Innovative idea will provide safety net for seniors living alone
RAY CRYER

My neighbor, who lived half a mile away died, and his death went undetected for quite some time. He was over 60 and lived alone. I did not know him well, but I believe he had some family in Louisiana and my wife and I assumed he had gone visiting. He had no phone, but I feel we dropped the ball as neighbors. Daily, we drove within feet of his home, and I wish we had checked on him. His body was only discovered by the landlord when his rent payment was late. To try and prevent this from happening again, I am starting a daily phone service to people over 60 (or with special health problems) who live alone and have no one to make daily contact. There will be no fee involved. If you know of such a person who would warm to a daily call, please notify me by phone at (903) 683-4489 and calls will begin. If a person wishes to be taken off the list at any time, for any reason, no problem. It should be understood that the caller will not be the responder to a perceived problem, but will notify 911, the police, or a family member if known. Also, if the idea catches on, and the list grows, the caller will be unable to engage in lengthy chats. The service would be to prevent someone fror laying dead or dying in their home without anyone taking notice.