Senior News January, 2003 Vol. 22. No.  1

 

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Intergenerational visitors: New program brings teens, seniors and elders together

Del Norte Senior Center

Fortuna: Community meeting called to discuss senior needs

Del Norte: First Habitat house construction is underway

What is community health?

Caregiver support: Respite care funding and caregiver trainings are available

Opinion: Competitive bidding could hurt small suppliers

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One of the most recent pairings of IVY Volunteers and their senior hostess. Diane Smith, right, and Jennifer Machado visit Tula Mae Seelye in her home in Fortuna. They enjoy sharing sewing and quilting stories and are making plans to teach Jennifer the art of embroidering. Photo by Betty Worley

The Volunteer Center of the Redwoods, home of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, has added a new service for the Northcoast. Intergenerational Visiting and You (IVY), is a visiting program offered to area elders who are homebound, socially isolated or who would enjoy company.

Volunteer Barbara Stinson says, "I had so much fun with my lady. We would sit across the table or go out in the garden to work crossword puzzles or share gardening tips."

Teen Megan Gann writes, "I have recently joined the Intergenerational Visiting and You team. I became involved with this program after my grandmother died last September. By becoming involved, I have been able to better deal with my grief and I am able to make a noticeable positive impact on one senior citizen's life."

Designed to help preserve the independence of elders by keeping them connected to the community through home visits, the program matches teen, RSVP and other adult volunteers in pairs to visit a homebound elder one to two hours a week. This win-win situation is designed to enhance the lives of homebound individuals by bringing the energy of involved teens and active adult volunteers directly into the home, encouraging stimulating interchange. Often a rewarding relationship develops with the paid or family caregiver as well. The visitors benefit by listening to the stories and memories of the host elder and by sharing common interests.

Homebound seniors, their families or caregivers struggle with issues of isolation, stress and loneliness. Often they do not know how to access services that could enhance the quality of their lives. The volunteer team is trained to help the elder or caregiver learn about the many services available, and to encourage the homebound person to share life stories and memories. IVY volunteers can provide support and respite for caregivers, interaction with the senior, help with simple household chores and intergenerational friendship.

IVY is made possible through a grant from the California Wellness Foundation and other assistance from the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Union Labor Health Foundation, the McLean Foundation, the Humboldt Area Foundation and the Redwood Coast Music Festivals. RSVP support comes from a Corporation for National and Community Service grant.

If you would enjoy having interesting visitors or if you are interested in becoming an IVY visitor, please call the Volunteer Center and RSVP at 442-3711 ext. 223. A six-hour IVY Training is planned Feb. 8 at College of the Redwoods at no cost to the participants. Lunch is provided.

Betty Worley is the Intergenerational Visiting specialist. She is with AmeriCorps VISTA working through the Volunteer Center of the Redwoods, home of Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. Her e-mail is visit@a1aa.org.