Town of Hunter to Organize Community Health Outreach for Seniors

TANNERSVILLE — The Town of Hunter held its regular Town Board meeting on Tuesday, September 24, where Town of Hunter Ambulance Administrator Ariel Woolheater provided a report on ambulance calls for August. Woolheater stated that there were a total of 51 calls, including one CPR death and seven refusals of medical care. "Out of those 51 calls, we canceled the medic twelve times," she explained, noting that the medic was required for twenty calls.

Woolheater also discussed an initiative she hopes to implement soon: a community health outreach for local seniors. "I have an idea," she said. "I want to do a health check day and start with our seniors in the area. We'd have them come to our station, do vitals checks, order weekly pill organizers if needed, and have them fill out emergency cards so all their information is readily available when needed. Just a little community outreach."

Woolheater proposed setting aside two days for this initiative, with an option to visit seniors who couldn't come to the station. "Just to ensure everyone is in good health," she said. The Town Board members were immediately supportive, with Supervisor Sean Mahoney and councilpersons Dolph Semenza and Ernie Reale expressing their approval.

Councilperson David Kukle asked if the outreach program had been budgeted, to which Woolheater responded that she had just come up with the idea and had yet to allocate funds. Reale inquired what would happen if an emergency call occurred during the outreach, and Woolheater replied that volunteers would help.

"This will help familiarize participants with the ambulance building and staff," said Semenza. "I think it's a great idea."

Mahoney encouraged Woolheater to move forward, stating, "Once you have something put together and pick a date, we will get it out there on social media and our website."

Woolheater mentioned the possibility of expanding the program if it proved successful. "If it's a success, we could open it up to others in the area," she said.

Reale emphasized the importance of the program, saying, "Something as simple as this could save someone's life." Woolheater added that during many calls they go on, seniors say they've forgotten to take their medications. "If we could hand out pill organizers, it would help," she explained. "It might save us a trip and help them get into a routine."

Mahoney concluded the discussion by giving Woolheater the Board's full support. "You have this Board's approval," he said, to which Woolheater expressed her gratitude.