Are You OK? Program Provides Peace of Mind

One of the greatest concerns for someone with an elderly relative who lives alone is that he or she will have an accident or fall ill, and won't be able to get to the phone to call for help. "Are You OK?" program can provide some peace of mind, especially on a day like Thursday when walkways could be covered with ice or snow.

The "Are You OK" program, also known as RUOK, places an automated call to members each day, at a specified time. If nobody answers, the program alerts the police and an officer is dispatched to check on the resident.

Manchester Acting Chief of Police Lt. Tim Walsh said usually people will sign up an older relative if there is no family nearby to check in on her or him. Walsh said that RUOK is a fairly common public service, with similar programs in police and fire departments across the country.

Still, there hasn't been overwhelming demand for it here. Manchester's calls are handled at the Ballwin Police Department's dispatch center. Dianna Keller, Ballwin PD's Senior Communications Officer, said that of the 11 people currently signed up for RUOK calls, only two of them live in Manchester. She said the the numbers vary with the seasons and health conditions. For example, some people may spend some time in a nursing home, then sign back up for RUOK calls when they move home again.

When members sign up for the program, they provide information about their doctors, nearest relatives and where to find a key to the house. They also specify the time that they want the calls to come each day. When the computer calls the house, the resident picks up the phone and presses a key to confirm that everything is okay. If nobody answers, if the line is busy for more than a half hour or if the key is not pressed, that sends up a red flag. An officer visits the home to check on the resident and calls paramedics if necessary.

Keller said most of the time, alerts turn out to be false alarms—the resident had a doctor appointment or went out of town and forgot to let RUOK know. Still, there have been several incidents where someone had fallen and needed help, and the RUOK call got them that help. Though many RUOK members are elderly women and men living alone, the service can benefit people of any age who have disabilities or medical conditions that limit their mobility.

For more information about the program or to sign up, contact the .