Jul 02

Paul Bemko ready to make phone call as Friendly Visitor

Friendly Visitors Transition to Calls

“It’s being a friend and making a difference in someone’s life,” says Paul Bemko when asked about being a volunteer in Springwell’s Friendly Visitor Program. Due to the risks of COVID19, seniors have never been more isolated, and need to hear that there are people in the community who care about them. To help keep [...]

Jun 25

Senior man, woman with their caregiver at home.

Effective Communication Strategies Through the Stages of Dementia

Springwell has remained open and providing services during the COVID19 pandemic, and that includes our regular program of staff development and education. Josh Obeiter, Dementia Ambassador and volunteer trainer recently led an annual remote web-based training for Springwell staff on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association. The focus was how to communicate effectively with those living [...]

Jun 22

Care Managers Get Creative Amid COVID19 Risks

When COVID19 hit, everyone had to think differently about many aspects of daily living that previously were just part of normal routines. How do we get groceries? How can I fill my prescription? I need to talk with my physician, but how do I do a virtual visit? I’m alone and home bound so how [...]

Jun 11

Volunteer Home delivered meal driver

What a difference a volunteer makes!

In 2015 at age 52 Ann McWalter sustained a traumatic brain injury which ended her career as a physical therapist overnight. “I wanted to be a physical therapist since I was 14. My career gave me a sense of identity, purpose and meaning. I loved the challenge of figuring out how to help people with […]

May 15

Linda LaSalle of Newton: Volunteer Home Delivered Meal Driver

Prior to the COVID19 pandemic, Linda LaSalle loved her work as a music therapist for older adults at Milton Hospital and in her private practice. When the shelter at home order went into effect, Linda’s music therapy was halted. During a period of quiet reflection, Linda realized that she needed a role to help her [...]

May 11

David Simpson of Watertown: Volunteer Home Delivered Meal Driver

When COVID19 hit Massachusetts, David Simpson was between jobs and had just started to interview for a new job as an advertising production manager. Since the hiring process was slowed due to the pandemic, David looked for a valuable way to spend his time. He saw the request for volunteer home delivered meals drivers on [...]

May 08

Jodi Wolk of Brookline: Volunteer Home Delivered Meal Driver

Before the COVID 19 pandemic took hold in Massachusetts, Brookline resident, Jodi Wolk focused her energy on her interior design business and playing tennis. For now, she has put those pursuits aside to  volunteer for Springwell, delivering meals daily to homebound seniors. Jodi learned about Springwell’s urgent need for volunteer drivers through the Brookline Mutual [...]

May 05

Joe Coen of Newton: Volunteer Home Delivered Meal Driver

Joe Coen, a lifelong Newton resident, retired on March 4 after working in MIT’s Event Office for 21 years. An energetic man, Joe planned to travel, send his friends postcards and visit Boston sites in a way that he never had time for while working. A week later the world changed due to the COVID-19 [...]

Apr 30

Eugenie Coakley of Watertown: Volunteer Home Delivered Meal Driver

As a statistician and epidemiologist, Eugenie Coakley, a Watertown resident, became keenly aware of COVID-19 when her employer, John Snow Inc., began tracking the virus before it was diagnosed in the United States. When the virus got to Massachusetts, Eugenie wanted to help others. She learned about the need for home delivered meal drivers from [...]

Apr 28

Coping with Isolation

For some older adults, spending much of their time at home is an everyday reality due to physical challenges or other health issues. Now all of us are spending more time at home to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. We can learn a lot from senior citizens who do this regularly and are good [...]