Sara’s Tears  

At the end of last year, a woman in her 80s, we’ll call her “Sara,” called the Senior Helpline Services Rides for Seniors program. It was difficult to understand her because she was sobbing.  She had just called Aging and Adult Services, and they had told her about our agency and that we might be able to help.  

Sara has been married for nearly 60 years to her childhood sweetheart, “Ted.” Until a few of years ago, except for household chores, Ted took care of everything, including driving the two of them wherever they needed to go. As a result, Sara had never learned to drive.  

Some time ago, Ted started forgetting, lots of things, including how to drive. Ted doesn’t recognize Sara anymore. She’s just that woman who helps him bathe, eat, and all that other stuff he can’t remember. She misses the man she adored for most of her life, but is keeping her wedding vow that goes…”in sickness and in health….”  

Sara needed help, not to take care of Ted (although a break would be nice now and then) but to take care of some her needs. Her teeth ached; her gums were bleeding; and she had a headache and swollen feet most of the time. She hadn’t seen a doctor or a dentist since Ted stopped driving over three years ago. They have no family in the area. A kind neighbor takes her to the grocery store when she can, but she works during the day and has a family to take care of, so Sara doesn’t ask her for rides for medical or dental care or for anything else. No buses serve her area; cabs cost more than she can spare; and besides she needs help walking.  

Senior Helpline Services has changed Sara’s life. She has had several trips to the dentist. Her gums don’t bleed anymore, and her teeth have stopped aching.  She has a few more dental visits scheduled along with a promise from SHS that she will arrive on time for her appointments, get where she needs to go with help, and be driven home safely, at no charge.  

A Rides for Seniors volunteer driver also took her to see her doctor and to the lab and pharmacy. She is now on medication for her headaches and high blood pressure. The swelling in her feet has diminished to the point she can wear shoes again instead of her slippers and has an easier time walking.  She knows that our volunteer drivers will to take her back to the doctor for future appointments.  

She has a Reassurance phone friend who calls her several times a week and listens to her with compassion and understanding. She receives greeting cards about every other month, including one for her birthday and one for Ted’s.  

She was referred to an agency that provides respite care so that she can leave her home for short periods without worrying about Ted.  

She has been referred to a support group for caregivers and gets a ride to and from meetings with one of the other participants. She knows if her new friend can’t take her to the meeting or her neighbor can’t take her grocery shopping, a Rides for Seniors volunteer driver will.  

Sara’s tears are now caused by joy instead of pain and despair.  

This is just one example of why we do what we do at Senior Helpline Services.