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Telecross emergency heatwave expansion response  

Red Cross reached thousands of vulnerable people during the recent heatwave checking to make sure they were okay in their homes.

Telecross volunteers made over 15,000 calls across South Australia during the ten-day emergency period to check on how elderly, frail or housebound people were dealing with the heat.

Kerry Symons, Executive Director, Red Cross in South Australia says the Telecross service was quickly expanded to support increased numbers of people at risk during the extended period of high temperatures.

Ms Symons says Red Cross worked closely with the Department of Families and Communities to contact their vulnerable clients.

   Telecross volunteers made over 15,000 calls across SA during the heatwave.

Telecross volunteers made over 15,000 calls across South Australia during the heatwave.
'These vital calls helped people stay connected to their community but more importantly, they provided a real source of critical practical advice and information ensuring people were coping in the heat,' says Ms Symons.

Over 500 volunteers across South Australia, including regular Telecross callers and staff from the public service made the calls to check on people’s welfare.

Ms Symons says the volunteer callers discovered a range of urgent needs and difficult personal situations where Red Cross was able to help people directly or arrange for follow-up.

'We know for sure that three people were hospitalised, while 18 others were referred to emergency contacts such as police, ambulance, friends or families. Two hundred people were referred to other agencies for follow-up attention,' said Ms Symons.

'I can’t say enough about the strength and dedication of those volunteers who have made a real difference in the lives of people facing a serious health risk.'

Ms Symons says that 580 people have chosen to remain as Telecross clients because they learned the benefits of the service firsthand through their daily heatwave calls.

During the emergency period, callers uncovered a wide range of urgent needs and ‘at risk’ situations where Red Cross was able to help people directly or refer them to other organisations.

These circumstances included older adults without support, socially and/or geographically isolated people, carers who were ill themselves, people from low-income backgrounds, individuals with chronic health needs, others who couldn’t speak English and people with no means of transportation.

Sometimes, the same person faced several of these risk factors simultaneously, severely increasing their discomfort with the unrelenting temperatures.

There are a number of compelling stories of how Red Cross was able to help:

 		 
Telecross helps carers
 Many people affected by the heatwave were carers who selflessly look after others everyday of the year but who are often vulnerable and socially isolated themselves.
Telecross helps the frail, aged and socially isolated.
 For some people living alone and who are frail, the heatwave proved a stressful and sometimes even life-threatening time.
Telecross helps the culturally diverse
For a number of people from other countries, the heatwave made coping even more difficult because of language and cultural differences in addition to any health and economic disadvantages.
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