|
|
Just Listening can Make Elderly Happy
By Carrie Simmons, Westford Eagle
February 10, 2005
Making new friends is hard enough when you're young. It's even harder when you're a senior citizen living alone.
At 91, Huntington Wells has outlived most of his friends in town and his wife of 60 years died a little more than a year ago.
But last week the World War II veteran found a new ear for his memories and to chat about how things have changed in Westford over the years.
Huntington was paired up with volunteer Fred Baumert through the Cameron Senior Center's new Friendly Visitor Program designed to provide a social outlet to homebound seniors who want to maintain their independence.
"Huntington has a wealth of knowledge to share," said Rita Jarvis, outreach coordinator for the Senior Center. "The program is designed to be beneficial to both the visitors and the seniors."
Visitors stop by a senior's house to talk - and many times listen - to seniors who might not have family and friends in the area. And although they are not expected to be caregivers, volunteers who visit once a week can check in on those living alone.
"It is an extra pair of eyes," said Jarvis. "And they know who to contact if there is ever a problem."
Although Huntington still drives, most visitors will be matched with homebound seniors.
"It is a very relaxed atmosphere," said Jarvis. "It doesn't have to be an hour. It could be 30 minutes."
Born and raised in Westford, Huntington has lived on Concord Road for at least 55 years.
Although Huntington says he is not lonesome, he welcomes occasional visits.
"I don't want to get tied down," he joked. "I might get married again in a couple of years."
The retired truck driver still drives to Skip's Restaurant in Chelmsford almost every morning for breakfast. He has been going there for 40 years.
"There's no better breakfast," he said.
Fred, who has lived in Westford for eight years, decided to volunteer when he retired three years ago. He went to the Senior Center and his first assignment was watering the landscaping.
Wanting to be around people, Fred began visiting Miriam, another homebound senior.
He chatted with her once a week and did a few odd jobs around her house. Fred and his wife and children went to visit her at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
"I made such an impact on her life," said Fred. "And for the most part, all I did was show up and listen and talk."
Fred said he became Miriam's best friend. He was one of five people at her funeral last summer.
"You just do a little thing and it becomes so big on the other end," he said.
If you would like to volunteer to be a friendly visitor or know someone who might like a friendly visitor, contact Rita Jarvis at 978-399-2326.
|
|
