New medical alert cards available

Monmouth County Sheriff Kim Guadagno and state Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth and Mercer) are unveiling a new medical alert program that issues cards that can be lifesaving items during medical emergencies.

The program, a partnership involving the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, the Monmouth County Department of Human Services, Parents of Autistic Children (POAC) and Beck, helps individuals with medical conditions such as autism or Asperger’s syndrome, during an emergency.

“This card can be a lifesaver,” Guadagno said. “If someone with a medical condition is in an accident and can’t communicate, the card will provide all the necessary information so the proper medical help can be called upon immediately.”

Medical alert photo ID cards contain emergency information such as medical conditions, allergic reactions, doctor’s information and phone numbers. The card also indicates the medication an individual is taking.

“The inspiration for the card came about after one of my constituents contacted me,” Beck said. “Her son who has Asperger’s syndrome was involved in an accident and if he had a medical alert card the first responders would have been aware of his condition and better able to give him the proper medical attention. I contacted Sheriff Guadagno with the idea of extending the ID cards to people with autism or Asperger’s, and to her credit, she made it happen.”

The state Assembly approved a bill that provides similar medical cards and would be funded by the taxpayers.

“Our medical alert cards are provided at no cost to residents, and we thank Sen. Beck for identifying the need for these cards,” Guadagno said.

POAC is training police departments how to respond to someone with autism/Asperger’s syndrome.

“I think training opens the eyes of law enforcement officers. These medical alert cards are the first step in making police more aware of these situations,” said Manalapan Police Chief Stuart Brown, whose department recently received training from POAC.

The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office has been issuing child and senior identification cards for several years. To qualify for a medical alert card, written verification from a licensed physician indicating the person’s medical condition is required.