Oakville, WA -- More and more Americans are turning to personal response systems from providers like Link to Life to ensure that they or their loved ones can get emergency help, 24 hours a day, at the touch of a button.

A few weeks ago, Virginia Merryfield, 76, of Oakville, WA, was unconscious and not breathing. Her caregiver began giving her CPR, but the phone was too far away to call for help. Virginia’s caregiver immediately pushed the Link to Life button that Virginia always wore around her neck. Within seconds, a helpful voice came over the speakerphone of the communicator unit. While relaying the details of the situation, her caregiver was able to continue giving her CPR without interruption. Luckily, Virginia started breathing again and, within ten minutes, the ambulance was there.

Studies show early CPR within the first three to five minutes after collapse, and early advanced care, can result in higher long-term survival rates. Virginia was grateful for the help provided by Link to Life. “If my caregiver hadn’t been able to push my Link to Life button, we would not have been able to reach 911 for help. She was giving me CPR and there was no one else here. My Link to Life saved, or helped to save, my life. It also gave my caregiver relief that she wasn’t alone.”

A leading national personal response provider since 1979, Link to Life has helped hundreds of thousands individuals live safely at home. The Response Center operators specialize in providing emergency assistance as well as reassurance and personal reminders. The trained Response Center operators respond swiftly and compassionately, especially with aging or frail subscribers who may suffer from a variety of medical conditions. Link to Life’s service also provides an extra measure of safety and peace of mind for anyone who lives alone. Subscribers simply press their help button whenever they need assistance. Link to Life’s immediate, personalized response is patient, caring, and quickly summons the help needed, even if the subscriber is unable to speak or reach the phone.

Gray’s Harbor Community Hospital on 915 Anderson Drive, Aberdeen, WA, refers patients seeking a personal emergency response provider to the Link to Life program. For more information, please call 360-537-5149.

For more information about Link to Life, call 1-800-338-4176 or visit their website at http://www.link-to-life.com.

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