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Elderly Care Program
FOX Carolina
July 26, 2005
Greenville, SC - A dispatch center is usually on the receiving end for emergencies but recently they've making a lot of calls during these hot summer days. A program called, "Elderly Care" checks on senior citizens everyday via an automated phone messaging system.
Looking out for dozens of elderly throughout Greenville is actually the city of Greenville and it all happens right here from their dispatch center.
Here's how it works: Once you sign up for the elderly care program your name and number go into an automated system which calls you every day to make you're ok.
Eighty-two year old great, great grandmother Lola Rankin has been living alone for over thirty years. She says although her children and grandchildren call often the daily call from the city ever morning puts her mind at ease. "I'm by myself....sometimes they don't know if I'm dead or alive."
Lola's neighbors often stop by especially on hot days like today to check up on her but it's her phone, numerous fans, and AC she depends on to keep cool. "I pay my bill as soon as I get my social security check. You got to have electricity and water."
And if Lola doesn't pick up the phone the Elderly Care program doesn't stop there. She says, "They'll call me back, call my son, and my granddaughter."
The program's last resort if all else fails, a police officer shows up at your door. If you're interested in participating in this program all you have to do is call the Greenville City Police Department.
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