INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Caring volunteers and staff from 211 Helpline’s Sunshine program call 500 hundred seniors daily to say “Hi” and check on their wellbeing. This program has been in existence for more than 25 years and has saved the lives of several hundred seniors who were in crisis.
Sheriff Deputies commented on the importance of the Sunshine program after another senior was discovered to be on the floor in need of intervention on Oct. 1.
In Indian River County, 17 seniors currently participate in the program. 211 volunteers and staff want to reach even more people who are alone and have no one to look in on them.
Karen Deigl, president and CEO of the Senior Resource Association, also feels that 211’s Sunshine program will help identify isolated and vulnerable seniors who are at risk. Through her agency, these seniors will be given short term case management resources to help them resolve their issues and allow them to continue to live safely and independently in their own homes.
“We are excited to partner with 211 to bring the Helpline’s Sunshine program to Indian River County because there is a great need for this type of reassurance for homebound elders,” Deigl said.
211’s Sunshine daily telephone reassurance program is free and available to seniors 60 and over, the housebound or disabled. To sign up or receive more information, dial 2-1-1 or visit www.211treasurecost.org.
Nonprofit 211 Helpline’s mission is to connect people to services 24 hours a day by understanding their individual emotional, financial, and community needs and to support the health and human service system as a whole.
211 sends a special “thank you” for the support of the United Way of Indian River County and the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners.