In America, 795,000 people experience a stroke each year — which means every forty seconds, someone experiences a stroke and may be instantly stricken with the debilitating after-effects.¹

Annie, like so many others, experienced a stroke that rendered one side of her body unusable. Living alone, and with little family in the Rappahannock region, she was left with few options for getting around. She was isolated.

Mental Health America of Fredericksburg (MHAF) wanted to help.

Through the Senior Visitors Program, MHAF was able to match this isolated senior citizen with a volunteer who would change her life forever.

Liz was always active in the community, volunteering for outreach projects, and taking part in the annual Senior Visitors walk. After being approved as a senior visitor, and taking a Saturday volunteer orientation, Liz was quickly matched with Annie as a visiting friend.

They became fast friends, grabbing lunch or running errands once a week. One afternoon, Liz invited Annie to volunteer with her in a community outreach project. After her stroke, Annie never expected to be a part of Fredericksburg life again – much less contribute her time to others that needed help. She couldn’t wait to get out and give back to others.

Now, these two amazing women volunteer together – spending their weekly visits helping the community. They even join in the Senior Visitors walk each year – Annie in a wheelchair and Liz gladly pushing her along.

Annie would never have had the opportunity to serve others without the dedication and help of her visiting friend. Since meeting Liz, she feels like her family has been extended. Not only does she have a friend and “sister” in Liz, she can invite those she serves each week into her family – her extended family.

To extend your family and become a senior visitor, check out our volunteer application.

Or, read more stories about the people that have been changed through our Senior Visitors Program.

#familyextended #mhaf

Source:
1.  American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

Every other Saturday, Mark sets his alarm a little earlier. Eager to get out the door – but never forgetting his pocket white-board – he makes his way to meet Benjamin.

Mark and Benjamin met through the Senior Visitors Program. Of all the resources that Mental Health America of Fredericksburg (MHAF) offers, Mark felt that this was the one for him.

When Mark first got approved to be a visiting friend, he couldn’t wait to get matched with someone. He missed his Dad, who had always been a big part of his life. Now, he had a chance to extend his family, and hopefully spend time with someone that needed a son – like he needed a dad.

However, it came as a shock when he was asked to partner with a deaf gentleman. He couldn’t speak sign language, and didn’t have a lot of experience around someone with that type of disability. But, willing to give it a shot, he agreed.

Benjamin, having waited months to be matched with a volunteer, was nervous the first morning he met with Mark. They had agreed on breakfast – both loving coffee and pastries.

Their conversation started slow, but it didn’t take long to realize that this was just the right match. They both love history, reading, and a good Danish. And, although Ben could read lips and respond verbally, Mark bought a little travel white-board for when the conversation got confusing.

Benjamin looks forward to their chats, reminded of his son every time they meet.

Every other Saturday, they sit down for breakfast and discuss the things that make Fredericksburg such a historically significant place. Mark even took Ben on a Trolley Tour. Since Ben couldn’t hear the tour guide’s remarks, Mark brought a book about downtown Fredericksburg. Each time they stopped to discuss an area of town, he simply flipped to the right page so that Ben could read and join in the fun.

Mark still misses his Father, but Benjamin is part of his family now, too. Ben jokingly calls Mark his son when they’re introduced to a new waitress, or bump into an old friend. And, Mark introduces Ben as his “long-lost Dad.”

To extend your family and become a senior visitor, check out our volunteer application.

Or, read more stories about the people that have been changed through our Senior Visitors Program.

#familyextended #mhaf

In our own hometown, MHAF is meeting the needs of an important population.

Depression is the most common mental health problem that older adults deal with as they age, and the loneliness that many seniors feel is a major reason why 20% of all deaths by suicide occur in people aged 65 and older. Fredericksburg has a place for seniors to turn to for help if they feel isolated and alone. MHAF’s Senior Visitor Program was created 15 years ago to reach out to this vulnerable population, with a goal of socializing seniors while helping them maintain their independence.

Friendships Blossom Between Volunteers and Seniors

The program matches isolated, home-bound seniors with volunteers who commit to spend one hour per week with their match as a way to provide an important social connection and companionship to those who need it.

“It’s amazing that some volunteers have been with us for 15 years,” says Teresa Bowers, director of the program. “Many times the volunteers meet more than once a week, and it’s not uncommon to see something develop that is much more than a client/ volunteer relationship– it’s a real friendship.”

When they connect with MHAF monthly, volunteers often mention how blessed they feel to be part of the program, and how the relationship has enriched their own lives in a meaningful way.  Seniors discuss how much the friendship means to them and how it has filled an emptiness that they once felt.

Volunteers Improve Senior’s Quality of Life

Volunteers do more than provide companionship and help seniors maintain their independence, they also advocate for their senior by becoming the eyes and ears for any needs that may crop up. Training is provided that teaches the volunteer what to look for, and if a problem occurs, Bowers can find the resource to fix it.

“Sometimes a volunteer finds a sign of dementia or depression before anyone else notices it, and we can refer them so they can receive help,” says Bowers. “Our ultimate goal is to keep that senior living in their home as long as possible while providing that vital social connection that reduces the risk of depression. ”

A newsletter, card remembrance program, and two annual gatherings also offer a chance for volunteers and seniors to make connections with other members of the program and community.

Are You Ready to Extend Your Family?

With more seniors enrolled in the program than volunteers to match them with, the Senior Visitors Program is asking for help. If you are ready to bring joy into the life of a senior, and have your family extended, MHAF wants to hear from you. For more information about volunteering or to refer a senior citizen to the program, call 540-371-2704 or email us.

#familyextended #mhaf

Fishing. That’s always the activity of choice when 9-year-old Tyler gets together with Bill.

Tyler’s mom – Jennifer — had been homeschooling her three kids. Their current study focused on community service. They looked through the options, and when Tyler heard that Mental Health America of Fredericksburg (MHAF) offered a Senior Visitors Program, he wanted to find out more immediately.

While it’s required to be 18 years or older to be a visitor, Jennifer found out that families could volunteer. She and Tyler took the volunteer orientation together, and were excited to be assigned a senior that needed a friend.

After being referred to the Senior Visitors Program, Bill wasn’t sure what to expect. He felt lonely, and was grateful that someone had taken notice. His grandkids lived across the country, so it was a welcome surprise when he was informed that his visiting friend would be a 9-year-old boy with a heart for service.

Once Bill was identified as a good match, Jennifer and Tyler went on their first visit to Bill’s home. A kind and caring gentleman, Jennifer had no reservations when Bill asked to take Tyler fishing on their next visit.

As fishing buddies, Tyler and Bill often spend their weekly visits on the Rappahannock River. Tyler told Jennifer that he’s lucky, because not many kids get to have an extra grandfather.

To extend your family and become a senior visitor, check out our volunteer application.

Or, read more stories about the people that have been changed through our Senior Visitors Program.

#familyextended #mhaf

Our nation spends $350 billion annually to incarcerate, treat and respond to addiction—but it is a problem that jail cannot solve. The solution for the drug and alcohol addiction in America can be found among millions who are in active recovery. This army of Anonymous People, who number 23 million, remains a hidden resource in our communities, silenced because we are still unable to have real community conversations about addiction.

As an important step in our community, on May 27^th, Mental Health of America of Fredericksburg (MHAF) in cooperation with Caron Treatment Centers, Family Counseling Center for Recovery and Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center is presenting the documentary film, “The Anonymous People” to help give voice to this untapped resource and catalyze a community conversation.

The Conversation Begins

People in recovery are all around us, and their journey of recovery will take an important step forward with the premier of this ground-breaking film. MHAF believes that it is time to change the conversation surrounding addiction, starting a new dialogue that goes beyond stigma toward real partnerships. “The Anonymous People” Movie features interviews with a variety of individuals in long-term recovery that demonstrates how addiction is like any other health problem, and can be treated.

This important film showcases the hidden voices of addiction in the hopes that the perceptions of many will change and so that recovery solutions can find greater support.  If you are a community leader, someone involved in recovery support, own a local business or care about the future of our community, it is important that you plan to attend.

2/3 of American Families are Touched by Addiction

The free premiere will take place on Wednesday, May 27^th at Germanna Community College’s Fredericksburg Campus. There will be a reception at 5:45 pm with light refreshments provided by Caroline Street Catering. The reception will be followed by the film and a panel discussion with individuals who understand first hand the issues surrounding addiction. Panel members include a treatment provider, an individual dealing with addiction, and family members who have experienced addiction’s impact. Dessert and coffee will also be provided after the discussion.

Help Us Initiate New Progress on May 27th

As a community, we need to make progress on this issue and the goal of our evening is to identify next steps toward a different future. Our community may decide that we need to hold a town hall meeting, call for more support groups, or even create a cooperative action plan. MHAF is committed to support this shared process, and to help connect people to the information and resources that can help those affected by addiction.

Register for this free event.

Find out more about the “The Anonymous People”.