It's a familiar scenario: An older person or couple lives alone in a home they've owned for decades. They sometimes struggle with health issues. Their illness or inability to function independently could easily go unnoticed or unattended. That's where our participation in the Gatekeeper program can help.

The Gatekeeper Program is a statewide effort to help identify senior citizens who need help but may not be able to get it for themselves. DTE Energy employees who suspect that a senior citizen may need assistance are asked to pass that information along to our company's Consumer Affairs group. All referrals are confidential.

Once the referral is made, the Consumer Affairs group sends it to the local Area Agency on Aging. A representative from the local Area Agency on Aging contacts the senior, makes a field visit if necessary and involves the appropriate human services and health agencies to arrange for assistance.

"We're all Gatekeepers - even if we don't have face-to-face customer contact," says Joyce Hayes-Giles, DTE Energy's senior vice president of Customer Service. "We may talk with customers over the phone or be in contact in other ways. We all have family members, friends and neighbors who might be at risk. This program is one more way DTE Energy is working to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve."