Local community groups are being encouraged by local Minister Denis Naughten to take part in a Scheme which offers free personal alarms to older people.

The Senior Alert Scheme (SAS) operates in partnership with voluntary groups and could make a real difference in Roscommon-Galway where there is a strong community spirit, stated Minister Naughten. The objective of the Seniors Alert Scheme is to encourage support for older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable older people to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind.

Minister Naughten is encouraging local community groups to apply now so that alarms can be distributed before the evenings start getting darker.

Funding is available under the scheme for the purchase of equipment, such as a personal alarm and pendant, by a registered organisation. The equipment will be funded by the Government  and made available through community, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations registered under the Seniors Alert Scheme.

All information on the Scheme and applications forms are available here: https://sas.pobal.ie/SitePages/Home.aspx  The site also contains a list of community groups and organisations in Roscommon-Galway that are already registered under the SAS. 

Minister Denis Naughten added:
“Feeling safe and secure in your home is a basic right. Community groups which join the Senior Alert Scheme will be able to provide local older people with a free personal alarm which can be worn as a pendant or as a watch. When pressed it connects wirelessly to a base unit, which informs a 24 hour monitoring centre that something is wrong.  The scheme is open to people in Roscommon-Galway over the age of 65 with limited means or resources and who live within the local area of a registered community group. While the alarms are provided for free a small monitoring fee may apply for the service. I would encourage our many vibrant and strong local organisations in Roscommon-Galway to consider joining the Scheme and apply to offer this service to people who may feel isolated, alone or vulnerable. This is an opportunity to give older members of our community peace of mind and is one which I hope local groups across the region will sign up to.”

ENDS