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For those too infirm to get to the site, RSVP also offers home-delivered meals. That service, according to RSVP coordinator Jeanie McNear, is often used by those just home from hospitals who need time to recuperate.
For seniors unable to do other chores at home, Mrs. McNear added, the CSC can also provide home service aides who can come into the home and do light cleaning and other housework, as well as provide personal care for those seniors unable to care for themselves.
That service is one which is constantly falling short of the demand, she said. “It’s difficult to find volunteer aides to do that work . . . the schedule is tight, but we still do referrals anyway. Things can change.”
Where possible, the CSC works closely with the county’s Department of Social Services to combine programs and avoid duplication of services.
“The volunteers are invaluable,” said Social Services aging specialist Nancy Reeve. “Many people would never be able to stay in their homes without help.” The assistance can range from just stopping by to check in on the resident, to coming in and preparing hot meals.
That simple personal contact can often be as important as the services provided by the aides, Mrs. Morgan stressed. “The contact with other humans is what keeps them going,” Mrs. Reeve agreed.
And sometimes, the Department of Social Services provides leads for the CSC staff through its own procedures. Mrs. Morgan told of one individual who was evaluated by a Social Services employee and found to have a visual handicap. Through the RSVP program, transportation was arranged for doctor’s appointments and surgery to remove cataracts, and that individual is now back in his own home and able to take care of himself.
That, Mrs. Morgan and Mrs. Reeve explained, is only one example of the close cooperation between the agencies which goes on all the time. “Senior advocates place an emphasis on assessment. They spend several hours with each client, and often pick up on problems missed by cursory examinations,” Mrs. Morgan said.
“Rappahannock is unique,” Mrs. McNear added, “because people know people from generations past. And, newcomers move in and meet their neighbors. That keeps continuity.”
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