Family members of the elderly or disabled in Boardman Township can enjoy a new peace of mind about their relatives’ well-being thanks to a new free program that was announced by Boardman Trustees and Boardman police on Wednesday during a news conference at the Government Center.
      The township’s Care Call program, created by the Boardman Police Department with the support of Trustees Brad Calhoun, Tom Costello and Larry Moliterno, offers a way for the health and safety of seniors to be checked on daily basis.
      How The Program Works
      Once a Boardman resident is enrolled in the program, he or she will receive a computer-generated, automated phone call at their residence on days and times that they specify.
      A recorded message will ask if everything is okay. If it is, the enrollee simply punches a code number into their phone, and the call ends.
      If he or she does not answer the Care Call, a process begins to ensure that there is nothing wrong. After a second unsuccessful call, a designated emergency contact (one or more relatives or friends) is contacted and asked to check on the person who has been called.
      If an emergency contact can’t be reached or is unable to respond, Boardman Police Department personnel will be sent to the enrollee’s home on a welfare check and determine if the resident is okay, or in need of medical assistance. If medical assistance is needed, appropriate emergency personnel will immediately be notified.
      Enrolling In The Program
      Boardman residents may enroll in the Care Call program themselves, or a friend or relative may enroll them on their behalf. There are three ways to enroll:
       •Visit the Boardman Police Department website at www.boardmantwp.com/police. Residents can fill out an enrollment form electronically and return it by email.
       •Or they can download the form, then print it and fill it out and return it by fax, by mail or in person at the Police Department.
       •Request can be made for an enrollment form a printed form by mail, filled out and then returned by fax or mail.
       •The enrollment form can also be obtained in person at the Boardman Police Department, 8299 Market St., and submitted in person, by e-mail, or fax, or through the mail.
      Once the form has been received, it will be kept on file and used to set up regular Care Calls to the enrollee’s residence.
      More information about the Boardman’s Care Call program is available at www.boardmantwp.com/police, or by calling Andrea Young-Clark at the police department at (330) 729-2014.