about. Yet Lifeline greatly impacts the quality of life for thousands of local people."

Littauer's Lifeline is a medical alert system designed to reduce the risk of living alone. In the event of a fall or emergency, help is available at the push of a button. Since 1988, the LifeLine Littauer program has grown to over 500 subscribers serving thousands of people. Under the leadership and vision of Margaret Luck, Lifeline's Director since its inception the program is credited with helping countless people. Mr. Kelly explained, "Maggie has been a tireless advocate for this program personally touching the lives of people throughout this region." He added, "Not only is she passionate about elders and their independence, she has made it her life's work to bring needed services to people in their homes."

Lifeline offers people, usually senior, but some with other medical conditions, the confidence to continue to live independently at home. Nathan Littauer Hospital's Lifeline Program serves people in the Fulton, Montgomery, Hamilton County, and bordering communities in Herkimer and Saratoga Counties.

"We are proud to have touched the lives of seniors." said Maggie Luck, adding, "By offering Lifeline, we give seniors in our community a meaningful and needed service, allowing them to have the confidence to continue to live in the homes they love, knowing that help is available at a push of a button."

And Littauer subscribers agree, in a past survey program participants were asked what Lifeline meant to them and some responded, "Lifeline is so special, as I used to fall a lot. I walk slowly and watch every I step, but I feel safe with my Lifeline as I can get help when I need it. I will be 87 next month and I am still living at home. " Another wrote, "It also means my husband can do things or go places and I do not have to feel guilty. It gives him and I freedom. I am not afraid of being alone." Maggie Luck observed, "So many people cherish their independence. I am proud to help people live with dignity. So many family members- daughters and sons have increased peace of mind knowing that Lifeline can be there when they cannot. "

On average, one of every three adults over age 65 falls each year, making falls the most common cause of death or injury in the home – causing real concern for seniors and their caregivers. Lifeline is able to provide seniors with help at the push of a button which can make a significant difference in survival and recovery. Ms. Luck concludes, "Thousands of local people have stated, 'My Lifeline makes me feel safe.' That is a good legacy to have."

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Nathan Littauer Hospital and Family of Health Services serves Fulton, Montgomery and Hamilton Counties in Upstate New York with a full-service 74-bed acute care hospital, eight primary care centers, a nursing home and a community education center. The hospital was founded 1894, has 1,000 employees and recently opened a new Surgical Center. For more information please visit www.nlh.org.