FAYETTEVILLE--Sometimes just a little bit of help can make a huge difference in the lives of people over age 60 who can no longer drive. A ride to the doctor. A trip to the grocery store. Delivery of a prescription. Or just a visit from someone who reaffirms the worth of a senior by being willing to spend some time visiting.

“When seniors are unable to provide for their own transportation, they need a support system,” said Jaclyn Keeter, director of Development & Outreach Services, Washington Regional Medical Foundation. “A lot of times they don’t have family members who live locally, or who can take time off work to transport their parent to a doctor. When people can’t age the way they want to, being independent, they start losing themselves. They feel they have served their purpose and now are not important. Our Faith In Action volunteers help these elderly people stay independent. This is making a significant difference in a very vulnerable population. We are designed to be that important piece of the pie so they can stay independent as long as possible.”

Washington Regional’s Faith in Action was founded in 1996 with the help of a $25,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. They started with a half-time position, and have now grown to include the equivalent of three full-time employees, including two volunteer coordinators, one in Benton County and one in Washington County.

“Our mission is to help seniors 60 years and older once they can no longer drive,” Keeter said. “We have volunteers who provide free non-medical services to keep people independent and in their homes. It might be their home they have had for years, an apartment, assisted living, or a rehab facility. Often times, we start with a senior in one place and as they migrate to other living situations, we go with them.”

In 2014, they had 113 volunteers assisting 104 clients with services such as transportation to appointments (the appointments can be with any healthcare provider, not just those affiliated with Washington Regional) and help with procuring food, supplies and medicine. Volunteers are usually matched with a client who lives nearby. At times it might take a couple of volunteers to care for one client.

The services needed are increasing.

“It is taking more volunteers to take care of one client on average than it has in recent years,” Keeter said. “The earlier age we take them in, the more independent they generally are. As we support them over time and they age, the need for help is greater. If they have Medicaid, sometimes they can get help in the home at no additional out-of-pocket cost. But there are countless seniors whose income is too high to qualify for Medicaid. But they don’t have enough money to be able to pay for services.”

Currently there is a waiting list for people who need services. Keeter said if they attract more volunteers, they will be able to take care of more elders.

In July, members of the Faith in Action Advisory Board visited with clients. Lori Walker, advisory board vice-chair, said she was inspired by what she saw visiting one of the clients.

“It was really heartwarming to see how much the visit meant to her,” Walker said. “She had dressed up, cleaned up her apartment, and communicated how valuable the visit was to her. One of the first things she did was read us a poem about what her volunteer means to her. For so many of them, the volunteer is their best friend. They also like that it is someone who is not being paid, who is doing it from their own free will. It was very meaningful for me to see this.”

Walker said she understands from her personal experience the challenges of families providing this type of care. Her grandmother lives in assisted living in Fort Smith. But with a busy professional life, it is hard for Walker to drive 90 miles one way to take her grandmother to the doctor and then 90 miles back home.

“I can tell you from my grandmother’s perspective, it is difficult to not be able to run down the street and get groceries, a prescription or a card for a grandson’s birthday,” Walker said. “And it goes beyond just fulfilling needs for food and medicine. They want to feel valued and that they are a priority to someone. Having someone volunteer to meet basic needs helps self-esteem.”

Walker said research shows that elders who are depressed and don’t feel valued are at risk for suicide.

“Research indicates that population is more likely to take their lives,” Walker said. “One in four suicide attempts in that population will be successful because of a feeling of hopelessness, not belonging, and not feeling valued.”

When the advisory board met recently with clients, the staff provided gift cards to a local store where items were purchased that the elder needs. Faith in Action also operates the Healthy Food Pantry and provides one week of food and other supplies to low-income clients per month.

The group’s fundraiser is Savor the Flavor, a popular restaurant walking tour on Dickson St. in downtown Fayetteville where restaurants provide samples of their food. This year Savor the Flavor is scheduled Sept. 8 in Fayetteville, and has been expanded to also be held in downtown Bentonville Thursday, Sept. 17. Tickets can be purchased for one or both events.

How can you help?

• Volunteer by calling Faith in Action at 479-463-2113, or by sending an email to jkeeter@wregional.com.
• Attend the annual Savor the Flavor food tasting events in September.
• Participate with civic groups who come out to do larger group projects such as yard and home upkeep. On Sept. 16, 80 people were expected to repaint the outside of an elder’s home and re-carpet her house.