Alton’s Fire department has 2 programs specifically designed for seniors:

1. Free Smoke alarm replacement for residents age 65 and older, with alarms that have 10 year batteries so that they don’t have to get on ladders to change the batteries.

2.REMEMBERING WHEN program, The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) program designed to teach residents age 65 and older about fire and fall prevention. We implemented this program in 2013 and have documented the benefit of annual decreases in the number of residents that have had falls in their homes which lead to injury.

We deliver this program multiple times annually to residents of senior housing and audiences at Senior Services Plus. The City of Alton is growing in Health care services with the expansion of two hospitals along with the location of new Dr. offices and the improvement of access to recreation and green spaces. We tout a top notch Senior Services Plus program that offers a myriad of programming to include; Events and Activities geared toward seniors, a Foster Grandparent program to keep seniors interacting with young people, Home Care program to keep seniors in their homes as long as possible, Information and Assistance with state and federal programs, School of Dance keeping everyone active, Meals on Wheels that deliver meals on a daily basis to seniors, School House Grill offers nutrition on a daily basis, Travel to many destinations, Wellness and Fitness center to keep our seniors fit, Safe Connections that offers personal emergency response with 2 way communication, Ombudsman program that provides support and advocacy to seniors and disabled living in long term care facilities. The City of Alton also provides ambulance service and Madison County Transit offers public transportation as well as door to door service to seniors. Lewis and Clark Community College offers tuition free classes for those over 65 years of age. To address our senior population, our community recently convened a Community Forum on Livability comprised of a diverse group, including executives from non-profit providers, health agencies, funding agencies, policy makers, and academia. Our goal is to ensure our aging neighbors have the resources to be healthy, independent and integrated into community life.