Friday, December 17, 1999
Porch-light beacons speed aid to seniors
Food, treats also are given out
BY DAVID ECK
Enquirer Contributor
HAMILTON — Nearly 100 Butler County senior citizens received an early Christmas present on Thursday that could help them in an emergency.
Butler County sheriff's special deputies and volunteers installed emergency beacons in the seniors' porch lights. In an emergency, the beacons can be set to flash, allowing rescue crews and others to quickly find the house.
Mercy Hospital bought 200 of the special $20 lights, which were installed at the homes of 98 seniors.
“It's such a wonderful idea, such a wonderful project,” said Karen Lowery, coordinator for Mercy's GoldenLife Program. “It fit into the GoldenLife mission, which is to enhance the quality of life and promote dignity and respect for older adults. It seemed to be a perfect fit for us to do something like this.”
In addition to the lights, the seniors received packages of food items and treats, said Butler County Sheriff Detective Sgt. Mike Craft. The seniors are part of a local organization called TRIAD sponsored by the Butler County Sheriff's Office, the Ohio Crime Prevention Association and the American Association of Retired Persons. The group, which charges no fees, provides services to seniors and keeps tabs on them to make sure they are OK.
The Butler County group was started in 1996, and in 1997 began its “Are you OK?” program, in which a computer phones the 98 seniors every day to check on them. If no one picks up the phone after three attempts, the police are automatically sent to the per son's home.
“For so many years we ignored the people that gave the most to us,” Det. Sgt. Craft said. “They're the ones that need the most attention. The response is just unbelievable.”
For some seniors who live alone and have no one to watch them, the contact is sometimes the only communication during a week, said Cleo Ketay, program assistant for the program.
“I've had people tell me they wish they had it before,” she said. “Most of them don't have anybody.”
The local group also operates a clearinghouse of information on contractors that have done work for seniors. The seniors' evaluations of the contractors are available to other elderly people in the area, Sgt. Craft said.
“We've always overlooked the seniors,” he said. “I think we're giving a lot back to the seniors now.”
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