Last week we talked about how you can help the elderly, this week we'll talk about why you should. 

Many of our clients face a life of isolation and poverty through no fault of their own. These are not life-long welfare recipients. These are people, just like you and I, who have worked hard all their lives, raised their families, contributed to their community, paid their taxes, and saved for their retirement. 

That's the life most of us live each and every day. We work and look forward to enjoying a relaxing, enjoyable retirement -- maybe filled with trips to places we've always wanted to go; time spent enjoying family and friends; leisurely, carefree days. 

Well, so much for daydreaming. Getting back to the real world, we soon learn that retirement may not be all that it's cracked up to be. One major health episode can soon wipe out a life's savings. Oh, yes, there is Medicare, you say. 

Well, ask anyone who has Medicare and you'll hear the same thing. The coverage is not what you'd be used to with your employer's coverage. Not to mention the confused state Medicare will leave you in. 

The cost of living continues to climb each year and, unfortunately, Social Security and retirement payments do not keep up with the rise. Taxes keep increasing; medical costs are spiraling out of control. Suddenly you are no longer able to cut the grass, perform heavy chores, and do the home repairs you once did for yourself. All of these items will now require someone else to do them -- someone you will be paying for their service. 

The price of gas and insurance will cause you to wonder how much longer you can afford to drive your own car, or you will find yourself unfit physically or mentally to be behind the wheel. Then comes paying someone to drive you. 
All of a sudden the golden years of retirement you were looking forward to have become a nightmare without end. 

So, you say, you're preparing for your retirement. You've been saving; your employer has a good retirement plan; you're all set and nothing will tarnish your enjoyable retirement. Well, for you I have only one word -- Enron. 

There is not one employee of Enron who did not think they were set for life -- a lifetime of medical coverage, big retirement checks -- everything anyone could possibly wish for a long and prosperous retirement. Well, as we all know, those dreams were shattered in a heartbeat. 

Perhaps our clients' stories are not quite as dramatic as the Enron employees, but their golden years have been tarnished by rising inflation, declining health, and escalating healthcare costs. All through no fault of their own. 

And, they need our help. They deserve our help. It is a pitiful society that does not respect and take care of its elderly. The elderly who have fought for our freedom, paid taxes to educate and support the children of this country, contributed to their community, volunteered for many causes, and paved the way for better rights and living conditions for those of us who followed them. 

We serve hundreds of local families during the course of the year with a varied schedule of services. Many of our clients' income is so low that there is no way they can afford to pay the state-mandated co-payment for the services they receive, nor can they afford to make donations to Senior Friendship Centers. 

This, of course, we understand. 

Our programs are funded through federal, state, county, and city grants, as well as individual foundation grants, private donations, and lots of fundraising. We are extremely fortunate to have community support in DeSoto County. 

Unfortunately, our funding, like that of everyone else, does not stretch as far as it use to. We are always looking for the availability of new grants, seeking donations, and trying to make ends meet. 

Senior Friendship Centers will soon celebrate 33 years of service to the elderly of Southwest Florida, and is renown nationwide as a reputable, innovative leader in the area of aging services. That's 33 years of experience, 33 years of building a reputation, 33 years of honesty and integrity, 33 years of being acclaimed a leader in the field of healthy aging. Past, present and future, the elderly have been able to and can continue to rely on SFC to provide the services needed to remain in their homes as long as possible. 

Helping our elderly today will help to ensure that programs such as ours are around in the years to come when people such as you and I are possibly in need of assistance too. Help an elderly person today. There may be the lady down the street who can use help with her yard work. There might be an elderly gentleman who could use a ride to the store or someone to pick up groceries for him. There are agencies such as SFC-DeSoto who can use your help -- either financially or as a volunteer. 

Remember, together we can make DeSoto County a caring place to grow old. 
Karen Blanchette is Director of Senior Friendship Centers of DeSoto County and can be reached at 863-494-5965. 

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