THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2008

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Village Wants To Lend Seniors Extra Hand

Kelly Mickle, director of the Niles Senior Center, envisions a push button system for seniors in the village to summon help quickly.

"We're looking for a program that could protect seniors that are living alone," Mickle said. She presented the system at the village board meeting on Tuesday, Apr. 22. "It was the mayor's idea," she added.

Mickle explained she is looking at a system by Lifeline and she plans to meet with representatives of that company on Thursday, May 1. "Nothing's been finalized," she said. However, she hopes to supply the system to qualifying seniors through the village.

The system would be for seniors over the age of 80 who live alone. She expects negotiations with the company will lead to the opportunity for individuals under the age of 80 getting the program at a reduced rate.