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RSVP's Friendly Visitor program fills two voids at one time

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Photo by Bill Olmsted

Bonnie Myers visits with an elderly married couple in Janesville as part of her work with the RSVP program.

JANESVILLE — Birds fluttered at the birdfeeders outside the window where Bonnie Myers sat.

She didn't notice. Her focus was on the elderly couple across from her.

The 85-year-old man and his 86-year-old wife were listening intently as Myers told about her morning volunteering at the literacy council and her drive to their home through winter's first snowstorm.

"I come in and just gab," said Myers, a "friendly visitor" from the Seniors Volunteering for Seniors Program, which is part of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.

"We really appreciate her coming," the man said.

"It's really nice," his wife agreed.

They asked that their names not be published because they live alone in their home.

Myers has been visiting the couple weekly since August. Hour-long visits have stretched into three hours.

While the visits fill a void for Myers, who lost her husband just over a year ago, they also provide a social connection for the couple.

"I have friends to do things with and volunteer elsewhere, but I feel like I'm coming to visit my family. I enjoy it and look forward to coming. They're so much fun," Myers said.

The couple's adult daughter said she's amazed how much her parents and Myers have in common.

"My parents read the newspaper and watch the news daily, discuss current topics and life. Bonnie is involved in the community, so she can talk about what she does. That interests them and also break up the monotony for them," she said.

Myers has become acquainted with the couple's family and feels comfortable calling them with concerns.

"We welcome that, and it's a help for us. We do our best to help, but most of us have obligations, too," the daughter said.

A friendly visitor with the Seniors Volunteering for Seniors Program visits seniors and disabled adults 55 and older in their homes as little or as often as the volunteer likes.

"Most of the time it's once a week," said Patty Hansberry, program coordinator.

Seniors Volunteering for Seniors also offers transportation, respite relief and phone assurance, she said.

The programs have 69 volunteers, but more volunteers are needed, except for the transportation program, Hansberry said.

Between the friendly visitor and phone assurance programs, 10 people are waiting to be matched with volunteers in each program, she said.

"It's just someone to check, see how they are doing and to visit with," Hansberry said.

Volunteers providing respite relief give primary caregivers time to run errands or attend appointments, she said.

"It gives someone a chance to do things they otherwise couldn't do," Hansberry said.

Although potential volunteers are required to go through a background check and fill out forms, it's not difficult to become a volunteer, she said.

"Mostly, it's having the time to do it," she said.

Hansberry said she expects the number of Seniors Volunteering for Seniors program participants to increase this year.

"So there will be even a bigger need for volunteers," she said.

VOLUNTEER BENEFITS

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program volunteers receive these benefits:

-- Personal accident and liability insurance and supplemental auto liability insurance while volunteering.

-- Reimbursement for transportation expenses, including 51 cents a mile, and other out-of-pocket expenses related to volunteering.

-- Orientation, training and continuous support plus follow-up from RSVP and the volunteer station the volunteer is assigned to.

-- Recognition during annual events, birthday cards, quarterly newsletters, a permanent name tag to wear while volunteering and a lapel pin plus awards for years of service given at the recognition event.