Press Release-June 9, 2016

The Whitehouse Safety Services (Police & Fire Departments) are in the process of initiating a Senior Contact Program. In order to move forward with this initiative, we are checking with seniors and their family members to gauge if this type of program would benefit the seniors in our community.  Please review the program details listed below, and notify the Police Department at the contact information below if you have any questions or if this is a program you or your family member would be interested in participating. This program and its process will be finalized in the near future.

What is the Senior Contact Program?

The Village of Whitehouse Safety Service Departments (Police and Fire Departments) are in the process of initiating a Senior Contact Program. In this program, seniors who qualify will be contacted by a member of the Police or Fire Department by phone on a regular basis (Monday to Friday).

Who Qualifies?

Persons living alone who DO NOT have a caregiver, homemaker, etc. checking or visiting on a regular basis.  Participants in the Senior Contact must have two emergency contact persons living within a five (5) mile radius of the Village of Whitehouse.

Application Procedure

Persons who request or have been referred for this program will be interviewed by the staff of the Village Police or Fire Departments to determine suitability. Accepted applicants will be required to complete and sign the application/release form.

Referrals for this program will be taken from seniors within the Whitehouse community, family members, agencies and organizations working with seniors, or from individuals who are aware of seniors who live alone and could benefit from this program.

How Does the Senior Contact Program Work?

At a predetermined time every day (usually between 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., M -F), program participants will be called by telephone. The call will be brief – the intent is to ensure the person is okay (please remember this is not a casual social call).

If contact cannot be made (no answer), we will call back at least 2 times over one hour. If there is still no answer, one of the individuals listed as an emergency contact on the application form will be contacted. The person contacted must be willing to physically check on the senior to ensure all is ok. If the emergency contact persons cannot check on the senior, a police officer will be sent to the senior’s residence to check on his/her welfare.

Police officers/Firefighters can make periodic home visits, on an appointment basis, to provide information on crime prevention tips, personal safety, and inspect or install smoke detectors.

Who Do I Contact for More Information?

If you have additional questions, please contact Chief Mark McDonough at the Whitehouse Police Department at 419-877-9191, or Email: mmcdonough@whitehouseoh.gov