SAGINAW — A Consumers Energy customer service representative was honored for assistance she gave to an elderly adult concerned over paying her heating bills that were normally administered by a relative who had just died.
Trisha A. Hayes received a plaque with a congratulatory letter from Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm as the 2009 Consumers Energy Gatekeeper of the Year by the Michigan Office and Commission on Services to the Aging May 21.
Working from the virtual call center in Saginaw, Hayes identified the woman as someone who had critical needs and referred her to agencies to receive assistance so she could live safely, healthy and independently in her own home. The woman needed food but didn't know how to apply for assistance and was too embarrassed to ask.
"Congratulations to this outstanding individual," said Sharon Gire, director of the Michigan Office and Commission on Services to the Aging. "She demonstrates the importance of the Gatekeeper program that was started by Consumers Energy in 1987 to identify older members of the community who need assistance."
Following a home visit, the customer's heating bills were resolved through the Oakland Livingston Human Resource Agency, and she received home delivered meals, home repairs and chore assistance through Area Agency on Aging 1-B in Southfield.
Each year Consumers Energy employees are nominated for their efforts to identify and assist at-risk elder customers age 60 and older. The Michigan Office and Commission on Services to the Aging then selects one employee each month to be named Gatekeeper of the Month, and from those employees, select the Consumers Energy Gatekeepers of the Year.