Stories of Service

Betty has been an invaluable volunteer in the Senior Companion Program since July 2001. During her eight years of service she has served many in-home clients. She is currently providing respite care for Mr. & Mrs. Williams. Mrs. Williams had a fall in 9/07 which left her with a broken leg and two broken ribs that resulted in nursing home placement. She has returned home with limited ability to walk, memory problems and a history of poor decision-making. Her husband is a very active 88 year-old gentleman who needs the time to go to a shop down the street where he raises chickens and does engine repair on tractors and small engines. Both the client and the spouse feel they need a break from each other occasionally but he is afraid if he leaves her alone. She had a tendency of going outside to look for him; he was afraid she would fall again as she did before resulting in her return to the nursing home. Mrs. Williams enjoys spending time with Betty. With Betty’s assistance, Mrs. Williams is able to walk on a regular basis. She has also passed on information she has learned through the Senior Companion training on Falls Prevention. Mrs. Williams is thankful she is able to be home with her husband through the assistance she gets from the Senior Companion Program.