Community Corner

Local Company Offering Free Courtesy Calls to Seniors

The program rolled out last week through Always Best Care Senior Services

Much like the rest of the state, Tampa Bay is home to a large population of senior citizens.

But those who are homebound or don't have relatives in the area to check on them can sometimes feel isolated.

Enter Always in Touch, a program sponsored by Always Best Care Senior Services, a home health agency with a location in north Tampa. The program allows seniors to receive a free daily phone call from a volunteer from Always Best Care Senior Services. The purpose is to give the senior some social interaction and to remind them to do things like take their medications, said Mark Lembo, area representative for Always Best Care Senior Services.

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"You can consider it a security blanket," he said. "It's a reassurane that the loved one is being contacted, and to make sure that they are OK," Lembo said. "It's another service we offer to keep people safe and healthy in their homes. This allows them to touch base every day of the week."

Chuck DiPierro, owner of the company's location at 16614 N. Dale Mabry Highway, said the program was rolled out last week by the company, whose north Tampa staff helps seniors with daily activities such as laundry, bathing and grooming.

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DiPierro said the Always in Touch program was rolled out last week as a corporate initiative. He said sign-up for the program requires filling out paperwork that includes the name and phone number of an emergency contact in case the senior doesn't answer after a few calls from a volunteer.

He said the 15-minute calls are made by a volunteer staff from the company's headquarters in California.

"They ask, 'Have you eaten breakfast? How are you feeling?"' he said.

He also plans to talk to social workers at Florida Hospital Tampa to let them know that patients who have been discharged can also become part of the program.

DiPierro said he wants those who sign up to know that someone is going to call them everyday.

"If they know someone is calling at 2 p.m., that could be exciting for them," he said. "It's another way for our company to give back."

To sign up, call 813-310-6988.


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