Special and Unique Programs at ECKAAA
Friendly Paws
Purpose and Objective To enhance the lives of the elderly who are homebound or living in a care facility. The objective is to conduct regular visits with pets to those 60 and over who desire a visit from a volunteer-pet team. Such contacts with animals are know to provide both physiological and psychological benefits creating a relaxing and therapeutic effect. How It Works Volunteers and their pets, mostly dogs and some cats (but other animals are welcome), visit an elderly homebound person, nursing home or other care center for one hour each week. The pets can be talked to a stroked and in return they provide unselfish kisses and, in some cases, entertaining tricks. Volunteers Pets are screened for temperament and behavior and have veterinarian examinations annually. Orientations and examinations are conducted, and meetings and newsletters assist in continuing training. Rewards for All This is a program that is beneficial both to recipients and volunteers. There is a medically proven calming effect in touching animals. Loneliness, withdrawal, and depression can be relieved, to varying degrees, by the comforting nearness of a friendly animal. Volunteers add a new dimension to their lives and discover that sharing a pet and an hour or two of their time can offer deeply satisfying rewards. If interested in volunteering call Sherrie at 800-633-5621 or 785 242-7123, ext. 116.
Comfort Chat
Purpose and Objective Comfort Chat volunteers make home visits or phone calls to homebound individuals who have little outside contact with others and would like a visitor to talk with or to engage in activities such as play cards. Some elderly with low vision find it difficult to read their mail or the newspaper and comfort chat volunteers can help. How it works Individuals who feel Comfort Chat would be a benefit to them contact our agency to request this service. They are linked with a volunteer from their community who agrees to contact the homebound individual on a regular basis. If interested in volunteering call Sherrie at 800-633-5621 or 785 242-7123, ext. 116.
On The Menu
Purpose and Objective Families and individuals host an elderly couple or individual on a regular basis. This gives an older adult the opportunity to share a meal and conversation with another person rather than eating alone. How it works Individuals who are able to get out of the house with little assistance contact our agency to request participation in the program. That person is then paired with a family or individual within that community who has expressed an interest in sharing a meal with an older adult. If interested in volunteering call Sherrie at 800-633-5621 or 785 242-7123, ext. 116.
Memories to Memoirs
Purpose and objective The purpose is to compile personal stories of the individual's life, and document that individual's life experiences. Families are thrilled to get a book with their loved one's life told in their own words. How it works An individual attends organized and arranged classes to begin the process of writing the life experiences. Once the information is gathered and compiled, it is bound into a book for the participant to share with his or her family. If interested in volunteering call Sherrie at 800-633-5621 or 785 242-7123, ext. 116.