Sheriff’s program checks up on elderly

‘Are You OK?’ available for senior citizens

Over the past few months, the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous calls requesting welfare checks on elderly people who have not been seen or heard from by family members or friends. Unfortunately, in many of these cases, the welfare checks led to the discovery of these people in severe medical distress.

Since these types of calls have increased, the sheriff’s office wanted to take the opportunity to remind the public of the “Are You OK?” Program, which was launched in September 1996 and is available to all senior citizens and disabled persons living anywhere in Yuma County.

The “Are You OK?” Program is a free telephone reassurance service provided by the sheriff’s office that ensures daily contact with senior citizens and disabled persons that live alone and may not have a family member living locally that can check on them every day.

“Are You OK?” helps to reassure the subscriber’s well-being and give them a feeling of security.

The “Are You OK?” computer system is located in the Sheriff’s Office Communications

To subscribe to the “Are You Ok?” Program, participants must meet the following criteria: • Live in Yuma County. • Have a telephone (landline or cellular)Live alone (couples will be considered on a case-by-case basis).

• Are over the age of 60; or have a medical condition that requires them to be confined to their residence; or have any other condition as deemed appropriate by the program administrator on a case by case basis.

Yuma County citizens meeting the eligibility criteria listed above must also meet the following program requirements:

Department (Dispatch) and is monitored by dispatchers. The system consists of a dedicated computer, telephone, and the “Are You OK?” software.

The computer stores subscriber names, phone numbers and call times. The system is designed to run 24/7 and automatically cycles everyday at midnight.

The system makes computer-generated calls to subscribers at their predetermined time each day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. If the subscriber is OK, they simply hang up the phone after hearing the pre-recorded message.

If the subscriber does not answer or if the telephone line is busy, the computer will call the subscriber a second time. If there is still no answer or the telephone line stays busy after the sec-

• Must complete an “Are You OK?” Field Interview Form. The form includes a waiver of liability allowing a Deputy or Sheriff’s Office volunteers to enter the home by forced entry if necessary in order to confirm the safety and welfare of the subscriber.

• Must have at least two people (such as relatives or neighbors) that possess keys to the subscriber’s residence in close proximity and available in the mornings.

• Must notify the Sheriff’s Office when they will not be home to answer the “Are You OK?” phone call (out of town, doctor’s appointment, etc.).

ond attempt, the computer will issue an alert and generate a printout with the subscriber’s name, address and other pertinent information.

Upon receiving the alert, a dispatcher will attempt to contact the subscriber by phone to check on their welfare. If the dispatcher is unable to make contact with the subscriber, a deputy will be dispatched to the residence to check on the welfare of the subscriber or the appropriate agency will be contacted to request a welfare check.

Since the program’s launch, several lives have been saved as a result of subscribers not being able to answer their daily “Are You OK?” call.

Applications for the “Are You OK?” Program are available at the YCSO Main Office, Foothills Substation, online at www. yumacountysheriff.org/ forms.html or by calling the YCSO Volunteer Office at 928-819-2212 or 928-8192213.

If you or someone you know would benefit from daily contact with the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, or for more information, contact Sgt. Scott Bjornstad at 928-819-2212 or visit https://www.yumacountysheriff.org/servicesruok.html

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.