Health & Fitness
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In 2012, the Illinois Department of Transportation unveiled its new Yellow Dot Program. The Yellow Dot Program is designed to improve emergency care for persons involved in vehicle crashes by providing first responders with a full range of critical medical information.
Yellow Dot participants are supplied with a bright yellow decal for their car and a corresponding yellow folder. The Yellow Dot signifies to first responders that there is a folder in the glove compartment containing pertinent medical information about the driver of the car. Having access to this information helps first responders make informed decisions about emergency treatment.
“This is a great opportunity for older drivers to update their medical information and have a voice in their emergency treatment in the event of an accident,” said John K. Holton, Ph.D, director of the Illinois Department of Aging.
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The program is designed for anyone with a medical history or special medical needs.
“If paramedics and emergency medical workers know what medications a person is taking, or if a person has allergies or a chronic condition, they can make better decisions about treatment,” Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Craig Conover said.
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As a cooperating distribution center, the Elmhurst Park District has these packages available at the Abbey Leisure Center. The Abbey is located at 407 W. St. Charles Road (call 630-993-8913 for hours). There is no cost to particiapate in the program. For additional information, you can also go directly to www.yellowdotillinois.org
The Yellow Dot Program is similar to the program that the City of Elmhurst participates in, which is called SMART 911 and can found near the bottom left side of the city’s web page. Under the SMART 911 program, residents can confidentially register all of their vital medical history and information to either a cell phone, a home phone or both. This program works the same way, providing 911 operators and Elmhurst first responders with a full range of vital medical information about a resident.
These types of programs provide a great service for all Elmhurst families, not just our seniors.
