“Home Sweet Home.” It’s where the jovial Jolene wants to be and the words she’s currently stitching on a gift for a friend. “I embroider pillow covers, towels, and all kinds of gifts for my friends,” Jolene shares. “It keeps me busy and makes people happy.”

Alone at the beginning of the pandemic, Jolene was struggling. Legally blind without family close by, she shares, “I don’t drive and had to take the bus to the doctor and grocery store. Then a friend told me about ElderHelp. Everyone is so nice and so kind, driving me around, bringing me groceries, and even a holiday gift. It’s like having another family.”

Jolene’s daughter has since moved closer. “Being so far away, I was worried constantly. Once my mom found ElderHelp, I slept better at night knowing she had someone to count on. You are what kept her going—not just the food and rides, but the company. Now that I’m here, I can see the difference you’re making. She smiles a lot, and the world just seems brighter.

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For over 30 years, the names Yale and Judy have been synonymous with ElderHelp. “I see the mission as an urgent need,” cites Judy. That’s why we stay so involved. “Seniors deserve to be able to stay in their homes, to be independent, and to stay safe. We see ElderHelp as a way to make that happen.”

Growing up as an only child, Judy was inspired by the older adults in her life. “I’ve always had a great appreciation for seniors. They offer a lot of wisdom and great perspective—something you don’t always have when you’re younger.”

Judy’s passion has been magnified through her work on behalf of local seniors through ElderHelp. Currently serving as Advisory Board Chair, her advocacy through 30+ years of volunteer service has made a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of San Diego seniors and their families. Honored as ElderHelp’s Ambassador of the Year in 2014, Judy continues to serve as a champion for older adults in our community.

Yale shares Judy’s passion and can’t wait to resume duty as a Seniors A Go Go Volunteer when it’s safe to do so. “It feels good to drive people where they need to go. It’s a chance to talk and a chance to learn something new. That’s important for all of us.”

On behalf of all who benefit and serve with you, we thank you, Yale & Judy!

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​“You just bring a bright sunshine to my heart,” shares Peter. “Things have been so hard through this pandemic, and I’m so worried about going out. And I don’t have to because of all the nutritious food ElderHelp delivers. I’m loving the frozen meals.” It’s important to Peter to eat healthy. He’s on a transplant list and wants to make sure he’s in the best possible shape when he is called. In fact, it was while chatting with a fellow dialysis patient that Peter learned about ElderHelp.

In mid-March, when our world changed forever, many stores offered senior shopping hours, but the most vulnerable were still at risk. ElderHelp quickly expanded its grocery shopping service to include safe doorstep delivery by vetted volunteers, converting office space into a food pantry. Now delivering over 1,500 pounds of food and supplies weekly, ElderHelp supports more than 900 seniors living independently in their own homes. In addition to pantry delivery, ElderHelp provides transportation to essential medical appointments, daily check-in calls, rent relief advocacy, and more. Onboarding over 120 new volunteers since March, ElderHelp wraps seniors in the arms of a caring community.

“I’m just so appreciative of all you do,” shares Peter. I felt like for a while no one cared. Now, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude that I can be home and be healthy. My whole outlook has changed because I really see what’s good in people. I’m astounded by it, really. I can’t thank you enough.”

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This cultural couple came to San Diego more than 10 years ago to be near their daughter, who is a professor at UCSD. Born, raised, and educated in India, they both exhibit the gentle demeanor of their country. As sophisticated citizens of the world, they led prosperous lives on multiple continents, and now they’ve made San Diego their home. Both in their 80’s, they’ve developed some physical frailties and have a bit of trouble getting around. In 2012, they learned of ElderHelp, and we’ve been making their lives easier ever since. Through Seniors A Go Go they get to their doctor’s appointments, singing the praises of the “unfailingly professional and caring service” from their volunteer drivers. They have a regular volunteer grocery shopper and occasionally call us for extra support. Last year they were faced with the daunting task of moving to a new apartment. ElderHelp’s volunteers stepped in to help with the heavy lifting to make sure they were comfortable and safe in their new place. With grateful smiles, they share that our volunteer tradition in this country is rare in the world, and ElderHelp volunteers are the best of the lot.

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Jane has claimed San Diego as her home for almost all her life. But when you talk to her, you’ll hear some Tennessee, where she spent her entire childhood. Jane is a life scientist and a veterinarian. When Jane’s father died, she moved in with her mother to be a family caregiver, but balancing full-time work with full-time caregiving proved to be a daunting task. Discouraged with the quality of hired services, Jane came upon ElderHelp’s HomeShare program. With two extra bedrooms, Jane could exchange a comfortable room in her home for daily support for her mother. ElderHelp’s coordinators found the perfect roommates and executed service agreements for more than 10 years while her mother was alive. But it doesn’t end there. Not wanting to live alone after her mother passed away, Jane has continued the matching arrangement with ElderHelp. Because of her love of animals, she welcomes home seekers with pets. She’s had only one misgiving when a prospective renter asked about bringing not only her dog but also her snakes and frogs. Thanks to a sizable aquarium, the renter (and her menagerie) were welcomed!

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Anne and John have donated an aggregate 30 years of volunteer service to ElderHelp and were recently honored at Essence of Life with our Volunteer Spotlight Award. Anne was a librarian in Coronado when she saw an ad in the local newspaper for grocery shopping help needed for seniors. As a young adult who had left home, she watched her siblings care for their elderly mom, and in these later years she feels volunteering at ElderHelp is a symbolic way to take her turn in caring for seniors.

Watching Anne in action, and recalling his mother’s volunteer work, John knew he’d like to help too. So he started making RUOK calls to our clients one morning each week. That was fulfilling, but he found his real calling when he started helping with home repairs and garden maintenance. As years went by, John realized that there were hazards in some of the residences he visited. So he created a home safety inspection list and started making home modifications to reduce the risk falls in the home. He’s gone on to train a handy group of volunteers whose skillful dedication results in ElderHelp clients having a 10% lower incidence of falls than the average San Diego senior.

Recently, Anne has found her niche by driving seniors to doctor’s appointments and social engagements. She delights in conversation and the friendships made along the way.
And this dedicated couple has no intention of slowing down. They know they make a difference to this special population and to ElderHelp with the idea that paying it forward is just the right idea for all of us.

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