A third of Butler County senior citizens live alone. If something happens to them, or they need help, where will they turn?
Building Bonds Neighbor 2 Neighbor, a new program the Retired Senior Volunteer Program is starting, will help solve the problem for many seniors, said RSVP Program Director Jennifer Rosener. A regular phone call, a caring listener and a friendly connection may save a life.
“A local senior citizen died and it was four days before anyone knew,” said Rosener, adding “this upset a lot of people.”
Rosener realized, “we need something like a telephone assurance program. The program will train volunteers on how to contact at-risk veterans and at-risk seniors.”
Seniors may fall through the cracks since they don’t want to bother or be a burden, she said. Seniors want to stay independent as long as they can. Volunteers bridge the gap. Due to circumstances, seniors are at greater risk of depression and feelings of isolation because of poverty and lack of social connectedness. They are also vulnerable to being the victim of elder abuse.
The volunteers will be trained on things to listen for when they make the calls to seniors and veterans throughout Butler County. They will have direct survey questions to go by and will be trained to listen for indicators the senior citizen is being abused, Rosener said. The abuse could include such things as someone taking their prescriptions or their food deliveries. Others issues might be a senior who has mobility issues and might be left on the couch or in bed for days getting bed sores.
Contact numbers will be collected so family or friends may be contacted if there is an emergency.
These are a few of the things the volunteers will be checking if they need food, help because of abuse or mental health issues. The volunteers will be trained in what service might be needed and which agencies can fill the gap for them.
The volunteers “will not be calling people who don’t want to be called,” Rosener said. “They will call seniors who call and say, ‘I would like to have your service’ or who are referred by an agency or a family member.”
Rosener said, “some seniors may say ‘I don’t get around very well,’ but they may still volunteer and make the calls from their homes or they may come to my office and volunteer. Many seniors already do this and others don’t have anybody.”
“A bonus of the program is seniors may build friendships,” she said. “People living in nursing homes may need a friend who calls so they know someone cares about them.”
Anyone interested in enrolling in the program to be called, or to volunteer, may call 573-686-8624 or stop by the RSVP office in the Twin Towers or email jennifer.rosener@thecrc.org. Office hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
RSVP is a part of Senior Corps and is sponsored by the Butler County Community Resource Council.