How One Sheriff's Office Works to Reduce Loneliness, Fraud

In northwest Florida, older residents of Walton County enjoy a special connection with their local sheriff’s office.

That’s because of a program called SafetyNet, in which a dispatcher calls registered residents between 6 and 8 every morning to check up on them. And once a month, a volunteer with the sheriff’s office comes to their home for some face time.

SafetyNet is more than a wellness check. It helps older adults in the community fight loneliness, which can affect someone’s physical and emotional health. An estimated 20.5 percent of the population of Walton County is 65 years and older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

“This really helps us to cut down on the danger of social isolation,” says Karen Murillo, AARP Florida’s associate state director of advocacy. She says the interaction can also help people avoid becoming victims of scammers, because loneliness and fraud often go hand in hand.

“We know that when adults of any age — but especially older adults — are isolated from friends and family, they’re more likely to be taken in” by somebody who showers them with attention, she says. Predators know this and use sophisticated tactics to woo potential victims.

AARP is highlighting the SafetyNet program as part of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Murillo says the organization hopes the program can be replicated in other areas of the state. In Walton County, there is no age restriction to register for the calls.

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office started SafetyNet three decades ago. Currently, 30 residents get the daily call from a sheriff’s dispatcher. If a resident doesn’t pick up after the third try, a deputy goes to their home to make sure they are OK.

Retired sales manager Lloyd Baylard is the SafetyNet volunteer who makes the monthly house visits. Many of the residents have lost a spouse, says Baylard, who lives in Freeport.

The participants look forward to the visits, and so does he. “You become a friend after a while,” he says.

Baylard often ends up doing small chores for some residents, such as changing the batteries in a smoke detector or moving a box to the garage. “It’s just little stuff like that that helps them out,” he says.

If he sees something concerning — like a resident with declining health or not enough food in the pantry — he contacts the person’s relative.

The program also keeps Baylard connected. “After I retired ... I was basically looking for something to do to keep myself busy,” he says. “I really enjoy visiting with these folks and talking to them about what’s going on.”

On the visits, Baylard also hands out fraud prevention materials from AARP Florida.

Ted Toedte, Walton County Sheriff’s Office crime prevention specialist, says helping older adults learn about the latest fraud tactics is key.

“Every day, they’re being inundated with scams,” he says. “Our main goal right now here in the county is to just educate our seniors on [this] huge problem.”

For more information or to sign up for the SafetyNet program, visit waltonso.org/community-programs/safetynet or call (850) 892-8111.

Ann Hardie spent a decade covering aging issues for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She has written for the Bulletin for 16 years.

 
Also of interest:

• Twelve Low-Cost Ways to Deal with Loneliness as You Age
• Does Being Lonely Make You Age Faster?
• How to Be a Caregiver for Someone With Dementia