Pray
• Ask the Lord to comfort and protect the lonely in our city.
• Thank God for all those saints who have gone before us and built this
great city!
• Ask God to move in your congregation’s midst that hearts will be broken
for the elderly who long for companionship.
Build Friendships And Involve Your Church
• Consider ways to serve the older people in your congregation (e.g.,
visiting them, providing trips, book delivery services).
• Set up a support group in your church for caregivers of aged parents. An
Office of Aging worker reminds us, “The caregivers are often emotionally,
physically, and spiritually exhausted!”
• Join the Adopt A Senior program and sponsor the cost of monthly meals at
a cost of $59 per person by calling the Office on Aging Mobile Meals,
524-2786.
• Provide opportunities for the elderly to volunteer, to provide useful
service to your congregation, such as telephoning. Working together is a
great relationship builder. One worker comments, “Give them something
meaningful to do! Ask them to be prayer warriors and keep them updated on
prayer requests. Pair them up with younger people who could benefit from
their wisdom and experience.”
• Provide advocates to elder members to help to get to their doctor’s
offices, errands, help with writing and filling out forms, writing
letters. Most important, the volunteer would be a new friend.
• Older people need help with all sorts of things: meals, gardens and
minor home repair.
• Set up a book/video delivery service for the homebound. Include
large-print books.
Project LIVE (CAC Office on Aging): Barbara Heiser, 524-2786
Living Independently through Volunteer Efforts
• Minor home improvement (materials provided)
• Transportation to doctors’ appointments, shopping or much-needed trip to
see a friend across town.
• Pick up and deliver medicine. This is an urgent, emerging need.
Mobile Meals
(CAC Office on Aging): Jennifer Oaks, 524-2786
Deliver mobile meals to the homebound. Ask your Sunday school or small
group to adopt a route.
There are many (very) low-income women on the waiting list. Mobile meals
are not available over the weekend, so consider setting up a meal service
in your local community.
Nursing Homes
There are many nursing homes in the Knoxville area that are waiting for
younger friends like yourself to come with words of kindness and concern.
Your family will be stronger and life richer if you take the time to build
a friendship.
• Share your life and your family. Let your kids give hugs, bring cookies
and cards. Come regularly.
• Escort residents to activities and church services on site.
• Lead a worship service. Singing and dancing session would be greatly
appreciated.
• Read to the blind.
• Donate or provide funds for large print books.
Shannondale Friends Program
Rev. Dixie Lea Petrey, Chaplain, 690-3411
• Pray regularly for residents.
• Make weekly contact through visitation or sending cards.
• Involve the congregation in a ministry to residents (families can do
this together).
| Chart of Nursing Homes |
| North |
Beverly Health Care
Hillcrest
Jefferson City Health Center
Northhaven Healthcare
Sunbridge Care
Windwood Health Center
Serene Manor |
| South |
Asbury Acres, Maryville
Colonial Hills, Maryville
Fairpark Healthcare, Maryville
Maryville Healthcare
Hillcrest
Holston Health & Rehab |
| East |
Holston Health Center
NHC Healthcare Farragut |
| West |
Loudon Healthcare NHC Healthcare Outlook Pointe
Shannondale
Atria, Assisted Living
Baptist Health Care Center
Brakebill
Little Creek Sanitarium
Farragut Health Care
Hillcrest Medical Nursing
|
Volunteer at a Senior Community Center
Several local senior centers need caring folks to share time and talents
in their programs. Many of these are great places for entire families to
connect.
O’Connor Senior Center: Activities Center, 523-1135
• Teach classes (language, art, crafts and computer).
• Lead groups (gardening and fitness).
Westbrook Senior Center: Penny Bandy/Mary Cole, 558-0555
• Work with Alzheimer’s patients.
• Lead or help with many different types of classes/activities.
South Knox Community Center: Parks and Recreation, 573-3575
Young at Heart group meets here and seek good hearted volunteers.
• Help with dinners and parties for elderly.
• Transportation to and from events.
• Yard work: mowing, raking leaves.
Senior Citizen’s Home Assistance Service: Mary Burnett, 523-2920
• Adopt an elderly couple – run errands, cut grass, check on them, light
housekeeping, etc.
• People with medical background (knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease)
needed.
Reach Out And Serve Other Elderly Organizations
The Love Kitchen Food Pantry delivers meals to the homebound. Call
546-3248.
Alzheimer’s Association: Linda Johnson, 544-6288
Assist in the office. Will not be working directly with elderly.
CHIPS (Computers for Homebound and Isolated Persons): 215-5998
Provides used, donated computers and modems for homes of persons who are
isolated or homebound because of their own illness or caregiving
responsibilities. Also need several to install computers and internet
access for homebound people (some experience necessary).
St. Mary’s Health Systems Senior Services: Volunteer services, 545-7686
Samaritan Place (emergency shelter): Betsy Berkley, 545-7433
Spend time with elderly just reading to them, working puzzles, games,
crafts, etc. Be a friend to someone new!
Senior Services: Jim Burgess or Kathy Thomas, 769-8007
• Need sitters to relieve the workers so they can go to store, etc.
(clients need someone there 24 hour/day).
• Provide transportation for errands/doctors appointments, etc.
Help around an elderly person’s home. Do chores or yard work.
• Project LIVE, 524-2786
• Senior Citizens’ Home Assistance Service, 523-2920
Are You a Senior Who Is Looking for Ways to Volunteer?
Call the Knox County CAC Office on Aging, 524-2786.
• Senior Companion Program - Volunteers age 60+ assist older seniors with
daily tasks and earn a stipend.
• RSV (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) provides volunteers age 55
and over with opportunities to share skills and talents by serving
community agencies.
• Family Friends is an intergenerational program that recruits, trains and
places older volunteers to work one-on-one with children of families who
have special needs.
• The Foster Grandparent Program provides opportunities for
income-eligible volunteers age 60 and over to work 20 hours a week in
programs that serve children in Knox County.
It’s a Family Affair
Adopt an elderly couple and help with minor home repairs, mowing, raking,
transportation, shopping and share a holiday. |
