The R U OK? Program is a computer-automated telephone dialing system designed to provide a means of checking on the elderly, sick, homebound or disabled persons that live alone or that do not have family that can check on them on a consistent basis. This program is available on a volunteer basis to those citizens that want the service. It’s a totally FREE service offered to Town of Fuquay-Varina residents. There is no cost at all to any subscriber.
The Fuquay-Varina Police Department enters subscriber names, numbers and call times in the system, which is designed to automatically call each subscriber in the system at their pre-determined time. When the software hears a voice response on the phone it delivers a short pre-recorded message set by the Police Department indicating that we are calling to check on them and ensure that they are alright. The subscriber will be prompted to push an alternating number on the keypad of the phone provided during the call to make sure that they are OK and coherent and not in need of assistance. If a subscriber fails to answer after a preset number of call attempts, an alert is given visually on the computer’s monitor and audibly on the computer’s speakers notifying the Police Department that an officer needs to be sent to check on the person. A printout containing emergency information provided by the subscriber, including doctor name and phone number, emergency contact name and phone number, next of kin and brief medical history is generated in the event of an emergency for the benefit of the officer and EMS. This system is a great benefit to those residents in our community that live alone and we are glad to be able to offer it to them through the generous support of the Fuquay-Varina Jr. Women’s Club.
If you are interested in this service for yourself or a loved one, please contact the Fuquay-Varina Police Department at 919-552-3191 or email rsmith@fuquay-varina.org.
