CALEB NICKERSON
SHAWVILLE Feb. 25, 2019
The Shawville Rotary Club is investing $1,100 in a program to help give local seniors living alone some peace of mind.
The program, organized through the Golden Peak, lends out alert bracelets and pendants that can sense when the wearer has had a fall. Program director Louise Belec said that these items are available for sale, but the cost can be prohibitive for some.
“Those are companies that are there to make profit, because they charge monthly fees,” she said. “We’re a non-profit organization and what we’re doing is, we’re buying these machines and we’re lending them out.”
Instead of calling a dispatcher like most consumer versions of the bracelets, these devices call a list of preset emergency contacts.
“What this machine does is calls four people: preferably two neighbours, then family,” Belec explained. “The reason being is [the neighbours are] close.”
The bracelets and pendants are also connected to a speakerphone on the wall of the users home, allowing them to speak with their contact to let them know what the situation is.
“It gives you such a sense of security,” said Rotary Club President Sue Page, who uses one of the devices herself. “If something happens, something small, like say I get my fingers caught in the door, I know that if I press it I’m calling neighbours … They’ll come, and then we’ll decide if I go by ambulance or not. Quite often, you don’t need it.”
The Golden Peak currently has 83 machines to lend out, but Belec said that the program is so popular there is a sizable waiting list. The Rotary’s donation will allow them to purchase two more devices.
“Pontiac, people live far in between,” Belec said. “The need is big here. I have a list of 40 to 50 people waiting right now.”
