DEAR DR. GOTT:
I read with interest your answer to the elderly woman seeking attention to her daily well being. While I wholeheartedly endorse Lifeline, the system is of little service to a victim who is unconscious or worse.
However, there is another resource available for the elderly and physically challenged who can monitor their well-being no matter what their status. In my Township, it is called Operation ReAssurance and it does so by putting participants in daily telephone contact with police division personnel.
As administrator of our free program I have all too often seen its effectiveness whenever the worst should occur, but I have also been personal witness to its having saved more than three dozen lives over the past 20 years. Moreover, beyond a verification of well being, a police division operated program can provide seniors with timely updates about fraud or other crimes being perpetrated upon their community.
I encourage all police departments to establish similar programs. If any police department personnel would like more information about the program or wants to learn how to start one, they can contact me at 609-581-4033 or 609-581-4034. I also urge all seniors or physically challenged individuals to contact their local police departments to determine if this type of program is available.
DEAR READER:
Thank you for writing to share this information. I would also like to encourage my readers to find out if their community offers similar programs and if not, urge their police departments to start one. It can be a life-saving and invaluable assistance to the elderly and physically challenged.
About Dr. Gott