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Holiday program helps local seniors struggling with poverty and loneliness [UPDATED]
Published 9:22am Thursday, December 13, 2012 Updated 11:27am Thursday, December 13, 2012Be a Santa to a Senior, the popular campaign that delivers gifts to local needy seniors, is being planned again this holiday season as older adults continue to face poverty and loneliness.
The area office of the Home Instead Senior Care network, the world’s largest provider of non-medical in-home care and companionship services for older adults, is joining The Razor’s Edge Salon to provide gifts and companionship to seniors who otherwise might not receive either.
“Seniors faced with medical bills and the high cost of living can find they have little left at the end of the year,” said Arlette Preston, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office serving the Fergus Falls area and surrounding counties. “That’s not the only issue, though. Personal needs may become magnified for so many living alone with no one to share their problems.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 9 percent of U.S. seniors 65 and older are living in poverty and 27 percent are widowed.
Here’s how to help these struggling seniors: Pick up ornaments with seniors gift requests from the Christmas tree, which is up at The Razor’s Edge Salon, 1742 College Way, now through Dec. 17. Buy items on the list and return them unwrapped to the store, along with the ornaments attached. The gifts will be wrapped and delivered to the seniors by Dec. 20.
For more information about the program, visit www.beasantatoasenior.com or call 866-521-8093.
