VOLUNTEERS: A word of thanks

Many thanks to those of you who volunteer as RSVP friendly visitors to home-bound seniors. And many thanks to the volunteers who recently signed up for a new program to visit lonely seniors in assisted living and nursing facilities. Residents of long-term care get lonely just like home-bound seniors.

Life changes in a big way for seniors when they move into a facility. It’s not a choice easily made. Some adjust more easily than others, often because families and friends visit and include them in activities. But some residents rarely have visitors and some have none at all.

Loss of independence, vitality, mobility, friends and loved ones can lead seniors to feel isolated and lonely. Homebound seniors often lack information about community resources. A friendly visitor provides both emotional support and information that can help keep seniors in their homes.

Residents of long-term care may feel isolated and lonely when they lose their independence. That’s where friendly visitors come in. They visit regularly to do activities or hobbies, reminisce, listen to music, play games, read or just talk — whatever is meaningful to the residents and brings some joy back into their lives. A familiar smiling face and regular visits can work wonders.

The Area Agency on Aging of North Idaho has many programs to serve seniors. Friendly visitors are part of the RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program). The friendly visitor program has two parts, one for visiting in-home seniors and the other for visiting long-term care residents.

Dave Hoover is looking for volunteers for the in-home program. I’m looking for volunteers to visit designated seniors in facilities. If you have the time and feel a tug on your heart strings, please call the RSVP program. To find out more about how you can bring some joy back into a lonely senior’s life, contact Jan Noyes at 667-3179 ext. 227 or [email protected]. Thank You, Friendly Visitors,

JAN NOYES

Coeur d’Alene