Page 3 - PGA Community News - October '22

October 2022 October 2022 PGA C.A.N.!, Page 3
From The Editor: Check Out…

Recently I spoke with a answers for matters related to aging and adult disabilities was a mentor or “Big Brother” to a 10-year-old boy whose
client who is over the age of including service providers. There are volunteer programs father was not in his life. It was one of the most rewarding
90 years. Her mind is alert offered including the “Foster Grandparent Program” in experiences of my lifetime and mutually beneficial. It is
and she exhibits mental which seniors work one-on-one with children on reading important for children in their formative years to develop
acuity. I found no issues readiness and social skills in a Head Start or elementary role model relationships with male and female adults.
with her memory and she school and “RSVP –Lead with Experience” in which active Most important for all of us is the sense that a child’s life
had a clear understanding seniors use their skills, talents, wisdom and experience to is being improved by our presence and there is a purpose
of her family and loved work in the community. Our area agency has the greatest for our lives. I hope that we can replace desperation,
ones. Her frustration is with number of seniors residing within its borders over the age despondency, depression, and discouragement among
her limited ability to walk of 80. Senior wellness programs are available as well as seniors with optimism, self-confidence, hopefulness,
unassisted. She relies on a free counseling and assistance with Medicare and health enrichment so that they will augment the lives of others
cane for balance and leans insurance issues at SHINE (Serving Health Insurance and not want to Check Out.
forward when she walks. I accompanied her to her car to Needs of Elders). Contact in person, via telephone or Until next month,
assist her with carrying some documents. As she sat in over the internet. Assistance is offered to senior victims James A. Cioffi, Esq.
the front seat, she said to me, “I can’t take this anymore. of crime. The agency coordinates “The Meals on Wheels” james@jcclaw.com
I want to check out.” I responded, “It is not time for you Program. There are many other services available. We are
to leave this life. God will call you when he wants you truly blessed to have this agency and its dynamic staff in P.S. Please let me know stories of seniors in our
to be with Him.” our midst. Its website is https://www.aaapbtc.org. community who are making a difference in the lives of
Another client was speaking with me a few weeks I encourage any of you, who would like to contribute others.
ago. He is 83 years old. He has one kidney that functions to the education of a child, to volunteer for the Foster
properly, is concerned with balance issues and has basal Grandparent Program. The Foster Grandparent Program
cell carcinoma. He has financial acumen and a clear mind. is part of Senior Corps, a network of national service
He does not sleep well which results in fatigue. He has programs that provide older Americans the opportunity to Wanted
no friends and has always been a loner. He told me that volunteer for a child and put their life experiences to work
he would take his life (i.e. check out) if he could be sure in our local communities. When you share your love, time,
he would be successful. and experience, you have the power to help a child who
Both clients along with other seniors lament about needs you. As a Foster Grandparent, you’re a role model, People are vandalizing
the fact that they have no purpose in their lives. There a mentor, and a friend. Serving at one of the thousands golf courses after play
is a sense of despair. I have recommended contact with of local organizations—including faith-based groups,
others is important since social isolation affects a person’s Head Start Centers, schools, and other youth facilities— hours. Sand traps,
outlook. I have always found that when the focus is on you help children learn to read, provide one-on-one greens and fairways are
helping others, there is a benefit to the person offering tutoring, and guide children at a critical time in their being damaged. If you
the assistance. lives. Put simply, you give the kind of comfort and love
I am a Board member for the Area Agency on Aging, that sets a child on the path toward a successful future. see anyone on courses
Your Aging and Disability Resource Center, located south The Foster Grandparent Program is an intergenerational after hours, please call
of 45 Street on Congress Avenue in West Palm Beach. It volunteer program that provides valuable aid to children
th
is a private, nonprofit agency that receives funding from with special and exceptional needs. The Program has POA Security at
the government and charitable donations whose mission is a dual purpose – to enhance the lives of children with 627-1600 or Resort
to advocate, plan and promote the independence, dignity, special needs through a caring relationship and to provide
health and wellbeing of seniors and their caregivers. The a high-quality experience that enriches the lives of the Security, 627-2000.
Agency serves Palm Beach, Martin, St.Lucie, Okechobee volunteers and the children they serve. Thank you.
and Indian River Counties. An elder telephone helpline While I was a student at Cornell University, I
(1-866-684-5885) has been established to provide participated in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program. I