Fall prevention kits now available for seniors at no cost
EL CENTRO — More than 400 kits containing tools to help prevent accidental falls inside a home are now available for Imperial Valley senior citizens at no cost.
As part of its new Dignity at Home fall prevention program, which started Monday, the Imperial County Area Agency on Aging will be providing 424 of these kits for free to seniors who qualify.
Each kit contains one anti-slip bedside mat, a set of four nightlights and one bathtub/shower self-install rail or an adjustable bath and shower chair.
Recipients must be 60 years old or older, and live within the cities of Brawley, Calexico, Calipatria, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial or Westmorland, or the outlying communities of Bombay Beach, Heber, Niland, Ocotillo, Palo Verde, Salton City, Seeley and Winterhaven.
A recipient’s annual household income must not exceed $35,823 to qualify.
Recipients can expect to receive their box once the application is completed and eligibility is determined and approved, AAA Director Rosie Blankenship said.
An application must include proof of income to be considered complete. Seniors may pick up their items by appointment only, or delivery of items can be arranged.
Those interested in applying for a free kit may contact Marisol Luna, information and assistance coordinator, at (442) 265-7040 or AAA’s main office at (442) 265-7030.
The application process consists of an assessment of about 12 questions; seniors will be asked their date of birth and current annual income.
The Dignity at Home program is the first fall prevention program under the IC AAA, Blankenship noted. Funding was made available with the approval of Assembly Bill 74.
The mission of the program is to reduce the number of debilitating falls suffered by older adults and persons with disabilities.
As part of the program, 100 free Medical Alert push-button systems are also available.
Those interested may call the IC AAA and apply now; however, these devices are being reserved for seniors in greatest need.
Each device will be mailed and installed once an application is approved and the assessment of need is completed, Blankenship explained.