Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Seniors encouraged to submit vital information

Imagine this scenario - a senior citizen falls at home and is unconscious when officers arrive. The training to handle the situation is in place and the welfare of the victim is under control. What could take hours is locating family members.

The Nevada County Sheriffs Office is kicking off a project aimed at solving that problem. Nevada County Sheriff Bobby Carlton said the idea occurred to him while he was campaigning. He said he met many seniors who indicated they had no family nearby.

Some of them dont even have a car, he said.

Toward that end, Carlton will be utilizing two part-time workers through a federal program called Experience Works. The two will be working with the sheriffs office to compile information on each senior and disabled person in Nevada County.

Carlton said the idea is to create a database that will be computerized and immediately available to officers who are called to a residence for an emergency. The ultimate goal is to even tie the information to the 911 system, meaning officers and dispatchers will have the information before they arrive at the home.

In addition, the information will be used to help acquaint officers with those residents who are likely to need a helping hand on occasion. When patrol officers have time, theyll stop in to check on those residents.

Carlton said hes planning to leave sign-up sheet at several locations to make it easy for seniors to submit the necessary information. Anyone who wants to be included can pick up an information sheet at the Hamilton Blakely Senior Citizens Center, the sheriffs office and the Prescott Police Department. In addition, anyone can submit the necessary information by mail to the sheriffs office. The name of the person, his or her age address and phone number should be included on the letter. The name, phone number and address of anyone who is to be contacted in case of emergency should also be listed.

Finally, the persons medical information should be summarized. This information could include allergies, medical conditions and disabilities.

I think its very important, Carlton said, citing the large number of seniors in the community.

He said there are some citizens who have little mobility, are unable to leave home, unable to drive and without local family. In those cases, law enforcement authorities may be the first to notice if something is amiss. Carlton said he hopes to start a program of checking on those who have no one else to keep an eye on them. The database will also create a list of those most likely to need help.

And if they cant speak to us, well know who to call, Carlton said.