Summer 2024
Improving the quality of life for people as they age.
GaryandHazelwerematchedthroughtheHomeSharePrograminNovember.
Finding Friendship and Home: Combating Senior Isolation
and High Living Costs Through Home Share
Gary and Hazel like to joke that they may not be married but are definitely “joined at the hip.”
The pair are a shining example of how our Home Share Program is helping combat not only the rising cost of living for seniors in our community but isolation and loneliness as well.
Open to anyone 18 and older, Home Share brings people who have space in their homes together with those in need of housing, as
long as at least one person in the match is a senior. Home Providers may offer reduced rent to Seekers in exchange for an agreedupon amount of support, which can be anything from help with household chores, transportation or even just someone to chat over coffee with.
Gary and Hazel have been sharing a home for eight months and Gary, the home provider in the pair, is adamant that it’s not just about the financial relief Hazel provides.
“The money does help, but that’s not the main thing. It’s my mental health,” Gary says.
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HOME SHARE
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It’s clear from watching the pair that they have become great friends. They laugh and support each other with every conversation, often reminding one another of things they might have forgotten like medication or an upcoming appointment. They both say that the bond of friendship is something they were seeking in a Home Share match and both went through a couple of candidates before settling on one another.
“[The other candidates] just weren’t a good fit,” says Hazel, Gary nodding along beside her. “We have a lot of the same interests, we don’t get mad, we talk .”
Hazel says that many of her friends and family have commented that she seems much happier now that she’s sharing a home with Gary, something she attributes to all facets of the program.
It’s the security of knowing I have a home,” she says. “It’s knowing I feel at home.”
This feeling of home is exactly what Home Share focuses on. Once a person is accepted into the program, the real work begins. Home Share gets to really know the applicant, learning their likes and dislikes, personality type and what they’re looking for in a match. From there, the team looks at their pool of clients and finds the perfect candidates to reach success.
Hazel,Garyand Gary’sdogNacho. Garyjokesthat sometimes Nacho likes Hazel more than him!
“I wish more people would do this,” says Gary. “It’s an amazing program!”
Home Share is a unique program within our organization that is fully funded by grants. We are grateful to the City of Lacey, the City of Olympia, South Thurston County and the Regional Housing Council for their financial support!
Interested in applying for Home Share? Scan the QR code for applications and more information!
southsoundseniors.org/home-share
Cultivating Our Future: Growing Together with Senior Services for South Sound
Planting a Wisteria vine may be one of the most ambitious and hopeful things one can do in their garden. I just did that this past weekend. Oh the blooms that are soon to come! And…gosh the pruning that must be done. I’m thinking growing Wisteria is a bit like running Senior Services for South Sound. Full of promise, energy and beauty, and yet a steady hand is needed to avoid unsupportable growth. You wouldn’t believe the number of good ideas we receive every week. Truly, many, many good ideas. Yet we are limited by human power and finances from pursuing all of these wonderful things.
There is a natural tension between our need to change and grow, and the pace of that change and growth. Demographics tell us that the senior population will continue to boom for some decades. Local cities and the State are preparing for this so-called “silver tsunami” as they craft their required plans for the future. Senior Services will not be sitting on our hands as our client population booms around us. We’ve got an amazing and energized Board, over 300 eager volunteers, and a dedicated staff I wouldn’t trade with any nonprofit in Washington.
So the question becomes twofold. One, we must figure out how best to grow to meet the larger and changing needs of seniors in the years ahead. That’s plain. Second, we need to grow our support in the community so we can afford to serve those seniors! That’s where you come in. Senior Services would never have made it these past 50 years without support from people like you. Going forward, we need more of you! Together, we must grow our support and services for seniors so that they continue to thrive in South Sound. This newsletter tells just a few stories of how we achieve our mission today. Will you please help us spread the word so we can meet the growing needs of the future?
Brian Windrope Executive Director
Thank you to our Local Partners:
Miles of Kindness: Volunteer
Drivers Making a Difference
Don Silver is one of 27 volunteer drivers who keep our Transportation Program running smoothly. Whether bringing folks to essential medical appointments or simply to get groceries, Don takes great pleasure and pride in helping other seniors. He understands, on a personal level, the need for this service, because he came to our program when he himself required help.
“I needed cataract surgery and was having trouble finding someone willing to take me there and back,” he That’s when he learned about our free Transportation Program. In the end, he found a friend to drive him to that appointment. But after discovering our program he decided to volunteer, and has been with us since 2022.
Our Transportation Program specifically serves seniors who can’t use Intercity Transit or Dial-a-Lift to get to their
Transportation in 2024
• 1,549 Trips Taken
• 50,667 Miles Driven
• 133 Unique Clients
• 27 Volunteer Drivers
• 2,858 Volunteer Hours Donated
*AsofMay31,2024
There are so many people who are, say, a mile from a bus route,” noted Don. “But if you’re using a walker, a mile is a long way! I had a rider who lived at the bottom of Nisqually Hill. The closest bus to her was up at the top. Well, that’s not possible. It was over a mile uphill. No way!”
Transportation Manager David Pizzimenti, who oversees the program, can’t say enough about Don and the other drivers. “Every one of my volunteers is so dedicated and so reliable. The team that I’m working with couldn’t be better. I get to say yes to almost every request and I know that I can fulfill it with a very competent person.”
MEALS ON WHEELS
Lifesaving Support:
Edith, Gladys and Meals on Wheels
When we think of Meals on Wheels, generally we have the concept down pat and think of those who receive those meals as a collective senior population. But what about individuals? Who are the clients who receive and rely on these meals?
Senior Nutrition Program Director Stephanie Penland recently shared a story of two women we’ll call Edith and Gladys.
“One day I got a call from Edith who was extremely worried about her friend’s failing health,” she says.
Edith told her how much Gladys needed meals for the week, but was a private person and faced a lot of fear when it came to undergoing an assessment, so she put it off.
“We worked it out that Edith could fill out the necessary form to get Gladys the meals she needed, she only needed a week’s worth after all,” Stephanie says.
After two months, Gladys suffered a “massive” heart attack . This time it was Gladys who reached out to us for support and with the help of Edith once again, Stephanie and SNP ensured she had everything she needed.
Gladys now receives meals on a consistent basis according to Stephanie.
“She called back and said that the meals were a godsend,” says Stephanie. “She was so appreciative and told me:
I
just wanna thank you again for helping me it’s saving me. The meals are a godsend because, frankly, I can’t cook.”
Every day seniors in our community rely on the volunteers and members of the SNP staff, not just for meals, but the support and companionship they receive.
Find out more about our Senior Nutrition program!
southsoundseniors.org/ meals-on-wheels
Fred Timmer, Meals On Wheels volunteer driver,loadinghis vaninpreparation forhisweeklyroute.
Want to support the PALS Fund? Scan the QR code and make your gift online!
southsoundseniors.org/pals
Seeing her with her dog Leo, it was so clear how important the relationship of animal and senior can be.
In 2023, The PALS Fund helped 208 seniors, covering more than $79,000 in vet bills. This year, we expect to do even more. Through May of this year, we have already paid out $30,843 to assist 113 seniors. While we are on track to help more than 250 seniors in 2024, the need is much greater than we’re able to accommodate.
seniors and their pets
Compassion in Action: PALS,
For seniors living alone, pets provide companionship and emotional support that can ease the damaging effects of isolation and loneliness. But for low-income seniors living on limited fixed incomes, veterinary bills can be overwhelming.
That’s why The PALS Fund is making a real difference in our community. This vital program, supported entirely by grants and donations, helps to pay vet bills for seniors who simply cannot afford the cost of healthcare for their animal companions.
If
you’re on a limited income, you can’t take your babies who you love so dearly to the vet.” Claudia, one of the many seniors we’ve helped this year, told us.
“We can’t help everyone, which breaks my heart,” said PALS Coordinator Kristy Wilkins, whose phone practically rings nonstop with requests for aid. Kristy works with 41 vets in Thurston and Mason County to coordinate care, including Olympia Veterinary Hospital, West Olympia Veterinary Hopsital and South Bay Veterinary Hospital. Care can be preventative or emergency.
So far this year, 145 people have supported The PALS Fund with a gift, raising more than $55,000. We are so grateful to everyone who believes in this very important program.
Thank you to our sponsors:
Olympia Veterinary Hospital
West Olympia Veterinary Hospital
South Bay Veterniary Hospital
222 Columbia St NW
Olympia, WA 98501
