Ms. Minnie Gets Help To Stay Independent
At age 79, Ms. Minnie lives independently in her St. Tammany Parish home.
Ms. Minnie is just under five feet tall, and she has a soft face and
voice, which sometimes masks her proud, feisty nature. Ms. Minnie says
she has “six sons, one daughter and too many grandchildren to
remember.” She cares for five grandchildren after school.
Like many seniors, her only support is Social Security, and when Ms.
Minnie had trouble paying her utility bills, it was extremely hard for
her to ask for help. But she did go to her local parish office, where
the staff referred her to Volunteers of America. Caseworker Payne Diez
listened to Ms. Minnie’s story and got to work.
Volunteers of America has served thousands of seniors like Ms. Minnie.
Keeping the elderly safe, healthy and independent for as long as
possible is as central to our mission as it is essential to their
families and communities. Through several different programs,
Volunteers of America helps seniors in many ways.
Within two weeks, Diez and our Repairs on Wheels team had weatherized
Ms. Minnie’s home. Volunteers cleaned her kitchen walls, removing grease
that could spark a fire. They installed a range hood, smoke and carbon
monoxide detectors and attic insulation. They sealed windows, changed
pipes and vents and made other energy-efficiency and safety adaptations.
Ms. Minnie was thrilled and thankful.
“With the money I’ll save on my utilities, I can finally start to pay for my medicines,” she says.
Diez also helped Ms. Minnie get a SeniorRx card to help with her
prescriptions. Her grandchildren received health insurance through the
state LAChip program and donated Scholastic books from our Our Retired
Senior Volunteers Program. Other volunteers from Faith In Action,
another Volunteers of America North Shore program, helped her get
groceries and handle yard and home maintenance--all to help her stay
independent in her home.
Through another program, Ms. Minnie received a donated cell phone so she could call 911 in case of emergency.
Ms. Minnie has expressed concerned that she was receiving resources that
could go to others in greater need. That attitude is not a surprise to
those who know this proud, independent lady. Volunteers of America is
honored to help her and other seniors live safe, healthful, independent
lives.