MHA News
January 2012
What's New with MHA's Friendly Visitor Program?
Friendly Visitor provides very special friendships to lonely, isolated and home-bound elderly in Montgomery County. Many of the program's clients struggle with chronic medical conditions, such as stroke, breathing difficulties, arthritis and macular degeneration. These chronic conditions make it difficult for clients to leave their homes. Their poor health, isolation and multiple age-related losses predispose clients to mental health challenges like anxiety and depression. Despite having lived interesting, rich lives and having contributed greatly to society, there may be no one to hear their stories.
The program goals include:
- Reduction of loneliness and isolation through one-on-one friendships
- Monitoring of clients' health status and advocating for a safe and healthy environment
- Provision of help for clients to remain in the community by offering access to necessary resources.
How Do People Become Clients & How Many Clients Does the Friendly Visitor Program Serve?
Last fiscal year alone, Friendly Visitor served 136 clients. Referrals of clients come from a variety of sources:
Why Are These Friendships So Special?
Each volunteer is matched with a client in the community based on common interests and geographic location. Volunteers are trained to be nonjudgmental, empathic listeners who are really interested in what clients have to say. This creates a unique opportunity for clients to share their past accomplishments, joys, fears and past mistakes without being judged. Last fiscal year, Friendly Visitor volunteers gave over 4,000 hours of visitation. Each volunteer visits one client weekly and commits to one year of visitation, but most volunteers develop such strong friendships that they visit for many years.
What Kinds of Things do Volunteers & Clients Do Together?
Conversation is the most significant component of friendship, but volunteers do a variety of other things with their clients. They take walks or go to lunch together, if the client is able. They play games like scrabble and chess. They read the same book and then have a discussion about it. Volunteers sometimes help clients organize their papers, put together photo albums, pick up prescriptions, order groceries or take a client to the doctor.
How Does Friendly Visitor Assist Clients When There is a Problem or a Crisis?
Friendly Visitor program clients are often fiercely independent and they want to remain in their own homes or apartments. Over time, though, clients age in place and become more physically and sometimes more mentally vulnerable. Program volunteers monitor health and safety issues. Program staff will contact a client if there is a change in his/her medical or psychological condition. The program helps clients and their families obtain necessary resources. And, while the autonomy of program clients is of the utmost importance, when a client is either in self-neglect or mentally incompetent, program staff seeks assistance from Adult Protective Services so that the client is safe.
For more information about MHA's Friendly Visitor Program or
any of its services Click Here or call (301) 424-0656, ext. 511.
A Closer Look: A Friendly Visitor Client Story
Mabel is 99 years old and has lived in her own condo for many years. She is completely blind, very independent and outspoken. Mabel's volunteer, Susan, has visited for the last four years. Every Wednesday like clockwork, Susan appears at 12:30 p.m. with lunch for Mabel. Mabel is very appreciative and always pays for the lunch. Then they both enjoy conversation before Susan makes out a grocery list, which she then calls in to a local nonprofit that delivers the groceries on Friday. Before Susan leaves, she writes a check for the correct amount of money.
Over the years, Friendly Visitor has intervened in a variety of ways. The program staff has made sure a new refrigerator was ordered after Mabel's ice cream started melting. They contacted an extermination company after the apartment was overridden with mice.
Susan serves as a critical link that allows Mabel to stay independent. And, most importantly, both Mabel and Susan say their lives have been greatly enriched by one another - and that is the essence of Friendly Visitor.
You can help make a difference in the lives of older adults.
For more information about becoming a Friendly Visitor volunteer, click here.
MHA's Educational Event for Professionals:
2/2/12, this THURSDAY!
PRE-REGISTRATION CLOSES TOMORROW
(2/1/12) at NOON
Winter Continuing Education Event:
Working with Older Adults
Senior Adults & Sexuality:
What Every Mental Health Provider Should Know
(& may be afraid to ask)
Thursday, February 2, 2012
| Speaker: | Susan Milstein, Ed.D. in Human Sexuality Education |
| Times: | 8:00 – 8:30am Check-in and Continental Breakfast 8:30-3:30am Program (lunch on your own, light refreshments in the afternoon) |
| Location: | Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, MD |
| CEUs: | 6.0 CEUs for Counselors and Social Workers (click here for important Continuing Education info) |
| Fees: | $120 Member Fee, $150 Non-member Fee (no student fee available for this event) Walk-in Fee (if seats are available) $15 |
| More Information > Secure Online Registration > |
Important Notes:
- This event has a limited number of seats (50) and will require payment with preregistration.
- Walk-ins will be welcome (with an additional fee), if space allows.
- MHA is offering CEs for Social Workers and Counselors but is NOT pursuing approval for psychologist CEs for this event.
- Lunch will NOT be served as a part of this program. Registrants should bring lunch or plan to purchase lunch at the on-campus cafe or a local restaurant.
MHA Proudly Partners on "ReelAbilities"
ReelAbilities is a groundbreaking film festival that unites multiple partners, MHA included, and screening locations throughout the DC area in an effort to promote awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with different abilities, all through the easily accessible art form of film. The festival presents award-winning films, accompanied by discussions and other engaging programs which bring the community together to explore, discuss and celebrate the diversity of our shared human experience. Films will be screened at the JCC of Greater Washington, Washington DC JCC, JCC of Northern Virginia, Avalon Theatre, The Artisphere, and Rave Motion Pictures.
Click here for information about films, dates, times and locations.
Seeking Applicants for a College Scholarship
The Sherry S. Hintz Scholarship Fund was created by an anonymous Montgomery County resident in memory of several women in her family who lost their lives to breast cancer. The fund provides college scholarship awards to students who have lost a parent/guardian to breast or ovarian cancer. The Fund is administered through The Community Foundation for Montgomery County in partnership with Mental Health Association of Montgomery County (MHA).
There are many requirements which MUST be met to be eligible for this scholarship and they should be reviewed carefully prior to making application. For a description of the eligibility requirements and the award, click here. For the scholarship application, click here. All applications and attachments must be postmarked by March 5, 2012 for consideration.
Thank you for your partnership in helping people
right here in this community!
Thank you so very much for your interest in MHA, its programs and services. We hope that you have enjoyed this e-newsletter and that you will share it with others.
Please remember that MHA depends on contributions from supporters like you to continue offering its valuable programs and services to members of this community. Please make MHA one of the organizations you select for your charitable contributions.
Click on "Donate Now" to put those dollars to work right now or
mail your contribution to 1000 Twinbrook Parkway - Rockville, MD 20851.
THANK YOU!!!
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