The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office in Standish has started a morning check-in program for the town’s senior citizens.
Started in November of 2005, the program is designed to make seniors feel safe and cared for.
“This program is set up for seniors who live alone, have just been released from the hospital, or maybe don’t have any family in the area and are feeling lonely,” said Paul Pettengill, the Community Policing Deputy in Standish.
“It gives them the confidence of knowing someone is there to watch out for them,” Pettengill said.
Once involved in the program, seniors call a designated phone number between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. and speak to a dispatcher. If dispatch does not receive a call by 10 a.m., a dispatcher will call the participant to make sure they are okay.
In the event that there is no response an emergency contact person will be notified as well as a sheriff’s deputy who will then respond to the house for a wellness check.
“I think it’s a great program,” said personal care assistant Ann Butler. “I think any senior who lives alone should be part of it.”
Butler had one of her Standish clients sign up for the service.
“As soon as I heard about it, I gave Nancy (Kimball, her client) the information,” said Butler. “She was a little hesitant at first, but she is glad she joined the program now.”
“I love it,” said Kimball, a resident of Standish Village. “I feel a lot safer knowing that someone is there if I need them.”
Kimbal forgot to call dispatch one morning and left for an appointment. She returned home to find a Deputy at her house.
“That wasn’t too great,” said Kimball. “I had forgot to tell them about my appointment.”
“Sometimes they forget to call,” said Pettengill. “And that’s all right. We just want to make sure they are safe.”
If no one is home at the residence the deputy will leave a note asking them to call dispatch and let them know they are safe.
“The important thing is that they know someone is looking out for them,” said Pettengill. “That is really the whole point of the program.”
The program currently has seven participants, a number Deputy Pettengill hopes will increase.
“Senior citizens make up a large part of the Standish community and I want to make sure programs are available to them,” Pettingill said. “It’s my hope that eventually there will be enough participants that they will also volunteer to take the calls, and talk with people just like them. I believe it will bring the whole community closer.”
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