Earlier this year, Reston resident Peggy Dickson, came down with what she thought was just a simple sinus infection.

After some convincing, her daughter Lisa Petit rushed her to Moosomin Hospital. In the end she was very ill due to double pneumonia.

But before leaving for the hospital, Peggy grabbed her Emergency Response Information Kit (E.R.I.K.) off her fridge to take along in her purse.
The ERIK contains invaluable information regarding health and medical status that is readily available for ambulance attendants should they be called to your home. A small red circular sticker is placed on the outside door, which alerts ambulance personnel to the kit which is magnetically attached to the fridge.

In Peggy’s case her E.R.I.K. was handed over to the nurses in Moosomin Hospital where they were able to gather Peggy’s health information immediately. Peggy’s daughter was also happy to have it and not have to rely on memory as Peggy was soon too sick to communicate any necessary medical information.

Peggy was then transferred to Regina, as she needed more intensive care. Soon after Peggy was put into an induced coma.
At this stage, ERIK again played a critical part.

Lisa’s brother Terry and sisters Barb and Lynn were aware of their mother’s wishes because she had filled in her Health Care Directive. Peggy had filled in the section on Advance Care Planning and this gave her children the direction they needed to proceed if Peggy’s health worsened.
With ERIK you can name a designate, called a Health Care Proxy, to proceed with medical decisions on your behalf when you lack the capacity to do so for yourself.

Peggy’s condition became grave and according to Lisa, having her mother’s decisions and wishes already laid out for them, took a lot of pressure off the children. They were able to concentrate on more immediate things and help to keep their mother comfortable.

Peggy has fully recovered and is grateful for the services provided from Seniors Helping Hands to enable her to live is safe and secure in her home.

Along with the ERIK, the use of the Congregate Meal Program, and the Lifeline Emergency Response System, which is a 24-hour on call system, Peggy’s family is relieved to know that their mother can get help if she needs it 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

ERIKs are available free of charge from Seniors Helping Hands through donations made by service clubs.