Seniors Encouraged to Sign Up for State's Senior Call Check Pilot Program

Montgomery County seniors, 65 years of age and older, are encouraged to sign up for a free telephonic system that does daily checks on participants. The program, sponsored by the Maryland Department of Aging, is the first in the country.

Every day a telephone call will be placed to a participant at a regularly scheduled time. These calls will take place between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm as close as possible to the one-hour time block pre-selected by the participant. If the participant does not answer the first call, they will be tried two more times. If those calls go unanswered, additional calls will be made to notify an alternative person who is selected by the participant during program enrollment. The alternate individual could be an adult child, neighbor or another loved one.

Any Maryland resident who is 65 years of age and older and has a landline or cell phone can join.

Individuals must apply on their own behalf. Information gathered includes first and last name, county of residence, telephone number, date of birth, name and telephone number of alternate contact person and time between 8:00 am and 10:00 am or between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm when the participant prefers to receive a daily telephone call.

Go to the Department of Aging’s website to register or register by telephone by calling 800-243-3425. For information about services and programs available to seniors in Montgomery County, call the Aging and Disability Resource Unit at 240-777-3000.

Photo courtesy Dept. of Aging.