A SIMPLE PHONE CALL CAN CHANGE A LIFE:

GETTING TO KNOW A CARING PLACE

By Brian Lord, Publisher

The year 2020 has not been what we expected. And for seniors, it has been even more difficult, when you consider the issues of aging, aging alone and aging with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Scary days lie ahead of us. This is why groups like A Caring Place are so important to the Central Kentucky community.

Roxanne Cheney, chair of A Caring Place, said, “Caring for people as they age is so much more than just tending to their physical needs, but [also] their emotional, psychological and spiritual needs to connect with other people.” This is why the Bible says God created Eve for Adam; it was not good for man to be alone. This is why A Caring Place exists. This group of men and women who call and connect with seniors is a vital caregiving ministry.

"Caring for people as they age is so much more than just tending to their physical needs..."

Feeling sad, lonely and useless is more than just an emotional quagmire for millions of aging Americans. Many researchers contend social isolation and loneliness may represent a greater public health hazard than most people are aware of. We are seeing major issues with children not being able to connect with their peer groups because of the lack of in-person school. It is just as important for older adults. One AARP loneliness study published in 2010 and now being updated reported approximately 42.6 million U.S. adults ages 45 years and older were suffering from loneliness. And now with the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, groups like A Caring Place are needed more and more. As older Americans find themselves stuck at home, not able to connect with their social communities, their churches and family, the issue of loneliness is a group problem that leads to depression and other mental and emotional problems.

A Caring Place’s purpose is to meet that strong human need to belong. Through phone calls and online video meetings, they provide person-to-person connections for those who are facing loneliness and the struggles and fears of aging. They help connect people with the resources and help they need as they age. But mostly, they focus on just being a good friend to seniors.

A Caring Place started as a non profit, beginning with a small group in a local church. It has expanded to include a diversity of faith-based people on its board. There are also many associate members who have dedicated significant personal time and resources to helping others in need. Additionally, A Caring Place has partnered with the Youth Movement Against Alzheimer’s, whose local chapter at the University of Kentucky helps with their phone call and connection teams. Together the Youth Movement Against Alzheimer’s and A Caring Place have created a Virtual Welcome Center. Through the magic of zoom they meet for small group interaction every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:00 a.m. for one hour. This hour is not only stimulating and fun, but also creates a wonderful time to bond together and form friendships.

The benefits of building interactions between young adults and the senior community are many. First, it is an easy way for many seniors to integrate technology into their lives in a comfortable, caring environment. (A smart phone, tablet or personal computer is required to participate.) Second, there is no transportation to worry about; you simply come as you are to enjoy conversation with others and build new relationships. Third, there is an opportunity to mingle with other people of all ages and to learn from the unique attributes each age group can provide, gaining wisdom and crafting healthy relationships. Finally, when these different age groups interact, it is a chance to share experiences, broaden knowledge or learn new information from each other.

A Caring Place has reached out to the majority of churches in the community to offer them the opportunity to play an active role in being good shepherds to the people in the Bluegrass area who scream out silently for someone to help, pay attention to, acknowledge and love them.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the home visits part of the program has been put on pause. However, with the simple power of a telephone, their Comfort Care Volunteers are working overtime to reach out to those who are socially isolated, which now seems to include all of us.

A Caring Place is always looking for people who want to volunteer and help. We urge you to consider volunteering with this important caregiving group. Also, we encourage you to refer someone (perhaps a loved one or a neighbor) who would benefit from a cheery phone call or video chat now and then, and bring a little sunshine into your life as well.

If you are interested in joining this exciting new group, please register by calling (859) 368-2656 or send an email to info@a-caring-place.com, and they will provide you with a link to their Zoom video conference.