Nice Neighbors

Beatitudes' VICap Faith in Action volunteers spend quality time with elderly friends in their communities

By Marrissa Meyer
Photos by Howard Kuflik

As children, teens and even into our adult years, our parents and elders have held our hands, both literally and figuratively. Eventually, however, the time comes when care for our parents and loved ones becomes an immediate issue, a time when holiday phone calls and intermittent get-togethers just won’t be enough.

Finding adequate care for parents and aging adults is something approximately 77 million Americans are now dealing with. That means about one in four Arizona Baby Boomers are now responsible for the care of parents or older loved ones.

For most of us it is difficult to imagine that one day we will be responsible for our parents, and many times, families aren’t able to provide the daily care that their elderly loved ones require. For some older adults, family is a scarce commodity and getting the care they need can be just short of impossible. This is where Beatitudes Center DOAR’s (Developing Older Adult Resources) VICap Faith in Action program can enrich and even save lives.

Imagine tasks we take for granted, like taking out the trash, as a frightening labyrinth of stairs and uneven sidewalks where one misstep could mean a long, costly stay in the hospital. When arthritis prevents many from even picking up a pen, suddenly writing to loved ones or paying bills becomes overwhelming. It’s the little things volunteers do that makes these difficult daily tasks possible.

The VICap Faith in Action program provides much-needed help to homebound adults, or “neighbors” as they are known in the program, free of charge. That help could be anything from reading mail and grocery shopping to computer training and home repairs. The goal of the program is to help seniors continue to live independently in their own homes.

Cleo, a grateful VICap neighbor, agrees that the program has provided her the crucial help she needs: “Because of them, I have been able to stay in my home, and that’s the important part.”

Those who volunteer for the VICap Faith in Action program all offer something different to those they help, and Beatitudes Center DOAR matches all of its volunteers according to what they do best. (In fact, the program has matches that last for years; there are volunteers who have been involved for more than 19 years.) Anyone with basic computer skills, for instance, has the ability to help a surprising number of people. “Help with email is a common request among neighbors,” says Beatitudes Center DOAR Executive Director Elizabeth Brunstein. “You wouldn’t believe how the little things make a difference.”

“Little things” include VICap’s Friendly Phoning program, where volunteers make two to three calls per week, just to talk. Many VICap volunteers choose to help through Friendly Phoning and other VICap programs because they may not have immediate access to their own families. Brunstein explains that many volunteers see VICap as their chance to reflect by giving back to those who have given their love to others as mothers, fathers, grandparents and great grandparents.

The commitment VICap volunteers make to their neighbors shows in the way the older adults view their caregivers more as helpful friends than staff. “I do a lot on my own,” says Betty, a perky 100-year-old great grandmother with an affinity for tap dancing, “but there are still some things I need.” Betty goes grocery shopping with Laurie Shelton twice a month, in addition to frequent chats on the phone. And although Betty has relatives living in Mesa, she considers Laurie family as well. “She is beautiful, just wonderful,” Betty says of Laurie and her visits, “It means the world to me.” Best of all, this little bit of help allows Betty to stay in the comforts of her own home.

Beatitudes has also established close partnerships with more than 100 Valley congregations of various faiths, bringing together people with different backgrounds in service. For those interested in volunteering, registering with VICap Faith in Action is as simple as a phone call; just imagine the joy you could help bring to a neighbor, parent or grandparent in your community.

For more information, to register or to make a donation, call 602.285.0543 or visit www.centerdoar.org.