At 89, Eileen is a spunky, cute, white haired, nicely dressed, funny, sharp as a tack, very independent, woman – and in spite of her limitations, very proud and oh so frustrated that she couldn’t do all the things she “used to do — ‘I don’t know what happened but now I can’t do much Read more about Friday Friends: Sue and Eileen Pair Up[…]
Matt LaBelle
EFS was instrumental in allowing my Dad who was in his 80.s, to remain his fiercely independent self and inspired me to become a volunteer myself. EFS makes it easy to volunteer to support senior independence—on your schedule. Honestly, I get more than I give every single time.
I know that when an older individual retains independence, there are enormous neural benefits that help maintain proficiencies that would otherwise rapidly decline. I first contacted Eastside Friends of Seniors shortly after my Mother passed away in 2015. My Dad was in his 80’s, living alone, and wanted to keep it that way. Even with three loving adult children, he was lonely and needed something more than my siblings and I could give.
Knowing he was a recent widower, EFS sent out the very compassionate Ramona to visit Dad and find out the best ways EFS could support him, on his own terms. It was touching to see her with him, so considerate of my Dad, his needs and feelings. I’m certain she would have talked to him all day if he wanted. She found a match for Dad in Roger.