A little bit goes a long way, thanks to the Friendly Visitors

By Jean Corbi Ciappa
WARWICK — Ruth Askew just celebrated her 88th birthday and her mind is still sharp as a tack. Physically though, she is adapting to some compromises on her very independent life style. Her insight into managing adversity seems to be a characteristic that served her well in her own long career in human service.
Ruth has lived in a Town of Warwick senior housing apartment complex for six years. She used to drive herself to doctors appointments and to the grocery store. Medical concerns and a recent fall in her apartment changed that. A hospitalization and subsequent home care helped her through the recovery from the fall.
Ruth’s daughter is a teacher in Baltimore and is very much engaged in her mom’s life. She is the one who found out about the Town of Warwick’s Friendly Visitor Program that works collaboratively with Jewish Family Service and the Office for the Aging. Her mom’s physician had given her the contact information for the program.
Ruth now has a volunteer who does weekly shopping for her and others who help her get to local doctor appointments with the assistance of her new walker. She would like to attend a Baptist church on Sunday and is settling right now for televised services.
Kris Korn is a 30-year Warwick resident who worked professionally for many years with young children who have special needs. When she saw the Friendly Visitor Program flyer at the local library, she decided she’d like to volunteer. Kris attended one of the ongoing training sessions and was quickly assigned to work with Ruth. Weekly, Kris visits Ruth to pick up and review her grocery shopping list. She makes the purchases, uses a check Ruth has issued and returns with the receipt and groceries … and of course the occasional kitty litter and cat food. Kris is enjoying the change from working with young children to helping an adult.
Ruth and Kris have clearly developed a neighborly bond. They share laughs and stories, and flex the shopping schedule to accommodate both of their needs. Kris lives a short distance from Ruth and is a regular at the grocery store for her own needs. The help she gives to Ruth takes little of her time yet gives so much to Ruth. A little bit goes a long way.
Ruth is so impressed that the service is volunteer and costs her nothing. Her family was happy to know they could make a donation to Jewish Family Service to express their gratitude. This was never a requirement, but certainly an option that the family sought and valued.
Ruth has loving family in California and Maryland who have asked her to come live with them. She’s very content to stay in the home she’s made in Warwick and so appreciative for the help she gets through the Friendly Visitor Program.
Perhaps you know someone who would benefit from similar services, or perhaps you’d like to volunteer. Call the Warwick Town Hall at 986-1124, extension 400. The next volunteer training session will be May 7th at 10 a.m. at the Albert Wisner Library. Call to register.
Jean Corbi Ciappa is a Friendly Visitor Program Advisory Board member.