Seniors urged to join safety list

SENIOR citizens who live in the Cranbourne area can still join a free register set up to monitor their safety and wellbeing.
The Cranbourne Police Senior Citizens’ register was launched in November but organisers said they would have liked to see more people join the free service.
About 40 people have signed up to the register, which was designed to check-up on seniors who may be isolated, do not have family or who live alone. Organisers of the register will be at the Centro Shopping Centre in Cranbourne from 11am today (Thursday) to sign up people who may be interested in joining.
Co-ordinator of the register Greta Radnetter said the aim of the program was to ensure seniors felt as though they belonged to the community.
“It is a free service that is completely confidential so we encourage all seniors to join,” Mrs Radnetter said.
Brochures about the register are available at the Cranbourne Police Station, pharmacies and medical clinics.
“People do not have to fill out all of the information if they don’t feel comfortable. All we need is their name and phone number.”
Organisers and volunteers stay in regular contact with people on the register through phone calls and visits to their homes to ensure their safety, and the aim is to eventually organise group outings for participants.
The register is open to people over the age of 55, or anyone who is isolated or has a chronic illness.
“When we speak to people they say how pleased they are to have something like this set up, so we want people to send back their forms and sign up.”
People are also able to join the cognitive impairment program today, which is also run at the Cranbourne Police Station.
People can sign up to the register by calling 5991 0625 or the Cranbourne Police Station on 5991 0600.