Tips for Trainers

According to U.S. Census Bureau and Social Security Administration figures, we can anticipate a moderate increase in the elderly population until 2010, with a rapid increase between 2010 and 2030. In many communities, people over 65 account for a quarter or more of the population.

Seniors are an ideal audience for your CPR/AED and first-aid training efforts. Many are retired and have free time to take training courses. And according to the CDC’s 2000 National Ambulatory Medicare Care Survey, over half of the senior citizens in the United States have three or more chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. CPR training can prepare seniors to save a family member, a friend, or an acquaintance in case of a medical emergency. Seniors are also easy to reach. A few inexpensive flyers posted at choice locations like senior centers, churches, banks, and retirement communities will allow you to reach most members of this large community.

Already training seniors in adult CPR and first aid? Why not add a pediatric component to your training? A nationwide U.S. Census Bureau survey found that 5.6 million grandparents are living with grandchildren under the age of 18. Many act as primary caregivers, so it is important that they are trained in pediatric CPR and first aid.