Vancouver Police NOW join senior wellness program

VANCOUVER — Volunteers from the Vancouver Police Neighbors On Watch recently joined the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Auxiliary in the Senior Wellness Check Program. The Senior Wellness Check program started in April due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Isolation is already a concern for elderly or homebound individuals and the pandemic created increased isolation and stress,” a news release about the program reads. Volunteers and those participating agree on a time and frequency of the wellness checks; if contact isn’t made after three attempts and an emergency contact isn’t reachable, law enforcement performs the welfare check. The program has 17 participants and so far, no checks have had to be made. Volunteers’ backgrounds are checked and they must have training through the agency they volunteer with. Clark County residents who live alone are encouraged to sign up for the free program. Applications can be requested from the Sheriff’s Office Outreach Unit at 564-397-3380 or email: sheriffcommunityoutreach@clark.wa.gov.