ASK CAPPIE THE COMPUTER CAT
AUTOMATED CALLING PROGRAM A recent SCG email described a City of Surprise automated calling program for seniors and homebound residents. How does that work exactly? Nancy Yes, a “Community News eNotification” was sent in August 2021 informing residents about the We Care Program run by the City of Surprise. That informational email was sent by the Communications Department of SCG to all residents who subscribe to the service. Before describing We Care, Cappie would recommend that SCG residents subscribe to these informative email notifications by visiting the SCG website: (https:// grandinfo.com), > "Sign up for eNotifications" page, and check the topics you want to get news and information about. In answer to your query, We Care is an automated system designed to call a senior or homebound person to check on their well-being at a specific time each day or on just specific days during the week. You decide the time and days. There are no restrictions as to whether you have a land line or cell phone. The calls can start as early as 6 AM until 8 PM at
night. The service is free and provided by the City of Surprise and administered by the Surprise Police Department. To be eligible, you need to be a resident of Surprise who is vulnerable due to health or age, fill out an application, and be available for a scheduled interview.
are happy to help you fill out the application as well. After completing the application, mail or bring the completed application to the Surprise Police Department, 14250 W Statler Plaza, Suite 103, Surprise AZ 85374
After the application has been reviewed, an interview will be scheduled. Cappie won’t try Residents can obtain an to explain the entire program application: in print; a Citizen Patrol n At the City of Surprise member will do that during the website: https://www. interview, as well as re-check surpriseaz.gov/2541/We-Care the information provided and and fill the application out answer any questions you may online or search “surprise az have. Emergency contacts, we care” on your browser to medications, medical conditions, get to the website and key holders will be verified. n Call the Citizens Patrol This information is vital in the office at 623- 222-4277 (Mon event of sickness or accident thru Fri from 8:00 AM to and will help fire and medical 12:00 PM) and request the emergency personnel be aware of application be mailed to your medical history and needs. you or have the application If there are pets in the home, you will be asked who can care completed via phone for the animal in the event of a n Obtain a “We Care Program” hospitalization or other situations brochure (application is on that may take you away from your the back cover) from the home. The Fire Department’s Citizens Patrol teams that Lock Box Program will also be visit your neighborhood. They explained. People in the program must commit to being near the phone at the designated call time. If you know you are going to be out of the house or unable to answer the phone during the time of the daily call (medical appointment, travel, out of cell phone range, etc.), you need to let the department know 48 hours in advance.. Once approved, it is imperative that you answer the phone when
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View the digital version of “Ask Cappie” monthly column by going to www.grandinfo.com. Click on the More News>Grand Lifestyles Magazine> to choose the month you want to view. Special thanks to Marcia Scala for her lovely image of Lily. After Marcia took the photo, Lily decided to take a bite out of the roses! What a rascal and she loves to play hide and seek, too!
it rings at the designated time and respond exactly as the recording states. If you are okay, the recording will ask you to press “1” on the phone keypad and to stay on the line until directed to hang up. If you do not answer phone call you will be called again within fifteen minutes. If the phone again is not answered, an automatic alert will be generated and personnel from the Surprise Police Department or Citizens Patrol will be sent to your home to check on your welfare. For people living alone, or homebound, We Care adds an additional layer of safety and a daily reassurance that help will arrive if you are unable to answer that automated phone call.
Grand Lifestyles | October 2021 | suncitygrand.com
