Protecting seniors, among the most vulnerable, when the cold takes hold: Officials need your help
MILWAUKEE -- The bitterly cold temperatures we are seeing this week in southeastern Wisconsin has local officials and volunteers looking out for some of our community's most vulnerable. Folks with Milwaukee County's Department on Aging say on nights where temperatures are in the teens or single digits, and wind chills are below zero, there's something we all need to consider.
When it gets bitterly cold, there's a question you should ask yourself: Do you know any seniors who live alone? Is someone checking on them?
Milwaukee County Department on Aging
When the sun set on Monday, January 11th in Milwaukee, the concern wasn't the light snow that was falling, but rather, the bitterly cold temperatures.
"Be good neighbors -- because many of the calls we get are made on behalf of other people," Chester Kuzminski, Milwaukee County's Aging Resource Center manager said.
Kuzminski says in cases of extreme cold or heat, county officials ask for help -- specifically, references to any senior who lives alone without a reliable support system.
"We do about 900 elder abuse investigations every year and out of those 900, about half those cases are self-neglect and we need to reach out to those people," Kuzminski said.
Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church
Volunteers at Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church were getting ready to serve folks on Monday evening.
From December through march, the house of worship in Bay View becomes a shelter for 20 to 25 people each night.
"We are open to adult men and women over the age of 18 and we have seen the whole range of ages up to about 74," Karen Hagen, Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church pastor said.
Hagen said it's not uncommon to see people in their late 50s or 60s looking for a place to stay when the cold takes hold.
"It`s a heart tug, but it is much easier to help than not help. Not helping people is a much more difficult situation to live with," Hagen said.
Officials in Milwaukee County say they're focusing on those who are unable or unwilling to ask for help.
"We need the community to be our eyes and ears, to let us know that those people are out there and we need to get out there and help them," Kuzminski said.
Kuzminski says if you do refer a senior, by calling (414) 289-6874, Milwaukee County officials work with Interfaith Older Adult Programs to make sure someone is calling that senior daily to see how he or she is doing.
To call for immediate shelter information, you should dial 211.