Video: One Sheriff’s Department Is Using A Phone Tree To Check On The Elderly

[bitsontherun Hc1eEwrp]

FULTON, Miss. (WCBI)-Just yesterday the Associated Press released a story about an 88-year old woman in Australia who spent three months lying in the floor with a broken leg before anyone came to her aid. One Sheriff’s department is using a daily call log to prevent that from happening in their community.

Two years ago…the Itawamba County Sheriff’s Department developed a program to improve the well being of their most beloved group, the elderly.

“Living in a rural county and working in a rural county we saw the need for our senior citizens in particular for us to keep up with them,” says Sheriff Chris Dickinson.

Each morning at the Itawamba County Sheriff’s Department, a dispatcher uses a call log to call the elderly throughout the community. If there is no answer the sheriff’s department will send deputy out to the home to see if anything is wrong.

“Relieves a lot of stress from the people that are home bound and it helps relieve stress from family members that have to work,” says Sheriff Dickinson.

Lula Mae Moore was the first to sign up for the call log when the program started. She says it gives her comfort while she is at home.

“Well, I live by myself and I’m cripple. I’m 92 years old. I have somebody I can call if I fall,” says Lula Mae Moore.

Thankfully, Lula has not found herself in a emergency situation, but she says the daily phone calls always make her smile.

“You know that someone is going to check on you every morning. They’re real nice. The ones that call. They always ask me how I’m doing,” says Moore.

If you live in Itawamba county, and find yourself wanting or needing a daily phone call from someone who cares, the sheriff’s department has you covered.

If would like to sign up for the program,  just call the Itawamba County Sheriff’s Departmnent.