I would like to remind our residents here in the Town of Hempstead about a terrific program that is designed to help save lives in our vast senior citizen community. The program, known as "Vial of Life," provides a means for prompt and efficient emergency medical assistance for seniors.

A packet containing a plastic vial, a sheet for personal medical information, a sticker for the front door, and instructions, is given free of charge to any person who desires this service. The plastic vial containing the medical information form is placed under the top shelf of the refrigerator. The decal, which identifies the program, is pasted on the inside of the senior's front door. Emergency medical personnel will look for the decal and proceed to the senior's refrigerator to be provided with information that is important in assisting the person who is in distress.

The vials are distributed through senior citizen clubs and centers, local church groups and retirement or fraternal organizations. A speaker from the Town of Hempstead Department of Senior Enrichment is available to explain how the program works and to distribute the packets.

As part of this life-saving program, a health care proxy is contained in the Vial of Life packet. Seniors are being informed of the benefit of such a proxy at lectures being held at Town of Hempstead Senior Centers. The proxy gives an individual the right to choose a person or persons they trust to act on their behalf as their healthcare agent. These persons will have the authority to make all health care decisions, which have been discussed thoroughly prior to the signing of the proxy, in the event the person is unable to act for himself. Copies of this form should be made and passed out to health care providers and family members.

One of town government's primary concerns is for the health and safety of all our residents. That is why all the members of the town board and I urge all our senior citizens to become actively involved in this life-saving program. Call the Department of Senior Enrichment at 485-8100 for more information or to find out where you can receive your Vial of Life.