We are very fortunate at the COA to have an awesome volunteer group called the Circle of Friends. The program was founded in 2005 by Denise Saxton, in honor of her mother, to provide companionship to both home bound seniors and those living in assisted living centers. The vision was simple from the beginning but has expanded to focus on specific needs of the elderly. They have assumed the enormous task of making certain that those seniors on our COA “wait-list” are not forgotten.

We currently have 87 people who are on a “wait-list” for our programs and services. Some may remain on the “wait-list” for up to one year. They have identified two emergency response units (the Guardian Alert 911 and the X-10 Personal Alert Voice Dialer) that can be purchased and used in a senior’s home, but that do not require a monthly fee for services. The unit selected for use depends on the specific needs and abilities of the senior.

There are many different circumstances contributing to the need for a medical alert system. If someone is at risk of losing their independence, their opportunity to make choices, or they are alone for any part of the day or night, they are candidates for a personal alert system. By providing them with an alternative response unit, we are giving them a sense of not just being on a forgotten list of people waiting for funding. We are able to “bridge the gap” while they await our services and know that they will be safe in their own home.

The Circle of Friends has been visiting local services groups, such as Rotary and Civitans, the Newcomer’s Club, women’s clubs and churches to make them aware of the need and how their donations can help. They purchase, install and educate the senior and their family about the use of the unit. Since 2007, they have purchased and installed 21 units, thus removing those folks from the “wait-list”. However, the specific needs of 87 seniors is still of serious concern to the COA, their families and the local emergency response units such as fire and police.

A team of three people are trained to do the install and training in the home of the senior recipient. Three more volunteers are currently being trained. So, once the units are received by COA, the senior is contacted and the install is generally completed within the month.