Hanging an ERIK on fridge can save your life

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This article was published 04/06/2021 (1819 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Having ERIK hang out on your fridge could save your life in a medical emergency.

The short form of Emergency Response Information Kit, an ERIK is hands-down the most important thing anyone who lives alone, is 55-plus in age, living with chronic illness or a disability can have, according to Martin Landy, senior resource co-ordinator with the South Winnipeg Seniors Resource Council.

“If you are having a medical emergency, perhaps a fall or a stroke, and cannot speak for yourself, the kit gives the paramedics your medical history and information on your medications,” Landy said. “We found that the simplest place to put the kit is on the front of the fridge, and first responders know to look for it there.”

Landy said the kits were initially developed in 2002 by a paramedic in conjunction with the Boni-Vital Council for Seniors. Today, the kits are kept up by a council of 12 senior resource finders, of which Landy serves as committee chair.

“We’re constantly making improvements to the kits, including a pair of new door stickers, one of which lets the first responders know you speak French, and the other to let them know you’re hard of hearing,” Landy said, adding a future improvement will include a gender-neutral option. “If someone wants either or both of the new stickers, they will have to request them when picking up a kit.”

Each kit is distributed to individuals for free, and the council charges $2 per kit if an organization wants to order in bulk. Kits can be picked up at any one of the locations shown at wrha.mb.ca/support-services-to-seniors/seniors-resource-finders/

Completed kits have a health information form including name, address, health card numbers, next of kin, family physician, medical history, allergies and medications.

“It’s important that everyone who has a kit keep their information up to date,” Landy said, adding blank health information forms can be downloaded from the City of Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Service website at https://bit.ly/3fPqdzD