Elderly people who need emergency help after hours now have a place to turn.

The state Department of Elderly Affairs has awarded a one-year $113,000 grant to Family Service of Rhode Island to operate the “After Hours Emergency Response Program for Elders in Crisis.”

The new program means that when the DEA shuts its doors at 4 p.m., there will be someone answering the phone and responding to any problems that arise — whether it be a medical or police emergency, or simply a neighbor who finds an elderly person who seems confused and “just not right,” said Larry Grimaldi, DEA spokesman. 

The number to call is the DEA Protective Services reporting line: (401) 462-0555. If it’s after 4 p.m., someone at Family Service will pick up. A licensed clinician will make an initial assessment of what to do. The clinician will advise public safety personnel on the scene and, if necessary, arrange for emergency home health care or to move the person to an assisted-living facility or nursing home. The clinician may report to the scene to evaluate and help out. 

The clinician will be trained in the unique needs of elderly people, as well as critical incident stress management, diagnostic standards, nonviolent conflict, stress and coping techniques, managing post-traumatic stress disorder and psychological trauma and recovery. 

On the next business day, the after-hours program will provide a full report to the DEA Protective Services Unit. The after-hours team will also take routine reports, such as allegations of financial exploitation or elder self-neglect, and will forward these reports to DEA. 

DEA will be responsible for investigating all allegations of elder abuse and for intervening in cases of self-neglect. “This is a significant step in ensuring that our senior citizens have support in times of need, which we all understand does not necessarily occur during typical business hours,” said Governor Carcieri in a statement. 

“This new program is the culmination of a coordinated effort by the governor, the General Assembly and the department to ensure that the appropriate resources are available to protect our seniors 24 hours a day,” said Corinne Calise Russo, DEA director.

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