For many older adults in Allegany County, living independently at home is a top priority — but it can come with challenges, especially for those managing chronic health conditions.

Thanks to support from United Way donors, the Allegany Senior Foundation, in partnership with the Allegany County Office for the Aging, is helping make independent living safer for seniors across the county.

With United Way funding, the Office for the Aging has been able to provide Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) units to 78 older adults for a period of six months. These life-saving devices — available in landline, in-home cellular, and mobile/GPS-compatible formats — ensure that help is just the push of a button away. For many seniors who live alone or far from family, that quick access can make all the difference in an emergency.

One 84-year-old woman had just been released from the hospital when she experienced a health scare while in the bathroom without her phone nearby. Fortunately, she had her PERS unit and was able to press the emergency button to summon help quickly. She was treated and able to avoid being readmitted to the hospital.

These services are particularly critical in Allegany County, where 18% of adults over 65 live below the federal poverty line, and many continue to live on their own. With caregivers stretched thin, especially during the pandemic, PERS units provide a safety net not just for seniors, but also for the families and friends who care about them.

Each year, the Office for the Aging surveys PERS users to evaluate how the program is helping. The goal is for at least 80% of respondents to say they:

• Feel safer at home
• Believe PERS is helping them remain independent
• Feel their caregivers and family members are more at ease knowing help is available

Thanks to your donations to United Way, older adults in our community can continue to live with dignity, safety, and peace of mind in the homes they love.