Do your employees come in regular contact with seniors and people with disabilities?
If so, the Gatekeeper Program can train them to help keep at-risk people safe and living in their own homes. It is easy for your company to become a gatekeeper. The program will help employees:
- Learn the warning signs for a senior or a person with disabilities who may need help;
- Learn what kind of information they should gather to help; and
- Find out how to get help for, friends, family, or even the employee.
Gatekeepers are clerks, bank tellers, pharmacists, mail carriers, neighbors, and others
- Communication – signs of confusion, difficulty communicating;
- Financial – trouble paying bills, mention of missing funds, bounced checks, large withdrawals;
- Caregiver Stress – frustration, despair, lack of support;
- Social isolation – isolated, unable to leave home, no visitors;
- Emotional Health – depression, anxiety, personal loss;
- Appearance – unkempt, unshaven, soiled clothes;
- Physical limitations – difficulty seeing, hard time moving around home;
- Around the home – mail and newspapers stacking up, yard not kept up, debris, pets neglected, strong odors.
Gatekeepers work in partnership with the local Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC)
- When a trained gatekeeper notices a potential issue, that person contacts the ADRC.
- The ADRC then helps the senior or person with disabilities understand available options and access programs and resources to help them get care and support if they choose.
- Please call (541) 205-5400 to set up training or get to find out more about this program.
