St. Joseph Health System - Volunteer Telecare Program

What is it?

The St. Joseph Health System (SJHS) Volunteer Telecare program is a free daily telephone check-in service for homebound community members. Each client receives a daily telephone call at a specified time (usually between 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.). If the client does not answer, the volunteer caller follows a protocol to contact the client’s designated neighbor or family member who is physically close enough to check on the client. If the client still doesn’t respond, the volunteer caller then contacts the local police department to check on the client and ensure their safety. This service is provided seven days a week, 365 days a year.

The SJHS volunteer program has a bevy of individuals interested in supporting the Telecare program by making daily calls. Callers work out of their homes on a rotating schedule, providing an outreach opportunity for volunteers who may have their own challenges in participating in traditional volunteering roles. We believe we can easily expand this program by further promoting the program to our community.

Who is it for?

Any member of our community who can take comfort in a daily morning phone call. Our clients do not have regular outside contact and typically live alone. Telecare clients appreciate their daily telephone call from a caring friend who can ensure that a small problem doesn’t escalate into an emergency in the absence of outside intervention.

Why do they do it?

SJHS volunteers recognized a need in their community and sought to fill it with this service. SJHS serves five rural counties with many individuals in remote areas as well as many who have retired to the area and are therefore far away from family.

Seniors who do not have regular outside contact can be susceptible to a small situation quickly turning into crisis. Our regular phone call can provide the necessary help to ensure that our clients are staying happy and healthy.

Impact

SJHS volunteer callers in the Telecare program are regularly called “angels” by program clients. Many callers have been involved in the program for years and have developed close relationships with their clients. It is not an exaggeration to say that this program has saved the lives of many over the years simply by alerting someone who could help the client when they did not answer their daily call. In other instances, for example, power outages, which can further isolate our clients, we have been able to help people solve problems such as failed heaters or oxygen devices that wouldn’t function without power.

Contact: Kim Jackson
Telephone: 989-362-9828
E-mail: KimJackson@sjhsys.org