Meet Melly, an 87-year-old who lives alone and is estranged from her family. On a fixed income, she struggled with isolation and the difficulties of aging without a strong support system. Her days were marked with loneliness and declining mental health. Her deteriorating eyesight and lack of transportation made grocery shopping and other errands nearly impossible.
One day a kind neighbor referred Melly to our Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) program. This introduction was life changing for Melly. Through NHN, she has access to a range of services including food pantry support, grocery shopping trips, transportation services, group outings, and home visits.
A unique aspect of our NHN program is that it matches seniors with volunteers. They get to know each other and develop an easy rapport. Melly has developed friendships with other seniors and no longer feels isolated. Melly now has a support system through the NHN program.
A recent injury would have been devastating had it happened prior to being in the NHN program. Her Community Health Worker (CHW) assigned through NHN, was able to arrange in-home physical therapy. The support helped her recover in the comfort of her own home.
Melly expressed her gratitude for the program saying, "TCAA and the NHN program have helped me live healthier and stay living independently."
We don't do this work alone. Thanks to Season for Sharing and Arizona Complete Health for making it possible to help seniors like Melly.
