WINNEMUCCA - Keeping older folks independent and in their own homes as long as possible is not only the best situation for them, but it's also the most fiscally responsible.
That was the message given to Humboldt County commissioners by Susan Haas, newly named executive director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) for Nevada's rural counties.
Haas had a receptive audience; the commissioners have recognized that RSVP volunteers' services in the community result in savings to local government. Humboldt County has been a supporter of RSVP locally with a yearly grant of $7,500 for several years.
Haas outlined the assistance that RSVP volunteers give to provide services to older residents. She said that volunteers give of their time and talents to assist frail home-bound elderly people with services so that they can stay independent in their own homes.
Those services include transportation, which Haas said was one of the biggest issues for seniors. They need help to visit the doctor, pick up prescriptions or shop for groceries or other things.
She said RSVP is always looking for volunteer drivers who are willing, not just to take seniors to their doctor appointments, but give them escorted transportation. She described that as going to the door, walking with the older person to the car, taking them to the doctor and waiting for them, helping them get a prescription filled, maybe picking up a few groceries and even maybe going to lunch with them at the senior center.
Spending some time with a senior can be such an important service, said Haas, adding, "Many are isolated and lonely and that little human contact may be the only contact that they have."
The other focus for RSVP in Humboldt County is assisting caregivers, people who are 24-7 caregivers for a loved one.
"We have volunteers who will come in and provide a break for full-time caregivers, to let them get out of the house if they choose to or just go to another room and read a book." Haas said.
"That respite care break can be lifesaving because caregivers may also have heath issues, and if they don't get a break they can die before the person they're caring for and leave them with no alternatives but institutionalization."
RSVP also works with the senior center to provide legal services.
Haas said, "Our lawyer, Laura Miles comes in, typically once a month, and meets with the seniors to help them with bills, estate planning, or problems arising from scams against the elderly." She added, "They're a targeted population."
Haas said the lawyer helps seniors with their questions and meets with them on a pro-bono basis.
Haas introduced local resident Brian Nelson, who is RSVP's field representative in Humboldt County. Nelson said that since the first of the year, when he started work as Humboldt County's RSVP representative, there has been an increase in the number of people receiving services from five clients to 20. Of those, 14 are receiving help with transportation, shopping, trips to the doctor, and the like, while six are receiving an occasional respite from their caregiving.
Nelson said the number of volunteers has also increased from four previously to 14 now. They include eight involved in providing transportation, and five providing the respite care help to caregivers.
He noted that they're trying to expand the service into other areas of the county besides Winnemucca. They have one client in Golconda, and may soon have another, one in Orovada and may also soon have one in McDermitt.
Nelson said, "We're spreading out to the whole county. We're building the program up and would like to see it continue. We have a good working relationship with headquarters in Carson City."
The Nevada Rural Counties Retired and Senior Volunteer Program's website says the organization's vision is to give service
- See RSVP, Page 23 -
opportunities to a new generation of concerned citizens who care for each other, and are eager to enhance the quality of life in their communities through meaningful volunteer service.
Haas said she would come back and report to the commissioners on the program's progress - next year, or sooner if they'd like. Commissioner Cassinelli said it would be good if she could come do that before they begin working on next year's budget.
RSVP is part of Senior Corps, a network of national and community service programs that each year supports the engagement of nearly 500,000 Americans age 55 and older in service to meet critical needs in their communities. RSVP volunteers control the amount of time they serve, as well as the ways in which they serve.
RSVP issues an "invitation to serve" to people who would love to make a difference through the meaningful use of their life experiences and professional expertise.
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