For a senior citizen living alone, sometimes the U.S. postal carrier might be their daily single point of contact with another person. Because of this, mail carriers often watch out for signs that may indicate there is something wrong at the residence of an elderly person.
The Marion Council on Aging, with the assistance of the Rochester Postal Service, will now offer Marion senior citizens a way to feel extra secure through the U.S. Postal Service “Carrier Alert Program.”
With the Carrier Alert Program, senior residents can register with the COA to receive a special sticker to place inside the mailbox indicating the presence of a senior citizen at the residence. This will alert the mail carrier to watch out for signs of distress, specifically the piling up of mail over a number of days.
If a resident’s mail remains uncollected in the mailbox for three days without covering up the sticker to notify the carrier that they are away from the home for a period of time, the mail carrier will take further steps to ensure the resident is not in any danger.
The mail carrier will call the COA to alert them of the possibility of a problem and a representative from the COA will attempt to contact the resident.
Seniors opting in the program would provide their emergency contact information to the COA, who will use it in case of emergency to check on the welfare of the resident.
If the COA is still unable to contact the resident, they will alert the Police Department to arrive at the home for a welfare check.
The Carrier Alert Program allows for an extra set of eyes to look out for Marion seniors still living at home.
“Everyone agreed that it’s a good idea,” said Susan Schwager, Marion COA director. “Anything that would help those who want to remain in their home.”
Schwager said all senior residents have to do is call her, provide their emergency contact information, and within a couple days a sticker would be provided.
The cost was minimal, said Schwager, saying the COA budget will only expend about $10 for the stickers.
Schwager said some might perceive the Carrier Alert Program as an invasion of privacy of sorts, but she said the sticker is placed on the inside of the mailbox where only the mail carrier would see it.
“I see no reason why they wouldn’t want another set of eyes on them, especially if they’re living alone” said Schwager. “It will give residents some peace of mind, and their loved ones peace of mind.”
Those interested in participating in the Carrier Alert Program can call Susan Schwager at the Marion Council on Aging at 508-748-3570.
By Jean Perry
