By Teri Williams
Having the opportunity to be the listing agent and property manager for Lahari home in Deer Harbor was a huge honor for me, chalked up yet another successful sale, and created a relationship that moved me ahead on another adventure.
The Lahari Board wanted to expand its outreach into the community by creating programs that fit the life style of our community members who have had many birthdays behind them and few in front of them, our seniors. They asked me to join the board and I soon found a passion for our Safe Home Program.
The Safe Home Program supports seniors who wish to remain in their homes by evaluating the health and safety aspects of the home, and following up with recommendations for improvements. Lahari is well-funded and committed to financial support as part of the program. We have a handful of contractors and tradesmen who volunteer their skills for some of these improvements.
In the past, Lahari’s focus was mainly hospice care, however, many of our community seniors (and even not-so-senior) wish to remain in their homes instead of moving to a care facility. Something in the blood when you live on an island! I believe we have a pioneer spirit and cast iron constitutions supporting our independent attitudes.
The Safe Home Program is set up to check for hazardous situations, but I am finding it offers much more by giving and receiving emotional support as well. Many of the seniors are lonesome, scared, and unsure of what comes next. Just knowing someone cares and will listen seems to be one of the many benefits of the program, for both the property owner as well as for the evaluator. I am finding it hard not to adopt each and every senior I meet!
I don’t know about you, but I had plans of kicking and screaming on the trail to elder care outside of my home. Now I know there is light near the end of this ride called life, and a caring heart and patient ear to listen to my tales.
If you know of someone who can benefit from this program, give me a call or contact Lahari directly by going to the website www.laharionorcas.org.
Cheers to the years ahead!
There is something about living on an island that brings us together in a way that is not so obvious on the mainland. Perhaps it is our heritage from an earlier time when we had to depend upon each other because help from the mainland might be days away. For me, this is a heritage worth protecting. For me personally, I believe that I have a responsibility to help my neighbors, especially those who become increasingly dependent upon others. I am compelled to do my part, to pay it forward, if there is to be any possibility of help for me when I reach that point in my life. Perhaps that help will be there for me, perhaps not, but unless each of us do our part, we will lose this important aspect of our heritage.
Teri,
As a veteran of many years in the medical world, and haven’t cared for aging family members, (before entering that category myself). I am so aware of the daunting challenges we face as we age. Particularly in the absence of family members capable of helping, the community must step in and help…the Orcas way. Our caring community is one of the big reasons we decided to nest here. I would love to help in any way I can..Let’s talk.
Good on you, mate!
Carol