Group needs more volunteers
Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/bvwv/News/6348/
FAYETTEVILLE — Faith in Action, a project of Washington Regional, is in need of volunteers to help homebound seniors in Benton and Washington counties.
With the growing elderly population and lack of family support, many people are being admitted to nursing homes prematurely because they can’t meet basic needs and have no where to turn for assistance, according to a press release from Faith in Action.
For example, a 77-year-old man living alone in a rural area of northwest Arkansas was unable to perform basic necessities, such as driving a car, cooking or cleaning his home, the release states. He had no family and no one to turn to for help, except Faith in Action. Because he had so many needs, four volunteers were matched with the man, allowing him to remain in his home.
Faith in Action relies solely on volunteers to provide services. Volunteer time is flexible, and depending on what the volunteers choose to do, they can work as little or as much as they want as it fits into their daily schedule.
Faith in Action volunteers provide such services as transportation, shopping, respite care, friendly visits, delivering and reading mail, telephone reassurance, chore assistance, yard work and minor home repairs.
Prospective volunteers must attend a three- to fourhour training session that prepares them for their experience. They also receive a comprehensive manual for reference.
Anyone interested in helping homebound seniors may call Liz Vanzant at Faith in Action, 463-7862. Information is also on the Web at www. faithinactionnwa. org.