Everyday Heroes
By Arlene Jensen
Ruth Ahrendt
If Ruth Ahrendt had her way, all senior citizens in Kenosha County would have a File of Life hanging on their refrigerator doors.
Though called a file, it’s only one page of vital medical information. It includes a list of medications, medical conditions, allergies, doctor’s name and phone number and people to contact in case of an emergency.
“If you need to be taken to the hospital, the file goes with you,” says Ahrendt. “All of that information is instantly available to the emergency room staff.”
Ahrendt is one of the volunteers from RSVP, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, working to spread the word about File of Life.
You may not think you need a File of Life, but here some questions to ask yourself:
Are you 60 or older? Are you disabled? Do you live alone? Do you have a medical condition? Do you take any medications? Do you have any allergies?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, you need a File of Life. And by the way, it’s free.
Getting started is as easy as making a phone call to Pat Mich at 262-658-3508, extension 123. A trained volunteer like Ruth will help you fill out a form with your health and medication information, then follow up with you every six months to make sure the file is still current.
Then RSVP completes the process, entering the data in a computer file. If an emergency should arise, the 911 system will alert paramedics to check your refrigerator door for this critical medication and health information. So far, some 400+ Kenosha County seniors are registered in the program.
Eighty-six-year-old Ruth Ahrendt is a firm believer in the File of Life program and every week she helps others take advantage of this potentially lifesaving RSVP service.
Born and educated in Racine, Ruth Jensen attended Moore’s Business College before going to work for the Baumann Coal Co. After marrying Frank Criplean, they lived on a farm near Ives Grove, where her two children were born. She later worked for the Internal Revenue Service for five years.
Her husband Frank passed away in 1967. She was re-married in 1971 to Arthur Ahrendt. He died five years ago. Her son, David died in an accident in 1964. Today, her family consists of her three daughters, Kay, Bonnie and Beth, 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
In 1958, Ruth embarked on a career at First National Bank of Kenosha. She was appointed vice president and trust officer in January 1978, and has the distinction of being the first Kenosha woman to hold such an executive position with a local bank.
Ruth spends eight to ten hours a week on the File of Life project and also does clerical work at the Alzheimer’s Association of Southeastern Wisconsin office at UW-Parkside. She also volunteers at her church, Friedens Evangelical Lutheran, where one of her pet projects is making diapers for the Central Africa Medical Mission.
Besides volunteering, she has plenty of other activities. She bowls, golfs and enjoys daily walks.
Last June, she was the second oldest walker participating in the Kenosha Area Family and Aging Services Inc. (KAFASI) “Walk for the Health of It” fundraising event. She was pleased to finish the three-mile walking course and is looking forward to repeating again next summer.
And when she has a few spare moments in her busy life, Ruth can be found at her computer, creating her own birthday, Christmas and other greeting cards with a special personal touch.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities and programs like File of Life, please visit KAFASI on-line at www.kafasi.org.
