Project SAFE Completes Its Work In Everett

Although MVES serves numerous clients, we realize that some elders living in the community are isolated and even live in potentially hazardous environments. Unfortunately, these elders’ isolation is sometimes only ended when a major problem occurs that involves emergency services and hospitals. How do we reach these isolated elders before a crisis occurs? Enter Project SAFE.

Project SAFE is a program designed to survey the needs of elders age 85 and older. Originally developed in 2002, the project was completed in Medford in 2003 and was implemented in Everett in 2004.

“The idea behind Project SAFE is to identify those elders 85 years and older who are in need of assistance and provide them with the services necessary so that they may live safely in their own homes,” said MVES Director of Community Programs Vida Poole.

Beginning in the winter and continuing through mid-July, Project SAFE outreach workers went door to door, visiting the homes of nearly 900 elders in the city of Everett. With the help of outreach workers, elders indicated any concerns about their living situations and their ability to live in the community. The outreach workers found that 23 percent of the elders visited expressed interest in receiving more information about community services and 20 percent requested to be contacted directly by phone. Outreach workers also identified 20 homes in need of working smoke detectors and several homes where more visible house numbers were needed.

“By reaching elders who could benefit from services, we help them to remain living where they want—in their homes,” said Poole. “And, we want those homes to be as safe as they can be.”

Through the help of the city, supporting organizations, and volunteers, Project SAFE has established itself in Everett as a vital resource for elders living in the community. The program plans to move forward by expanding to the city of Malden in the late fall of 2004.