Hometown Hero: CONTACT Cape-Atlantic
By Cindy Fertsch
Imagine if you or your loved one is elderly, coping with multiple medical conditions and is living alone. What if something happened? What if they took a fall and were injured. Worst of all, what if no one knew?
Now imagine the tremendous reassurance you would feel knowing that someone was checking in on them everyday. That is exactly what CONTACT Cape-Atlantic does. They provide a daily ‘check-in’ phone call to older adults and disabled persons who are living alone. This allows them to remain independent in their own home, a goal of so many. The client is able to choose the time of day they would like to receive their call and that time remains consistent. If a phone call is not answered at the scheduled time, there are procedures each volunteer follows to ensure that the person is well.
The program was first established to keep in touch with older citizens living alone and to let them know someone cares about them. Now the program has grown to help anyone in need, regardless of age, have contact with another friendly person. Currently CONTACT Cape-Atlantic’s oldest client is 102 years old and their youngest is 46.
“A 99 year old woman in Galloway did not answer her scheduled check-in call. Next, we checked to make sure she was not in the hospital. When we learned she was not, we called her backup, a neighbor. When the neighbor went over to check on her, she found the woman had fallen and could not move. This is just one example of how vital these calls are,” explains Ann Magee , Executive Director of CONTACT Atlantic Cape. “Our volunteers make over 200 calls a day, seven days a week.”
Every day of the year, trained contact volunteers of all ages call people who are lonely, living alone or feeling isolated from their community. The volunteers are caring and can provide a comforting touch to someone’s day, while watching out for their total well-being. Many of the volunteers make the calls from home, but some prefer to come into the CONTACT Atlantic-Cape office, located in Northfield.
Another service offered is the Gatekeeper Program. Gatekeepers are public service workers or everyday citizens who are trained to recognize danger signs indicating an elderly or disabled person is at risk. When a problem is suspected, Gatekeepers will call CONTACT. The situation is then assessed and referrals are made for essential services such as delivered meals, medical care, homemaker services, transportation and financial assistance. Many senior citizens are unaware of the services that are available to help them. The Gatekeeper Program opens the door to services that may be vital to them.
If you or your loved one live in Atlantic or Cape May County and would benefit from this service, email contact-c-a@comcast.net or call 609-823-1850.
CONTACT Cape-Atlantic is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that relies on corporate sponsors and donations. The 28th Annual Spring Sensation sponsored by Mark Arbeit & Co is a fundraising event on April 5th at the Carriage House. If you would like more information or to purchase tickets call 609-823-1850 or contactcapeatlantic.org
