Fredericksburg Parent

8 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • Stories of Strength Special Issue WRITTEN BY DIANNA FLETT Mental Health American Fredericksburg When Fred Rogers was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1999, he shared some advice his mother gave him: "Always look for the helpers. There will always be helpers." He added, "If you look for the help- ers, you'll know that there's hope." The demands of the past months have tried us all. We are dealing with fears of illness, fears for our children, and unending adjustments to our schedules. We are dealing with the stress and limitations that come from reducing our social interactions. Sadly, the senior population has suffered more than most. They are often bearing the brunt of the pandemic in terms of isolation because of health concerns. One local support system, the Senior Visitors Program of Mental Health American Fredericksburg, Virginia (MHAF) responded to the challenges and demands leveled on their senior clients by the pandemic with determination to continue in their mission to provide companionship to the 115 enrolled members. They are the helpers Mrs. Rogers spoke of to her son—those providing hope. "Working with seniors at this time is especially challenging. Both the COVID virus and the isolation necessary to protect seniors from getting COVID can have devastating effects. The Senior Visitors Program had to make the difficult decision to suspend in-person, in-home visits. However, it is no surprise that our dedicated volunteers still find ways to stay con- nected and bring cheer to the seniors they visit," says Laurie Black, acting program coordinator of the Senior Visitors Program at MHAF. Steve, one local volunteer, got very serious about his behaviors so he could ensure he protected his friend, Chuck, 78 who lives in Fredericksburg. Steve runs errands for Chuck, who has a hard time getting around because of the pandemic and his mobility limitations. "Our going out together opportunities diminished, but I didn't think about stopping. We just learned to adjust our interactions," he says. Steve switched their connections from the normal weekly calls and outings to routine front porch visits and even more frequent phone calls. Like many of the program's volunteers, Steve continued their relationship while promot- ing the healthiest of outcomes for his friend of 14 years. AND HOW'S THE RESULTING EXPERIENCE, EVEN WITH THE ADJUSTMENTS? "I feel gifted by his efforts. He makes me feel safe and has reduced the loneliness of it all," says Chuck. "Steve helps me set boundaries to wake me up to the dangers of this crisis. We have a trust born from a strong bond of many years. The relationship allows me to give a voice to the stress of it all and gets me out of my own head." As Black talks about the program's volunteers and their response to the challenges of 2020, you can hear her pride and joy in the way the program has shifted since late March. The resilience and grit of those involved to move forward with their mission to sup- port their vulnerable friends have created a lifeline for many in our community. "One volunteer began writing a weekly newsletter which included photos of projects around his home. He delivered the newsletter to his senior's porch," she says. "They'd call and talk about the work being done and their senior friend offered their inputs as to the projects and ways to work the effort." Another volunteer helped celebrate her senior's birthday by leaving flowers on her doorstep and sing- ing happy birthday to her from the sidewalk. Who doesn't enjoy being serenaded on their birthday? There are phone calls, Zoom calls, window visits, socially distanced visits on the porch, etc. At times, the technologies other generations take for granted are brand new to seniors. Things like virtual chat "There Will Always be Helpers" ?

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