Community Corner
Sheriff’s Department Offers ‘You Are Not Alone’ Program for Isolated Seniors
Through a program known as YANA, Senior Volunteer Patrol members offer weekly visits or phone calls to seniors in need.
As a member of the Senior Volunteer Patrol for the past nine years, Marie Allin has seen a lot. And it’s through their You Are Not Alone (YANA) program that she gets to see her fair share of smiling faces.
Designed to help isolated senior citizens, YANA is a service offered through the that ensures at least one weekly visit or phone call to those looking for some trusted human contact.
“Seniors will isolate themselves and sometimes we’re the only ones they see,” said Allin, dubbed the director of YANA by her colleagues. “We have one YANA that every time we go to visit her, when we go to leave she says, ‘Oh, I love you, I love you. I can’t wait to see you till next time.’ Others have said we are their family.”
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Nearly 20 seniors are signed up to receive the service, and Allin says there are more than 40 SVP members currently sharing the responsibility.
“I could not do this if I didn’t have other volunteers helping me,” she said. “We’re all needed.”
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In addition to the delivery of a birthday card and , SVPs check for basic signs of abuse during their visits, whether physical, financial or even self-inflicted through general neglect or lack of resources.
“When they run out of money and can’t afford food, they will eat dog food,” said Allin, who will offer them information on the various food services available. “If we come across that and they don’t have a dog, we know there’s a problem.”
For issues that go beyond the designated 15- to 20-minute visit, Allin will turn to San Diego County’s Aging and Independence or Adult Protective services.
One time, Allin recalls, they arrived too late to help, but were able to stop the situation from getting worse.
“We found a man deceased,” Allin said. “He would’ve been alone a long time if it hadn’t been for our visit.”
She added: “We always want to make sure that when they are scheduled for a visit or a phone call that we actually do talk to them.”
YANA is a free service. For more information, or to refer a family member or neighbor, call 858-565-5200.
