Unfortunately, we’ve all seen the commercial with the lady on the floor crying out “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up,” promoting the necklace that she so proudly wears in the end scene.

Believe me I’m not trying to make light of the seriousness of falls, or criticize the company, just maybe their marketing style. With 30 percent of seniors living alone, having a fall and no one to check up on you could be very dramatic, like the commercial. Having fewer children and with families spread throughout the country you don’t necessarily have that family support that was once there.

Times can get lonely and sometimes you can feel a little depressed. This could be one of the reasons why 16 percent of seniors suffer from depression. With depression comes negativity, further isolation and can even cause health issues.

The Telephone Reassurance Program can’t cure depression or illnesses, but it can give you the peace of mind knowing that Monday through Friday between the hours of 8-9 a.m. someone will call and check on you.

Our friendly, positive volunteers will call to make sure that everything is okay and that you are feeling good, reassuring you that someone cares. If for whatever reason you don’t answer, we will contact one of the emergency numbers you provide us with and/or the local hospital. If there is still no contact, someone will be sent to check out your home to check on you and if need be the Police will be contacted to enter. (Part of the paperwork includes placing an emergency key.) So if you plan on being gone please let us know in advance so we’re sure all our volunteers are aware.

Unlike the necklace fees, our services our free. It is just one more service we provide to make sure the seniors in our community can live as safely and independently in their homes as long as possible. If you have questions or would like to sign up for our Telephone Reassurance Program please contact: Kate Christopherson, advocate, 433-3462 or Nancy Donahue, advocate 433-8376

Upcoming Events

Monday: Blood pressure checks, 9 a.m.; SAIL Bone Builders, 9 a.m.; Walking Club, 9 a.m.; Cards (Pinochle and Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Exercise  with Evies Friends, 1 p.m.

Tuesday: Silver Sneakers, 8:15 a.m.; Exercise with Evie’s Friends, 9 a.m.; Grief Support 10:30 a.m.; Chicken alfredo  hotdish, 11:30 a.m.; Cards  (500, Duplicate Bridge,  Pinochle), 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Wood Carvers, 8:30 a.m.; Tai Chi,  9 a.m.; Walking Club, 9 a.m.;  Potato bar/Weight Watchers coffee shop; Weight Watchers, 12:15 p.m.; Cards (Duplicate Bridge, Pinochle, Cribbage), 12:30 p.m.; Stitching Bees, 1 p.m.; Open chess, 1 p.m.

Thursday: Tops, 8 a.m.; Silver Sneakers, 8:15 a.m.; Exercise  with Evie’s Friends, 9 a.m.; Cards (Pinochle) 12:30 p.m.; Bingo and open chess, 1 p.m.;  Weight Watchers, 5 p.m.

Friday: SAIL, 9 a.m.; Walking Club, 9 a.m.; Cards (Bridge Tournament, 500), 12:30 p.m.; Ping pong 3 p.m.

Weekly Card Results 

Tuesday Bridge

Jan. 16, six tables

1st Gail Schmidt, 1st Ray Schmidt; 2nd Millie Seiver, 2nd Joyce Crowe; 3rd Vandy Newman, 3rd Bud Higgins; 4th Bill Momsen, 4th Larry Crowe; 5th Judy Bungum, 5th Dave Solomonson; 6th Ron Peters, 6th Lorraine Lippert

Tuesday 500

Jan. 16, three tables

1st Dennis Bray, 2nd Dorran Rickert, 3rd Barb Dickman, 4th Russ Vaale

Friday 500

Jan. 19, two tables

1st Sally Michels, 2nd  Bernice Scholer, 3rd Dennis Bray

Friday Bridge

Jan. 19, two tables

1st Ann Dvorak, 2nd John Karnes, 3rd Mary Johnsen

Wednesday Duplicate  Bridge

Jan. 17, five tables

1st Dave Ring, 1st Orrion Roisen; 2nd Loren Cleland, 2nd Bud Higgins; 3rd Rick Stroup, 3rd Larry Crowe; 4th Millie Seiver, 4th Joyce Crowe; 5th Barb Englebretson, 5th Eunice Michels.