Elderly Services
“It’s so neat to build relationships with people with a lot more life experience than I have. From those that need me to do almost everything to those that need me to just tell a joke, each person is different yet delightful. Being an elderly caseworker has to be the best job in the world!”
–Seth Willard, Elderly Services volunteer
With their children leaving the area to seek employment, many elderly find themselves with limited support systems. Lack of transportation and limited mobility make even the simplest of tasks – visiting friends, picking up groceries and basic home maintenance – a hurdle to overcome. Poverty and illness only compound the challenges Appalachia’s elderly face.
The Elderly Services program has two main components in which volunteers serve homebound senior citizens: Elderly Casework and Elderly Housing.
Elderly Casework
Elderly Caseworkers provide “a friend and a ride” to many homebound senior citizens. Home visits, transportation, social activities and prescription assistance ease the effects of isolation and allow homebound or ill senior citizens to remain in their homes longer. Long-term volunteer caseworkers carry a caseload of 20-40 elderly participants whom they visit at least once a month. In addition to visitation, volunteers provide transportation to the doctor’s office, area stores and even to visit friends down the road. Volunteers may also refer participants to CAP’s Prescription Assistance program. Elderly Services volunteers are called to be both advocates and friends to the elderly–by the end of your service, you may even be considered family. Immediate openings for short-term volunteers.
Elderly Housing
In addition to caseworkers, Elderly Services also needs long-term and short-term volunteers to complete small home repair projects for Elderly Services participants. Common projects include porches and wheelchair ramps. Elderly Housing volunteers often lead youth groups in completing these projects. While most Elderly Housing volunteers come to CAP with limited construction experience, we also have a need for volunteers skilled in construction to lead their peers. Immediate openings for short-term volunteers.
