BOULDER Matters Volume 26, No. 1 • winter 2016
Story of HOPE
Forging Lasting Friendships
At 92 years old,
it is not so common for people to move from a retirement community, but that is exactly what Evelyn Bell did last year when she moved in with her adult daughter, Valerie. The two women wanted to spend more time together and since Evelyn was still in perfect health, the two became housemates again and that is when JFS became part of their lives. Valerie reached out to JFS to learn about resources for her mother, and JFS volunteer coordinator, Ingrid Swords, connected Evelyn with a Friendly Visitor volunteer, Jill Maxwell, who happened to live just two blocks away. Jill was excited to “get another Jewish mother” and the two had a wonderful rapport from the start. Valerie says, “Jill was fantastic—she walked in the first time and it was like she had known my mom forever.” Jill came for weekly visits and played cards, watched some of Evelyn’s favorite shows, and heard wonderful stories of Evelyn’s past. In December 2014, Evelyn fell and broke her hip. Valerie became a caregiver and everything changed. “I couldn’t keep up with everything,” Valerie explained. Fortunately, the Bells had JFS to lean on. That is when Jodi Ansell, JFS care manager, stepped in and invited Valerie to attend a caregiver support group for adult children. There Valerie found the support she needed and learned about community resources not only for her mother, but for herself as a full time caregiver. Valerie explains, “All the people who came to give me respite helped
Valerie and Evelyn Bell.
make my life more normal. They saved my life because I could get out of the house, take a break, and get some perspective.” Fortunately, Evelyn recovered from her hip surgery and is doing remarkably well. However, Jill was recently diagnosed with “I know Jill will cancer and had to stop her visits. Since she’s in the neighborhood, always be part the women still keep in touch and of our lives.” Valerie brings food and gifts to Jill. —Valerie Bell “The nicest thing that came out of my volunteer experience with the Bells is that I know they are in the neighborhood and we can look after each other,” says Jill. continued on page 2