With an extreme heat watch announced this week, it can be a difficult time for local seniors. They may be away from loved ones, in ill health, or have other reasons to be homebound during the hottest days. The Boulder City Police Department provides a check-in service for these members of our community, to monitor their well-being.
The You Are Not Alone (YANA) program provides a free service, through telephone calls and in-person visits, to city residents who live alone. “We will do whatever works best for our clients, at a frequency that makes them feel the most safe and comfortable,” explained program supervisor Pat Richardson, the volunteer coordinator with the Boulder City Police Department.
Remember, this service is available even if family and friends don’t live in Boulder City, or even in the state of Nevada. So if you have an elderly relative living in Boulder City, then this service is available.
Richardson said the Boulder City Police Department began the program in March 2018 in conjunction with the Boulder City Senior Center, and has had as many as 11 clients participating at a time. Because the numbers have dipped recently, he is hoping more people will take advantage of this opportunity. According to Richardson, the program not only provides the immediate benefit of insuring the well-being of those without a social network, there are several important secondary benefits as well:
Isolated people are at higher risk for exploitation from perpetrators who target older adults and those who lack social support. By staying connected to the community, participants can reduce the chance of being victimized.
Isolation can cause individuals to develop hoarding like behavior due to fear of running out of necessary items. Hoarding can lead to unsanitary and unhealthy living conditions. YANA volunteers can help reduce the feeling of isolation.
Anyone wanting more information about the program can contact Patrick Richardson at (702) 589-9603 or email him HERE. A registration form (HERE) and more information also can be found on the City’s web site HERE. YANA referrals can also be submitted by phone or email from friends and family who live elsewhere, but know someone in Boulder City who would be a candidate for the program.
It can give peace of mind to senior residents and the friends and family who care for them. Please consider your elderly neighbors and friends this week as the heat reaches some of the highest levels we’ve seen this summer. Heat related illness can be exacerbated in seniors. Certain medications could contribute to increased heat-related illness. For ways to beat the heat, click HERE. Additionally, there are two cooling centers in Boulder City:
- Boulder City Senior Center, 813 Arizona Street: this location offers a variety of activities in air conditioned comfort and accepts animals. Only one animal is allowed per person and they must be crated. This location is open Monday thru Friday from 10:00AM to 3:00PM daily. They are closed on weekends and holidays.
- Boulder City Library, 701 Adams Boulevard: this location is open Monday thru Thursday from 10:00AM to 8:00PM and Friday thru Sunday from 10:00AM to 8:00PM. Until Labor Day, the library opens at 9:00AM on Wednesdays for senior browsing. Animals are not accepted at this location. They are closed on holidays.
Let’s look out for our friends and neighbors!
