FieldHallMarch 1, 2019 -- Westchester County Executive George Latimer has announced that thanks to a generous donation, the Telehealth Intervention Program for Seniors (TIPS) Program will be coming to the Peekskill Senior Center. The Field Hall Foundation provided a $75,000 grant to Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS), to launch the lifesaving TIPS Program in the Peekskill community. TIPS, an initiative overseen by DSPS, provides weekly checks of vital signs for senior citizens by a trained technician. The grant will provide one full year of funding for the TIPS Program in Peekskill.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “This much needed grant money will allow Westchester County to expand the already successful TIPS Program to a new community, which has never before had these lifesaving services for seniors. This grant also allocates money for our exciting Fitbit Wearables Project, which has already reached the significant milestone of more than 12 million steps across the County by our TIPS participants.”

TIPS participants have their vital signs checked weekly by a trained technician. The data is transmitted to a nurse who reviews it remotely. If there is cause for concern, the nurse may contact the patient, caregiver or primary care physician directly. Participants leave each session with a “TIPS Sheet” that includes their vital signs, an explanation of results and relevant recommendations or referrals. This information helps seniors to manage their own health, and be proactive if they notice any changes. At the Peekskill Senior Center, Transportation will be provided for seniors to receive the services at no charge.

Commissioner of DSPS Mae Carpenter said: “Our mission is to help older people age in place successfully and enjoy life, and you can’t do that if you are not aware of, or not getting proper medical treatment. Older people have at least one chronic disease, and by measuring and keeping track of progress, as well as lack of progress, it impacts your quality of life. That goes against our mission, our vision and what we are in business for.”

CEO of the Field Hall Foundation John R. Ahearn said: “TIPS is a truly outstanding program. It aligns perfectly with the Foundation’s mission to improve the health and lives of older adults, and we are excited to be able to provide this grant to open a TIPS site right in our own backyard, at the Peekskill Senior Center.”

TIPS Project Director John Migliaccio, PhD said: “This generous grant to the Telehealth Intervention Programs for Seniors -TIPS- from the Field Home Foundation allows the program to expand its popular and effective health services to seniors in northern Westchester. We have been striving to reach seniors in Peekskill and surrounding communities for some time, and this grant allows them to fully participate in the TIPS program benefits of ‘Better Health at Your Fingertips.’”

Senior Nutrition Site Manager for the City of Peekskill Johnathan Zamora said: “The City of Peekskill Senior Nutrition Program is excited to add the TIPS Program to its service offerings for local area seniors. This needed program is critical to help seniors gather snapshots of their health and monitor their progress on a regular basis. We thank the Department of Senior Programs and Services and the Field Hall Foundation for implementing the program in Peekskill, and look forward to many years of successful collaboration.”

For more information about the TIPS Program, read the brochure contact DSPS at (914) 813-6408.

For more information about the Field Hall Foundation, visit their website