MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is seeking participants for “Safeguard our Seniors,” a community outreach program designed to support elderly residents who live alone and lack local family support.
The program, often referred to as S.O.S., provides weekly house checks by sheriff’s deputies to ensure that vulnerable citizens are safe and their basic needs are being met. Officials said the initiative is part of a “good neighbor” approach to community policing, aimed at reducing social isolation and preventing potential health crises for those without regular visitors.
“S.O.S. is designed for seniors to have a deputy sheriff check in on them on a regular basis to make sure that their basic needs are being met,” the department stated on its website.
Beyond safety, the visits serve as a vital social connection. Deputies use the time to monitor for changes in health, mobility, or cognition that might require intervention from local social service agencies.
Residents can apply for the program themselves, or on behalf of a loved one or friend. However, the senior must agree to participate and welcome the weekly visits.
Individuals interested in enrolling can visit the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 100 Executive Drive, Marion, OH 43302. For more information or to ask questions, the public can contact Deputy Jesse Allen at 740-382-8244, Ext. 5121.