Muintir na Tíre is a proud and long term supporter of the Seniors Aert Scheme. We are encouraging our groups to take three actions:
- Register
- Promote
- Test
Register
If your group is not already registered, please consider doing so. There are enormous benefits to the older and vulnerable residents in your community. There is relatively little effort required from the group and you receive a €10 administration fee for each person you sign up. Some groups use this to cover much of their running costs.
Promote
If you offer the Seniors Alert Scheme do members of your community know this? This is particularly relevant to more isolated people who may not be aware of what is available in the community. Why not have a simple annual plan to promote the scheme? This might include:
- A note in the local newsletter.
- A piece in your local newspaper notes.
- Posters in community areas – church, hall, shops, etc.
Sample posters are available to print from the Pobal website. Please ensure you include contact details.
Test
The only thing worse than having no alarm is relying on one that doesn’t work when you need it. Please encourage all users to regularly test their alarms. The monitoring stations do not mind receiving calls simply to check the system is working. One simple aide memoir is to ask people to test once a month on their birth date (eg the 10th of every month). This also means monitoring stations are not receiving a deluge of calls if everybody used the same date every month.
Background
Seniors Alert is available through groups who register with Pobal.
The Seniors Alert Scheme (SAS) has been established to encourage community support for vulnerable older people in our communities. It provides funding for a personal monitored alarm, connected to a contact centre to enable older persons of 65 or older and of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind.
The Scheme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development via Pobal with equipment made available through community, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations registered with Pobal under the SAS.
To find out more about the scheme you can contact your local registered organisation.
