Help available for seniors during COVID-19 pandemic

EAGLEVILLE » For senior citizens who may be feeling the extreme effects of isolation during the coronavirus pandemic, Montgomery County officials said help is available.

The county’s Office of Senior Services is continuing to accept referrals for services during the pandemic, according to county

Commissioner Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr. Assessments for services, Lawrence added, are being conducted over the telephone.

“If you suspect abuse, neglect, financial exploitation or abandonment of a person over the age of 60 please call our protective services hotline at 1-800-7342020,” Lawrence said during a recent news briefing at the county Emergency Operation Center in Lower Providence.

The county office also is offering “well calls” for Montgomery County residents age 60 and over.

“We know a lot of seniors are home alone right now and the purpose of these calls is to prevent the feeling of isolation that some are feeling during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Lawrence said.

Those who would like to make a referral for the services can find an application on the county’s web site at www.montcopa. org/seniorservices or obtain more information by calling the office at 610-278-3601 to leave a message for an enrollment specialist to start the referral process.

Officials said the Montgomery County Office of Senior Services is committed to enhancing the lives of residents age 60 and over and their families through advocacy, education and provision of programs designed to meet the unique needs of the population. Through partnerships and collaboration, officials said, the goal is to increase awareness associated with the aging process and provide an optimal experience for county residents.

“And for any citizens in Montgomery County, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or having a mental health emergency, you can call the Montgomery County Mobile Crisis Unit. It’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Lawrence said.

The crisis unit can be reached