[jam223]

I am sure that many of us have elderly friends and neighbors who are alone. The truth is that it happens way too often and it's so sad.

When I was in middle school, I can remember my grandparents retiring to Florida with visions of afternoons spent playing golf and tennis, long hours spent relaxing on the patio with a good book, and visits from the kids and grandkids during school breaks and holidays when everyone would pile into the car and head off to Disney. And it worked......for awhile. But as they started to age and normal health problems crept in, it soon became apparent that not having family members in the area to lend a hand, and/or be there in an emergency, would cause a challenge. This was especially true after my grandfather passed away at the age of 77 and my grandmother, who is still living at 96, steadfastly refused to leave the area in which he was buried.....even if it meant the option of moving in with another member of the family in another state to make her life easier. It's tough. Very, very tough. Luckily one of her neighbors happens to be a nurse and has been a sweetheart at volunteering to look in on her and help out with things like shopping, errands, etc.

My name is Sheri and I am the Grants and Communications Coordinator for the Central Florida Health Alliance (the "parent company" of the Leesburg Regional Medical Hospital and The Villages Hospital) and, while I am not a nurse, I'd still love to give back to my own community of elders as someone is doing for me with my grandmother. I am also very fortunate as some of the others in my office enjoy doing the same thing so it's sort-of a "family affair" for us as well. And, before anyone asks, no one is ever charged for these services...I'm simply here to help with things like grocery runs, occasional errands, the picking up of medications/check-ins with assorted doctors, etc. And, perhaps the most important of all, my cell phone is always right by my side in case of a medical, or some other type, or emergency

If you are an individual or couple who has retired into the area (or know some who has), are getting "up there" in age, and might need an occasional hand, please let me know. I do work full time, and might not be able to take everyone on, but will certainly do my best!

Thanks!