The Vital Information Program is a program that has been serving Quesnel for the past six years.
Seniors’ advocates Susan MacNeill and Ruth Scoullar were first introduced to the VIP at a seniors conference in Vancouver.
Initially funded through a New Horizons Seniors Community Participation and Leadership Fund, the Seniors’ Advocacy Service has provided these vials through their office ever since.
“The program can supply a Vital Information vial into every postal registered home in Quesnel and surrounding area, with up to 9,000 homes,” MacNeill says.
“We have distributed approximately 8,500 in the past six years and have about 500 still available.”
The concept is simple. A prescription-like vial, containing vital medical information about the residents (householders fill out their own information), is stored in the door of the fridge.
A sticker is affixed to the outside of the appliance, in plain sight of emergency personnel, a neighbour, spouse, even for a child, letting them know this critical information is readily available and can accompany the patient to the hospital.
One vial can accommodate up to six household members and up to four pets. This program enhances the emergency preparedness program in our city.
The vial is kept in the fridge, as virtually every household has one, the appliances are watertight, light resistant and often fireproof and usually centrally located in the home.
“It’s also recommended people have a duplicate vial in their recreation vehicle and vacation home, possibly even in their wallet, as medical emergencies don’t all happen at home,” MacNeill says.
“We can supply these extra vials. We also recommend people update the vial information twice a year. It’s really easy to tie that updating to daylight savings time in spring and fall.”
However, MacNeill adds this program is not for one-time medications, such as antibiotics, but rather for chronic conditions and ongoing medications.
Again, the vials are available at the Seniors’ Advocacy Office in West Park Mall, where any questions you may have can also be answered.
The office is open Tuesday and Thursday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., or phone 250-992-9330 for information.