Enrollment in check-in services for seniors remains low

Seniors, especially those who live alone, are at risk of injuring themselves without the ability to call for aid. Although many local police departments offer free daily check-in services, many seniors do not take advantage of this potentially lifesaving tool—but why?

These programs involve daily automatic phone calls to ensure seniors are responsive and not in need of services. These services are inexpensive and important for seniors living alone.

“It helps ensure for the elderly person or their family that a phone call is being made every morning, that everything is OK. We’ve gotten incredible feedback on this program,” said Jack Vaccaro, commander of the Lighthouse Point Police Department in Florida, which has nine seniors enrolled in its automated daily call program.

Still, many seniors remain hesitant to utilize these tools. Read the story below to see why: