Question brings life to important program

Are You Okay? It’s a question asked millions of times by millions of people every day. It’s also the name of a program that could very easily save your life.

The program, provided jointly through the Dutchess County Division of Aging Services and the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, is simple and straightforward. It sets up a daily call service to individuals who are disabled, homebound or infirm and living alone. A call is placed at a designated time each day to make sure the subscriber is safe and sound. If no one answers the call within 15 minutes, an emergency contact (a prearranged friend or family member) is then called to go physically check on the program participant; if that’s not possible, a police officer will go check on the subscriber. The goal is to make sure that people who are vulnerable and all alone are not left to fend for themselves when they could be injured, ill or in any other type of emergency situation.

It’s a basic concept, perhaps, but one that up until the mid-1990s, when this program was initiated, wasn’t available in our region. And as simple as this service may seem, it’s quite brilliant, really: It fills a fundamental need, it’s uncomplicated and it could prove to be a crucial timesaver in certain situations. Both the Division of Aging Services and the sheriff’s office should be lauded for their efforts to provide a real solution to a very real problem — which is not as easy as it sounds. Are You Okay? does not only elucidate how to deal with the issue of caring for those in our society who are at risk and all alone, it does so without costing subscribers a penny.

That’s right, Are You Okay? is completely free, so there’s absolutely no reason why those who are disabled, homebound or infirm and living all alone should not sign up immediately. Doing so is not difficult. (To learn how to subscribe, read this week’s front page story.)

Now this is important — if you qualify for this program, or know somebody else who does, please, take advantage of it. Immediately. It just makes plain and simple common sense and it could be a lifesaver.

We all know seniors, in particular, who live alone; this program provides not only peace of mind, but actual assistance in an emergency. The same goes for anyone who may have a disability, be homebound or facing some other sort of hardship. Yes, it’s sometimes hard to acknowledge we need to count on others for help, but don’t let pride get in the way of making wise decisions. Are You Okay? is essentially an additional form of insurance, at no cost to the subscriber. Don’t delay. This is too important a topic for those who qualify to brush aside and ignore.

Unfortunately, according to Division of Aging Services Director Mary Kaye Dolan, “only a minority” of those who qualify for the program are currently enrolled. Don’t be counted among them. Be smart, be proactive, plan ahead. The next time someone asks, Are You Okay? make sure you can reply a resounding, “Yes!”