Mia’s Story

March 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When Mia Moore calls Verde Valley Caregivers for a ride to a doctor’s appointment, she always asks if volunteer Toni is available to drive. Mia’s macular degeneration no longer allows her to drive. Toni has taken Mia to her eye doctor and her primary care physician. Since taking an unfortunate fall several years ago, Mia also has to visit a specialist for her back, and again she requests that Toni drive her.

Mia was born in Japan 84 years ago. She still has difficulties communicating in English. Her doctors sometimes speak too quickly or use medical terms Mia doesn’t know. So Toni asked, “Do you mind if I go in with you to listen to the doctor? If you don’t understand the doctor’s instructions, maybe I can help you.” Toni says, “With Mia’s permission, of course, I jot down the highlights, like her weight, blood pressure, and pulse. Then I note how often Mia is to take a new prescription and what medications are no longer needed. Everything Mia has to know, I write on my pad.” Toni reviews this information with Mia afterwards to make sure she understands it all.

“That’s Toni,” Mia says, her face lighting up. “What a beautiful lady, inside and out! She’s almost like a nurse. I just can’t believe that she helps me so much, driving me and then helping me know just what my doctor wants me to do.” When she first heard about Verde Valley Caregivers, Mia hardly believed such a program operated in this community. Now she knows we’re here, offering all services free of charge.

“I don’t know how I’d get to my doctor appointments if it weren’t for Toni and Verde Valley Caregivers,” Mia says. “It would be horrible. I sure appreciate it. That’s why I send my donations.”

Filed Under: Neighbor Stories, Volunteer Stories

Marilyn’s Story

March 21, 2011 By

“One evening, I was sitting right here in this chair, and I got so dizzy the whole room was spinning around,” says Marilyn Sward, a long-time Verde Valley resident and VVCC “neighbor”. “I was in no condition to try to call for an ambulance. I couldn’t even find the phone right here on the table. So, I pressed my Guardian Angel button, and my wonderful friends were here almost immediately.” Marilyn told them she needed an ambulance. Once at the hospital, the right medication soon cleared up her dizziness.

What would Marilyn have done without her Guardian Angel pendant? She couldn’t make a phone call. She knew she was not able to get up and walk, even with the use of her walker. Yet, she could not stay in that chair all night. It’s so wonderful that she has the security and protection of her Guardian Angel pendant.

“Yes! It is,” Marilyn agrees.

And you, through your gifts to Verde Valley Caregivers, provide these heart-shaped pendants for Marilyn and 460 other seniors in our community free of charge. On their behalf, I’m writing to let you know how grateful we all are for the difference you’re making in their lives.

Like many older folks in our community, it’s nearly impossible for Marilyn to get up by herself after a fall. Unfortunately, she has fallen several times. But, she says, “I just pushed the button on my Guardian Angel pendant, and my friends came right over. They helped me up. This button has just been a godsend as far as I’m concerned!”

When someone contacts Verde Valley Caregivers about getting a new Guardian Angel personal security pendant, an experienced volunteer visits them in their home to evaluate their need. Once the Guardian Angel pendant and the base unit have been set up for this new neighbor, in an emergency situation your neighbor needs only to press the button, and the Guardian Angel system telephones up to four friends. These friends respond to help, just as Marilyn’s friends do.

A volunteer services each Guardian Angel unit twice a year, putting in fresh batteries and making sure it’s working just like new. In addition, if a neighbor discovers the pendant is not operating properly, or if a name or phone number of one of the friends needs to be changed, a simple telephone call to the Verde Valley Caregivers office schedules a special service call.

“I think my Guardian Angel pendant is tremendous. I’m just so thankful I have it. Since I live alone, I have to depend on others. There’s satisfaction and reassurance in knowing I can get help. I don’t think the Guardian Angel program is great – I know it’s great! And, since there’s no charge for it, I try to give a little extra, to thank Verde Valley Caregivers for what they’ve done for me, and to help make it possible for others to have a Guardian Angel.”

Filed Under: Neighbor Stories