Among those over the age of 60, 43% report feeling lonely, and 24% are considered socially isolated; at the same time, more than 90% of older adults want to remain in their current homes as they age. Springwell works closely with thousands of older adults each year to help address both of these challenges that can come with aging.

Janet has lived in her Natick home for 65 years, after coming from West Virginia for work. She and her husband, Milt, raised their children here and hosted family gatherings, living a full life. As her children grew up, they married and had children of their own; Milt died in 2013; and the large family gatherings that everyone loves have moved to her children’s homes. Janet remains strongly connected to her family, but she also spends many hours alone in a home that she loves and doesn’t want to leave, despite being a social person.

In recent years, Janet had a dwindling appetite and some health and mobility challenges that raised concerns about her ability to continue living on her own. Meals on Wheels was the answer she and her family were looking for on many different fronts. By receiving a nutritious meal delivered by a friendly volunteer, Janet was able to get extra nutritious food to address her low appetite and a daily wellness check that made everyone more comfortable with her living at home alone. Janet says that she likes the food – especially when there is spinach on the menu – which helps with her appetite.

And, a few years ago, a wellness check helped to save Janet’s life. One Sunday evening, during a regular call with one of her children, Janet mentioned not feeling quite right. By morning, she was quite ill and was unable to answer the door to receive her meal, causing the driver to implement the program’s “no answer” protocol. Springwell staff called one of Janet’s daughters, who immediately went to Janet’s home. By that time, Janet was nearing sepsis, and she was taken to the hospital where she made a full recovery. Janet’s children now check-in with their mother every morning themselves, but they also continue to be grateful to Meals on Wheels for being an added steady, daily presence in Janet’s life.

Another unexpected bonus of the Meals on Wheels Program for Janet has been developing friendships with the drivers, just one of the ways this service has helped her spend her days at home when her family isn’t with her. Janet has had a number of volunteer delivery drivers, currently a different one each day of the week. “I know them all by name,” notes Janet, and she enjoys chatting with all of them – one is an identical twin just like two of her great grandchildren – but she really loves it when she makes a deeper connection. That happened with her Friday driver, Paige, a fellow transplant from the south. The home-delivered meal that brought them together sparked conversations about shared Southern food traditions and their shared love of community service (Janet and Milt volunteered for the Natick Service Council for years). Before long, Janet and Paige were chatting at length during each delivery.

Paige understands how much older people love visits, and she became a home-delivered meal driver for Springwell as a way to provide service to her community and to connect with people who might be lonely. She finds that the effort has enriched her life as well. Paige delivers about twelve meals every Friday, including Janet’s, and enjoys the weekly check-in and chat. While her relationship with Janet is special, Paige looks forward to seeing each of the people on her route and is always excited to see a new address pop up because it is an opportunity to make yet another new friend and deepen her connection and commitment to her community. She knows how important her role is on many levels.

Learn more about Springwell’s Home-Delivered Meals Program or about becoming a Springwell volunteer Meals on Wheels driver. Springwell is a member of Meals on Wheels America.