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Ben Perry is a lively and compassionate Caring Neighbor at the Eskaton Jefferson Manor senior residence. His concern for isolated and lonely neighbors has inspired him to make a difference. Always outgoing, Ben works diligently to reach out to those in need while inspiring friendliness among neighbors. Ben can oftentimes be found with older neighbors who do not have regular visitors, or lending a hand with tasks such as taking bread donations to those in need. Ben spearheaded a Caring Neighborhoods group effort, “Senior Day in the Park,” to reduce isolation among elderly neighbors and promote friendships in his community. In Ben’s words, “I want the seniors to enjoy themselves and get to know each other.” Ben and a team of volunteers solicited donations from several businesses, which provided food and prizes, including a bus trip for 4 to Reno, which made a difference for many older neighbors who do not have the opportunity to leave the community very often. Nearly 80 neighbors enjoyed a barbecue lunch, musical entertainment, and an exhibition by the Sacramento Police Department’s K-9 Unit, which was a big hit. Paratransit, Inc. provided transportation for elderly neighbors with walkers and wheelchairs who could not drive to the park. Going the extra mile, Ben made sure that all leftovers went home with each senior. Everyone enjoyed such a fantastic day that neighbors continue to chat about it. Senior, Mrs. D., who uses a wheelchair, remarked “I haven’t been to the park in years. I rarely get out to have fun.” Aside from the food and fun, a greater effort emerged as Ben’s ultimate goal. Older neighbors built friendships that continued after the Park Day. Working together to help each other with small challenges as they get older was the theme of the day, and an effort that Ben exemplifies. Thank you, Ben, for making a difference in your neighborhood! |
Summer Tips to Your Help Elderly Neighbors!
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During hot weather spells, work with your neighbors to check on older neighbors during the day. See our heat brochure online in our “Publications” section at www.caringneighborhoods.org. Share information about classes offered at the Hart Senior Center or senior program at a nearby community center. Encourage an older neighbor to take an art class, join an exercise group, or participate in a computer seminar. Help an older neighbor participate in the “Books by Mail” program with the Sacramento Library. Check out books from home and receive them in the mail. This is a great resource for those who no longer drive. Call 575-3450. Work with your neighbors to inform older neighbors about Falls Prevention in their homes. Small obstacles such as a throw rug or long phone cord can cause an older person to fall and sustain grave injuries. You can make the difference. Assist an older neighbor in setting up online or automatic bill payments. Help organize an electronic filing system to maintain personal records. Save paper while helping an older neighbor and protect our environment. Contact payment vendors or your financial institution to learn more. For information to help your elderly neighbors with any of these tips, please call 808-1594 or email tgray@cityofsacramento.org. |
Do you know of a CARING NEIGHBOR who deserves to be recognized? We would love to hear about your efforts! Please contact Tracey Gray at (916) 808-1594 or tgray@cityofsacramento.org and let us know how you are making a difference in your neighborhood! |
Eco-Friendly Tip |
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Help an elderly neighbor go paperless! Assist him or her in scheduling automatic bill payments or paying bills online, and establish an accessible personal filing system to keep track of personal records. For more information, contact your financial institution or payment vendors.
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High School Students as Caring Neighbors |
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Specifically, students planned two large projects for neighborhood seniors, a “Senior Prom” and “Disaster Preparedness Kits and Training.” For each project, students sought in-kind donations from local businesses, planned all details, and executed each task with enthusiasm and compassion. The “Senior Prom” was hosted at a low-income senior residence near LBHS. As student Choon Her shared, “We want the seniors to remember their senior prom and have fun with us.” Students planned the “Exotic Summer” theme, decorated the room with tropical props, provided live musical entertainment with students performing a variety of dances, selected a “Prom King and Queen,” took “Prom” photos of the seniors, and truly made it an enjoyable day for their elderly neighbors. During the finale dance, some seniors joined in to dance with a group of students. Senior, Mrs. B. told volunteers “This Prom meant a lot to us. We will always remember it.” Also, students helped 50 elderly neighbors prepare for a major disaster by distributing 72-hour emergency kits and sharing information about disaster preparedness. As students completed Neighborhood Emergency Training (NET) through the Sacramento Region Corps Council, students needed to utilize acquired skills through a culminating experience. After hearing the stories of helpless elderly victims during Hurricane Katrina, students chose to provide disaster kits to neighborhood seniors who are the most vulnerable during a major emergency. Through a generous grant from Gifts to Share, Inc., and donations from Wal-Mart, Walgreens, and Home Depot, students assembled disaster kits, including items such as blankets, long-burning candles, flashlights, and others. Students encouraged senior recipients to identify all medications and store them in one location, select a third-party friend or relative out of state to notify in case phone lines are tied up during an emergency, and identify two possible evacuation locations such as a church or friend’s house where loved ones can find them should a disaster strike our area. The PSSLC is a campus program encouraging students to pursue careers in public service. Students are required to complete community service hours and have participated in CN efforts since 2006. GREAT JOB LBHS students, and thank you for making a difference!
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Transit Options for Seniors |
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Transportation is a major part of our daily lives. For most of us, our well-being depends upon it. Picking up groceries from the store, visiting loved ones, going to the movies, or attending doctor’s appointments would not be possible without access to transportation. For seniors who no longer drive, losing the car keys can be a life-changing loss of independence. Oftentimes, seniors lose vital links to their livelihood, such as friends, activities, and proper nutrition. However, with a helping hand from neighbors, and access to local transit services, seniors can maintain links to the community, in spite of no longer driving. Small acts of kindness can make a difference! Offering a helping hand to design an alternative transportation plan, by choosing a bus route and schedule, applying for Paratransit, or providing a ride to a neighborhood bus stop or grocery store, can be the link that aids an older neighbor in living safely and independently in the community. |
Paratransit Folsom Stage Line – 355-8395 |
| Caring Neighborhoods is a neighborhood-based volunteer program, through the City of Sacramento, Office of Older Adult Services, encouraging neighbors to work together to help elderly neighbors with small tasks so that they may live safely and independently at home. |
| Caring Neighborhoods Program City of Sacramento South Natomas Community Center 2921 Truxel Road Sacramento, CA 95833 (916) 566-1594 tgray@cityofsacramento.org www.caringneighborhoods.org |
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Students from the Public Services Small Learning Community at Luther Burbank High School are making a world of difference for neighborhood seniors. During the school year, students contributed nearly 600 hours of service, and continue to touch the lives of elderly neighbors.
