Senior Services of Alexandria's Friendly Visitor Program matches socially isolated seniors in the City of Alexandria with volunteers for weekly visits. There are currently 72 matches participating in the program. Research shows that social interaction improves not only mental attitude but can benefit overall health.
Here is my story about how a weekly visit with an area senior has turned into a lasting friendship.
For more than a year, I've been visiting my new friend Sylvia every week. I always look forward to our visits. I have learned so much from her. At 93, a retired health economist, she is a mother of three, and grandmother of 7. She is a widow of a diplomat who has lived in Paris and London. Such an interesting woman! She uses a wheelchair to get around, but that doesn't prevent us from sitting out by the goldfish pond every week, weather permitting, and having great political discussions, or reading from the detailed world economics reports she studies for her current events club. She has enlightened me in many ways.
When I arrive every week, I sometimes try to have something interesting to talk about: a current news story, or some pictures to share, or an article to read to her. But, as often as not, she beats me to the punch, and as I walk into her room, she tells me how she wants to spend our hour together. Often, she dictates notes to me to write to her children, grandchildren, former neighbors and friends. Birthday greetings, anniversary greetings, Rosh Hashanah greetings, Hanukkah cards. We even sent a nice letter to documentary producer Ken Burns congratulating him on his superb series "The Roosevelts." Sylvia wanted him to know that she had worked at the Democratic Women's Club with Eleanor Roosevelt's daughter.
The hour goes by very quickly. Sylvia is an avid reader, and receives several books on tape from the Alexandria Public Library every week. But while I am there, if we have time, she asks me to read to her from a collection of Arthur Conan Doyle's short stories on Sherlock Holmes.
This week, we used the Internet to find the lyrics to the Andrews Sisters' first hit song from the late 1930's, "Bei Mir Bist Du Shoen." We found the recording on You Tube, and both of us sang along! Sylvia and her friends are preparing to sing the song with the music group at Washington House for a program on Veterans Day.
I have enjoyed getting to know Sylvia's family. They kindly invited me to attend a wonderful birthday party lunch at Washington House when Sylvia turned 93 this year. Finally, I was able to put faces with the names of her children and grandchildren who I've talked to on the phone, or sent cards and notes to!
I try to stay busy in my retired life, but when I am putting together my weekly calendar of activities, absolutely nothing interferes with my appointment with Sylvia. I have so much to learn from her.
I would recommend the Friendly Visitor Program to anyone who is looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity or to any senior reading this article who is lonely and could use a visitor once a week to brighten your day. It's easy, just contact Sarah Drexler, Friendly Visitor's program manager at friendlyvisitor@seniorservicesalex.org or call 703-836-4414, ext. 20. You will be glad you did.