Who are Community Gatekeepers?

Gatekeepers are employees of corporations, businesses and other organizations who, in the course of their daily work activities, come into contact with older adults in the community. Examples of Gatekeepers may include: postal workers, utility meter readers, police officers, firefighters, senior and recreation center personnel and bank tellers to name a few. Gatekeepers are trained on site and educated to recognize signs and symptoms that may indicate an elderly person is in need of help. The most common indicators are listed below. Gatekeepers could directly observe any one factor or combination of the following:

Unkempt appearance
Strong odors on person and/or in home
Depression, confusion, forgetfulness
Substance abuse
Caregiver stress
Financial and social problems
Physical losses
Yard and/or pets neglected
Home needs repair

These individuals do not self-refer. Early identification of at-risk elders can prevent premature institutionalization, abuse and neglect.

Role of Gatekeepers

The role of Gatekeepers is to recognize signs and symptoms that may indicate that an elderly person is in need of assistance and to refer that person to the Gatekeeper Program. Gatekeepers are not expected to assume the role of social workers or counselors. All that is requested of Gatekeepers is to keep a watchful eye while conducting daily work activities and make a simple referral for those people in need.

The goal of the Gatekeeper Program is to systematically locate and identify at-risk elders 60 years and older, particularly those who are isolated, living alone and in need of some type of assistance to maintain their independence. The role of people acting as Gatekeepers is critical to the success of our mission as it organizes the fabric of our communities to identify senior citizens who need help the most.

What information do Gatekeepers report?

Whenever possible, Gatekeepers are asked to provide the following information when they call 440-205-8111 or 1-800-755-1402 or email us at screener@lccoa.org:

Elder’s name
Age, if known
Address or directions to Elder’s residence or whereabouts
A brief description of concerns
Gatekeeper’s name, telephone number and address

How the Gatekeeper Program Works

Once the referral is received, it is reviewed by a social worker that will then visit the elder’s residence. An assessment of the elder take place and a plan is developed, taking into consideration the assessment findings and the request of the elder. With the elder’s approval, a referral is made to other resources in the community. By accepting the plan they helped to develop, the elder’s quality of life should be enhanced.

Benefits of Being a Gatekeeper

We all have an obligation to help those most in need. Forcing assistance is not our goal, but the elderly deserve to be informed of alternatives and options that will preserve their independence and enhance their quality of life.

Serving as a Gatekeeper is an excellent way to establish good public relations. In addition, taking part in at cooperative effort to maintain the dignity and independence of at-risk elders can be a personally rewarding and satisfying experience.

Gatekeeper Training

Have you encountered an elderly person in the course of your business that needs help; yet, you don’t know where to turn? The Gatekeeper Program, administered by the Council on Aging, can train you and your employees to:

Recognize warning signs that an elderly person 60+ may be in need of help.
Refer those in need to the Council on Aging for help.

For on-site training, call the Council on Aging at 440-205-8111 or 1-800-755-1402 and ask for Lyle Shull at extension 224.