The period after the holidays can be a lonely time for seniors in our town. They may be away from loved ones, in ill health, or have other reasons to be homebound during in the New Year. The Boulder City Police Department provides a check-in service for these members of our community, to check on their well-being.
The You Are Not Alone (YANA) program provides a free check-in 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. It can give peace of mind to senior residents and the friends and family who care for them.