Emergency Preparedness For Seniors
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Senior/Recreation Centers
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Goal
Purpose
Steps to Implementing SeniorLinks in your Neighborhood
Benefits for the Individual
Benefits for the Association
Other Projects and Ideas

Goal

The purpose of SeniorLinks is to create a network among the City of Orlando’s residents and neighborhood associations to identify and establish regular contact with senior citizens living in the neighborhood who may be isolated in their homes due to illness, choice, or the lack of a family support system. SeniorLinks is a grass roots initiative designed to be tailored by the association to fit the needs of the neighborhood and neighbors 55 years and older. SeniorLinks was implemented in June of 1998. It is all about neighbors helping neighbors! SeniorLinks will provide the assistance needed by the neighborhood to positively enhance the lives of all seniors in that neighborhood.

Purpose

The purpose of SeniorLinks is to create a network among the City of Orlando's homeowners, neighborhood, condominium and resident associations to identify and establish regular contact with senior citizens living in the neighborhood who may be isolated in their homes due to illness, choice, or the lack of a family support system.

and then

To educate seniors about emergency preparedness;
To inform seniors about the services, activities and events available to them; and
To positively enhance the lives of all seniors.

Steps to Implementing SeniorLinks in your Neighborhood

It is simple. SeniorLinks is to be tailored to the needs and resources of the neighborhood associations. The neighborhood association is encouraged to create a board position and/or a standing committee for SeniorLinks. The association selects a SeniorLinks Liaison and committee and contacts the City’s SeniorLinks Facilitator with the information. SeniorLinks will coordinate a training session for the liaison and committee members. If necessary, SeniorLinks will furnish additional volunteers for this work to the neighborhood association. Once the training is complete the liaison(s) will determine who the isolated, homebound seniors are in the neighborhood. The liaison will record this information on forms provided by SeniorLinks and pass it on to the neighborhood association. For those homes where nobody ever seems to be home (probably not isolated and/or homebound), the liaison will leave a letter and card, furnished by SeniorLinks, at the door. If the resident is indeed isolated and/or homebound and wants to participate, they may fill out the card and get it to the Neighborhood Association. The liaison and/or committee will receive quarterly information and helpful items to pass along to the isolated, homebound seniors in the neighborhood that are participating. The SeniorLinks Liaison and committee simply determine who the isolated and homebound seniors are and report to the neighborhood association.  They do not try to assess the senior’s situation. The liaison(s) report their time to SeniorLinks on forms furnished to them. At all times during this process, all people participating will promote that this is only a tool to assist neighbors helping neighbors! The willingness of neighbors to be open to and participate in this philosophy is the true measure of the success of the effort. SeniorLinks will provide the assistance needed by the neighborhood to positively enhance the lives of all seniors in that neighborhood.

Benefits for the Individual

• Receive information to be better prepared for emergencies

• Frequent communication with others

• Learn about available resources: 211 Helpline to help seniors with concerns and needs

• Support system in place

• Feel secure knowing you have neighbors to call on

• Better attitude on neighborhood life

• Participate in neighborhood activities

• Get to know your neighbors

Benefits for the Association

• Contributes to the quality of life in the neighborhood by neighbors getting to know each other

• Creates an atmosphere of caring and friendliness

• Improves neighborhood communication

• Provides opportunities for residents to share talents, skills and expertise

• Identifies special needs of senior neighbors

• It is the right thing to do - promotes neighbors helping neighbors

Other Projects & Ideas

• Host a morning coffee get together for seniors

• Invite seniors to association meetings; escort them, if necessary

• Encourage social gatherings/outings with neighborhood seniors

• Encourage neighbors to become SeniorLinks volunteers

• Set a time before or after regular association meetings for socializing

To sign your neighborhood association up as a SeniorLinks partner, please contact the Office of Community Affairs at 407.246.2500