Please click here for our monthly listing of how elders are participating. Please call (800) 322-0551 or 413-586-2000 for more information, or send an e-mail with your request to qll@highlandvalley.org.

An Ombudsman Volunteer - It's hard to know who I can talk to. I really need someone who can stop by to speak to me privately on some concerns I have. I need someone who doesn't work for the nursing home to give me the information I need to stay in control here."

Living With Family Care - "I'm at a point where I can't live by myself. I'm living with a new family with my own room and daily help with my meals, medications, dressing, bathing and getting around town."

Personal Emergency Assistance - "I want to remain in my home for as long as my health is good, but what if I need emergency care or help quickly? I'm looking to see what types of devices are out there to call for help in case anything unexpected did happen."

Money Management Assistance - "I've had a hard time writing out checks, keeping track of my check book and just getting bills paid on time. If I could find someone who could assist me with these money issues, it would save me a lot of headaches."

Home Delivered Meals - "Cooking? Well, I used to spend a lot of time cooking, preparing meals for my family, friends, but...it's difficult now. I'd love it if someone could prepare a good healthy meal for me and bring it to my home." (Menus in English. Spanish and Russian are available upon request.)

Getting A Job - "I retired from my job two years ago. After working all those years, I find it difficult to just hang around the house. I'd rather be out working, but I'm worried no one wants to hire someone my age. I'm interested in being trained for something new. At this point, it would be nice to have some help finding part-time or full-time work."

Elders At Risk - "My Aunt Sal lives a distance from me so that I can't get to help her with basic, everyday needs. I'm worried that she's neglecting herself. I'm looking for someone who can get her counseling, information or referrals to programs that can help her to be safe and secure in her own home."

Community Dining Centers - "My wife did the cooking, and now that I'm alone, I miss those hot nutritious meals she always provided. I really don't feel like eating alone either. I'd like to join others to sit down to dine together and enjoy each other's company." (Menus in English. Spanish and Russian are available upon request.)

Protection From Abuse - "My neighbor up the street, Jonathan, seems afraid to talk about his living situation. He always seems withdrawn, frightened even, when you try to talk to him. I think there's a lot more to his situation than meets the eye. I'm going to call so he'll get some information on what's available, counseling or legal assistance to quietly pass on to him in case he's being abused or neglected."

Taking A Break - "At first, I felt guilty about wanting to take a break from taking care of my Mom. Who else would do the things I do if I took a few hours off? But, we all need to step away from routine. Fortunately, I did find the right people to help and my Mom is getting the care she needs while I'm taking a break."

Neighbor to Neighbor - "I grew up in a neighborhood where everyone knew everyone--friendships came in all shapes and sizes, young and old. Didn't matter. Everyone helped everyone out. Everyone cared how the other one was doing. It doesn't seem that way, anymore. I wish it were like that again."

Your Choice Of Living Arrangements - "I've watched family members of mine enter nursing homes without much consideration for community alternatives. I'm interested in learning about alternatives before I have to make a decision whether or not it is for me."

Community Caring - "My friends and I have a lot of good ideas on how to make our community a better place to live. But some of it costs money. If some funding and helpful assistance were available, we could put our ideas into building a more caring community."

Daily Living Assistance - "My Dad needs all-around personal care and I just don't have the time to do all he needs. My Dad could benefit from someone who could help him keep up his apartment, plan ahead for meals, possibly even prepare a meal or two, and help him get his shopping done. I am trying to find someone who could do these things."

The Power Of Information - "I've been wondering what is available for people over sixty years old. My family and friends are interested in other community resources as well. We all wish we could locate some type of listing that could tell us what options our community has to offer."

A Care Plan - "I really wish someone could sit down with me and help me figure out what kind of care assistance is available and what would be best for me, someone to help me manage the assistance I need. I can't do it alone."

A Day Program - "As a caregiver, I am interested in finding a daytime program for my Mom that is an alternative to institutional care. I am searching for an organized, supervised setting where she could benefit by being in a positive, social environment."