RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER Program Director Kathy Arnold signs a client up for the new Keeping Independent Seniors Safe, or KISS, program. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Reassurance for independent seniors is just a KISS away.

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, sponsored by Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency, has announced the start of its Keeping Independent Seniors Safe, or KISS program.

The new addition provides free telephone assistance to older adults who live alone and want to feel safe and secure.

“We have a lot of seniors out there who could use a phone call on a daily basis,” RSVP Director Kathy Arnold said, “especially now when we have so much social isolation due to the pandemic.”

Arnold, a member of the Michigan Association of RSVP Directors, noted the president of the association runs a very successful KISS program in Flint and believed this is the perfect time to offer the service to the local community.

KISS participants will have the “peace of mind” knowing that someone will check on them and come to their aid within 24 hours on weekdays.

“No one likes to think of the consequences if something should happen not be able to contact anyone or not be found for days,” Arnold said.

Volunteers will contact seniors from 8:30 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. “We just call and check in on you and make sure you are doing OK,” she said.

Participants also will get a direct telephone number they can use to touch base with a volunteer if they plan to be away for the day.

Any senior who fails to call or does not answer the phone will be seen as a sign of a potential problem.

If contact still cannot be made, one or more designated contact people — neighbor, friend or relative — are notified.

“They will then be asked to check on the situation,” Arnold said.

If their contact person fails to make a connect, volunteers then will notify local law enforcement to arrange for a well-being check.

The program is open to anyone age 60 or older in Dickinson or Iron counties. Seniors don’t have to be homebound, just someone who would like that reassuring phone call five days a week, Arnold added.

They will gladly make a call to nearby Wisconsin seniors as well, she said.

The program isn’t just for those living alone — it’s perfect for caregivers as well, Arnold said.

“What happens to those with dementia or Alzheimer’s if something happens to their caregiver?” she said.

Clients will be required to have a one-time-only “face-to-face” meeting when signing up.

“We will determine if we could do a virtual or phone call — whatever they are most comfortable with during this time because of the pandemic,” Arnold said.

Participants will establish their own protocol. Special arrangements can be made for those who might need weekend coverage.

“I would love to get this going for the communities,” Arnold said. “I feel that this could be very beneficial.”

They will need volunteers, too, after they begin signing up clients, she noted. RSVP volunteers must be 55 or older and pass a background check.

RSVP is funded through the Aging and Adult Service Agency for Michigan.

Volunteers are reimbursed mileage up to $50 a month and offered supplemental automobile insurance when traveling to and from their station for volunteering. RSVP provides supplemental life and health insurance as well.

In a normal year, RSVP hosts a recognition dinner to thank the volunteers, Arnold said. Unable to host that get-together this year, she instead sent out special thank-yous and gift cards.

They plan to continue the KISS program after the pandemic.

“We just want to spread the word and get it going,” Arnold said.

For more information, to sign up or to volunteer, call 906-774-2256, ext. 223; write to DICSA KISS program, 1238 Carpenter Ave., Iron Mountain, MI 49801; or email karnold@dicsami.org.