In a move to provide more accessible support to its residents, Upper Arlington's CARES initiative is rolling out new helpdesk office hours set to take place at multiple local venues. Starting this November, the CARES Helpdesk will offer services at the Bob Crane Community Center and Upper Arlington Library branches, giving community members the opportunity to directly engage with a CARES Social Worker for resource guidance.
The program, standing for Community Assistance, Referrals, and Education Services, is designed with a focus on older adults, aiming to assist them in aging in place with dignity and ease. Announcing the office hours switch-up through a City of Upper Arlington municipal update, the city outlined that the helpdesk will operate from 10 am to Noon on select dates. Community members, eager for new beginnings, can inquire about food and utility assistance, mental health support, and home safety checks, spanning the needs from caregivers to young adults.
Rotating locations, the CARES Helpdesk is scheduled for the initial meet-up at the Bob Crane Community Center's Level 1 Public Safety Office on Wednesday, November 5, followed by a session at the Center's Level 2 Older Adult Office on November 19. December dates have been set for the 3rd and 17th at the same locations, while the Upper Arlington Library will host the meetings on December 10 at the Tremont Road Branch and December 22 at the Lane Road Branch.
CARES' expansive program is part of a broader community paramedicine initiative, aiming not just at immediate assistance but also injury prevention and partnership building. Residents looking to find out more about how this program can weave into the fabric of their lives are encouraged to contact the CARES team at 614-583-5352 or via email to [email protected]. As winter's chill sets in, these conversations will serve as a beacon, stoked with the fuel of community concern, for those who may find themselves navigating the frosty landscapes of need.
