An elderly Monroe County couple found lying on the floor for days without food or water were saved after their neighbors called in a welfare check.

Pocono Mountain Regional Police were dispatched at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 20 to a home in the 2100 block of Winona Drive, Coolbaugh Township, Arrow Head Lakes Community for a welfare check involving an 86-year-old man and an 81-year-old woman.

Police observed newspapers stacked on the driveway and unopened delivery bottles after neighbors reported not seeing the couple for several days. A vehicle was parked in the driveway that belongs to the couple.

Police located an open door and attempted to make contact as several cats and dogs were running through the house. Police made several announcements to locate the couple, but had no contact.

A search of the residence located the couple lying on the floor and not able to move, both in extreme condition, and in need of medical attention.

Pocono Mountain Regional EMS assisted in the care of both patients. EMS believes they were lying on the floor for days without food or water.

The couple was flown by medevac to Lehigh Valley Cedar Crest.

Where to go for help

Fortunately, there are many different avenues for the elderly to pursue if they find themselves in need of assistance.

Specifically area agencies on aging, according to Mary Claire Megargle, administrator, Monroe County Area Agency on Aging.

“They are always encouraged to contact our office,” Megargle said. “If we’re not able to assist someone directly, we can make the appropriate referral in the community depending on what their needs might be.

“Someone that is at risk or someone like that, we encourage them to get their Life Alert buttons if they can afford it themselves; if that’s something they can’t afford, we can certainly help them look into that. If someone falls and may need assistance, that’s always a possibility.”

Megargle said more information is available by calling 800-498-0330, online at monroecountypa.gov, or on Facebook at Monroe County PA Area Agency on Aging.

It’s much the same at the Carbon County Area Agency on Aging, according to Susan Zeigler, administrator.

“We do have five senior centers where they can get a hot meal, they also get education on what’s out in the public,” Zeigler said. “If a new program happens here, our senior centers are the first ones to find out about it.”

Zeigler said they can also call them at 800-441-1315, where they offer intake and referral, visit them on their Facebook page, or visit www.carboncounty.com and go to human resources.

Other resources

• Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services, https://www.lehighcounty.org/Departments/Human-Services/Aging-and-Adult-Services, 610-782-3034.

• Northampton County Area Agency on Aging, https://www.northamptoncounty.org/HS/AGING/Pages/default.aspx, 610-829-6500.

• Schuylkill County Office of Senior Services, https://schuylkilloss.org, 570-622-3103.