A friendly voice for seniors living on their own

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ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. — Senior Check In is an outreach program managed by the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office that connects seniors who live alone with background-checked volunteers who call them once a week, just to check in.

If the volunteer is unable to reach the senior after three attempts, emergency contacts are notified, or officers are dispatched for in-person wellness checks.

“I absolutely feel like this program could save a life,” said Lea Harms, Arapahoe County Communications Supervisor. “It has all the potential in the world to provide a senior with someone — and help that they didn’t ask for but might need — in the event of a fall or serious medical event.”

Harms said that 25% of American seniors live alone, and they are being further isolated by by the pandemic.

“I think COVID has been a huge detriment to the senior population,” Harms said. “Because the classes that they normally do…the socialization that they normally have, they really haven’t had.”

Kathleen States is a participant in the program and spoke with RMPBS from her patio.

“It’s just nice to know that someone is checking in with you on a weekly basis,” States said. “One more friend in the network, that’s the important part.”

During the program’s first year – coinciding with the pandemic – volunteers reported seniors discussing depression and other mental challenges.

“The mental health aspect is really important,” Harms said. “Especially now with seniors being even more isolated because of COVID, a weekly call is like a warm cup of coffee on a nice day.”

Seniors can enroll in the program online.

Statewide resources:

Colorado's State Unit on Aging provides assistance and funding to 16 local "Area Agencies on Aging" that provide regional community-based services to seniors and their caregivers.

The Colorado Association of Area Agencies on Aging provides information on each local agency, and an overview of the services they provide.

Denver Metro Area resources are catalogued on the Network of Care website managed by the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG).

The nationwide outlook (and a bit of good news):

The National Council on Aging warned that seniors living alone may be at greater risk of financial instability due to the pandemic, compared to seniors living with others – and that the number of seniors living alone is likely to increase as more older individuals are widowed by the pandemic.

On a positive note, PBS NewsHour reported that older generations may be the most resilient, and least mentally impacted by COVID-19: “New pandemic-time research suggests that despite the increased vulnerability in becoming seriously ill if they contract COVID-19, older people are managing the best out of everyone on the mental and emotional front.”

Though partially based on seniors’ life circumstances — being less dependent upon employment — the article also attributes the positive outlook to a better ability to cope with challenging life circumstances, a resilience that comes with experience and age. While physical health tends to deteriorate with age, mental health tends to improve.

Links and Resources: