Norfolk County Are You Ok Program Saves Braintree, Quincy Seniors

BRAINTREE, MA — Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott praised the county's "Are You OK" program, crediting it for saving the lives of a Braintree and Quincy resident.

The "Are You OK?" program is provided free of charge to seniors and residents with disabilities. The service provides participants with a daily check-in call 365 days a year, which is monitored by staff from the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office and Fallon Ambulance. According to McDermott, the program helped first responders save the lives of two county residents.

During a check-in call on Jan. 7, a Braintree resident was helped when she reported that she fell earlier in the day and was unable to move. Braintree police were notified and the woman was taken to the hospital.

On Jan. 22, a Quincy resident fell the previous evening, hit her head and was unable to get off the floor. When staff were unable to reach her in her daily call, they called the woman's relatives, who went to her residence, and called for an ambulance.

"The isolation imposed by COVID-19 on seniors and people with disabilities makes it even more important that we provide these kinds of lifelines," McDermott said. "We take seriously our commitment to public safety in Norfolk County, and that includes making sure that we take care of our most vulnerable neighbors. This program literally saves lives"

McDermott said seniors interested in signing up for this free program are encouraged to call Deputy Sheriff Cheryl Bambery at 1-866-900-7865.