Building friendship with aged care residents has its own rewards
IF you would like to make friends with a resident from an aged care facility in Townsville, then this might be your cup of tea.
The co- ordinator of the Townsville Regional Community Visitors Scheme ( TRCVS), Tina Glenwright, said the program’s aim was to enrich the quality of life of residents in aged care homes who were isolated or lonely and would benefit from a friendly visitor.
The federally funded program started about 25 years ago and today has 30 volunteers from all cultural backgrounds.
“Knowing that the volunteers are changing someone’s life by giving them the time to talk and listen to them is heartwarming,” Ms wright said.
The volunteers and residents formed a special bond doing something they both enjoyed, such as walks, chatting over coffee in a cafe, shopping, reading the Townsville Bulletin or joining in activities at the home, she said.
“I encourage people who are looking to do some volunteering work in the community and feel that they are doing something wonderful and rewarding to contact the TRCVS program as something to consider as worthwhile,” Ms Glenwright said.
Retired business owner Margaret Clark, 65, said she had been volunteering at Parklands for about six years.
“Visiting
is
especially
Glen-
rewarding, particularly for the lady I visit because she doesn’t have any family here and apart from the home’s staff she doesn’t see many other people,” she said.
“I go and visit Ellen weekly and I spend about an hour with her.
“It is very rewarding to help Ellen and she has become a friend and she’s joined us in the Cowboys tipping competition for the last three years as a bit of fun.”
Rhonda Kuchler, 64, an eight- year volunteer at Villa Vincent, spends several hours a week with a 94- yearold Liz.
“I would recommend that people should try it and talking to the older people is wonderful, particularly the tales they tell,” she said.
For details contact Tina on 4774 0144 or visit www. nqcs. org. au