When Maureen StevensB次元官网网址� mother-in-law passed away, she decided it was time for a change when it came to her family.
Her father-in-law, who was a social butterfly, had recently lost his drivers licence due to old age and refused to be cooped up in his Langford home by himself. In the mornings, he would fire up his scooter and use it to get around and visit friends.
But Stevens, a Colwood resident, found it difficult to keep in contact daily with him to ensure he was healthy and safe. ThatB次元官网网址檚 when she found out about the Keep In Touch program.
B次元官网网址淚f he didnB次元官网网址檛 have this program, he could be seriously hurt in his home and we wouldnB次元官网网址檛 know,B次元官网网址� said Stevens, who has since become a volunteer with the program.
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As part of the Keep in Touch program, which runs out of the West Shore RCMP detachment on Atkins Avenue, volunteers make calls at specific times to patients on the West Shore B次元官网网址� most of whom are seniors, live alone or in assisted living facilities, or have medical issues B次元官网网址� to check on their well-being.
Patients are responsible for advising volunteers if they will out be during the call time. However, if volunteers call and thereB次元官网网址檚 no response, they phone the patientB次元官网网址檚 emergency contact. If no one knows where the patient is, the volunteer calls the RCMPB次元官网网址檚 dispatch centre and an officer is sent to check on their well-being.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 for people who, quite often, donB次元官网网址檛 have family members and or even friends,B次元官网网址� said Heather Allan, community policing section clerk with the West Shore RCMP.
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ItB次元官网网址檚 a program that started roughly 24 years ago, and, after jumping around to various locations, eventually partnered with the local RCMPB次元官网网址檚 community policing section in 2004. Since then, it has grown with roughly 13 volunteers, many of whom have been volunteering for more than five years, calling the roughly 31 patients on the list daily.
At times, it has helped save lives. About a year ago, a patient had a stroke while on the phone with a volunteer, who was able to call 911.
Aside from checking on the well-being of patients, volunteers create a connection with clients as well.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just being able to talk to somebody and make them feel comfortable and make them feel that theyB次元官网网址檙e wanted,B次元官网网址� said program co-ordinator Donna Ensor, who has been volunteering with the program for the last 16 years. B次元官网网址淪ome of them, you just let them talk and some they want to talk to you.B次元官网网址�
Volunteer Karen Crowther agreed.
B次元官网网址淚t brings me up. You get to meet friends over the phone and you get to know someone. You know what they like and dislike,B次元官网网址� she said.
To volunteer with the Keep in Touch program or if you or someone you know wants to be included on the list, call the office at 250-474-8791.
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