Elderly Services Delivers a Christmas Surprise

After CAP’s Elderly Services program chose to cancel its Christmas event as a precaution against a rise in flu and other respiratory illnesses, caseworkers made a special effort to visit participants at their homes dressed as Santa, Mrs. Claus, and elves. When Ada, a participant, opened her front door, she was surprised and overjoyed to see the caseworkers on her doorstep.

Like many other seniors in Appalachia, Ada lives alone and seldom has visits from anyone else other than CAP’s caseworkers. She depends on them to provide transportation for grocery shopping and doctor appointments, as well as helping her run other errands, like paying bills.

Ada looks forward to CAP’s special events, which allow her to visit with other seniors, so she was disappointed to learn the in-person Christmas event had been canceled. When CAP showed up at her door, she gave the caseworkers a big, warm hug. “The employees in our program feel so much love from each and every one of our participants, not just during the holidays but every day,” said Kasey Mills, an Elderly Services caseworker. “They love and appreciate us just as much as we do them.”