Many of
this state’s senior citizens contribute highly valued services and skills to
the betterment of our communities.The
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of LincolnCounty
has been instrumental in fulfilling the sometimes desperate needs of many
people, as well as helping and encouraging other nonprofit agencies to
accomplish their own programs.
RSVP of LincolnCounty is sponsored by the Oregon
Pacific Chapter of the American Red Cross and employs a full-time director and
part-time secretary.Nationally, RSVP is
sponsored by Senior Corps and the Corporation for National and Community
Service (CNCS).
RSVP works
with older adults, using the skills they have developed over their lifetime, to
help their fellow citizens.Currently,
there are over 400 volunteers working in 60 different “stations” from Yachats
to LincolnCity,
including Siletz and Toledo.Their contribution is tremendous: they
distribute food to low-income families, assist patients and their families in
two area hospitals, work with hospice, advocate for children through Court
Appointed Special Advocates, read with children in the schools, cook and serve
meals at community centers, and deliver meals to homebound seniors.After placing a volunteer, RSVP continues to
support their efforts with mileage reimbursement and supplemental insurance.
Additionally,
RSVP manages five health-related programs for seniors and low-income people:
The Grab Bar Program supplies free durable equipment; the Medicare Team
presents information to senior so they can make informed choices about
Medicare; the Prescription Assistance Team helps find free or reduced
prescriptions for the low-income; The Friendly Visitor Program provides
companionship to socially isolated seniors; and the Trans-Med program
transports seniors to their medical appointments. All five programs help fill
the service gap created by 1) a sharp increase of seniors living in Lincoln
County, 2) the reduction in services/resources by government agencies, and 3) a
depressed coastal economy. Small non-profits like RSVP remain a life-line to
those in need. The Grab Bar Program plays a key role in helping seniors stay
safe in their homes. The Medicare Team helps seniors navigate a complex and
often frustrating system. The Prescription Assistance Team, open to everyone,
plays a critical role in preventative health and saves families and county
services countless dollars in the long-term. The Friendly Visitor Program helps
combat self neglect and gives the recipient a sense of belonging. Trans-Med
helps members of our community remain independent and to live in their own
homes. All of these programs make up RSVP’s Healthy, Senior, Independent Living
Project with an emphasis on prevention.
Finally,
RSVP collaborates with the Senior Companion Program (SCP) of Linn, Benton and LincolnCounties to produce a monthly
newsletter that reaches seniors, other non-profits and elected officials in LincolnCounty.The newsletter is paid, in part, by local advertisers and contains new
volunteer opportunities and helpful information for seniors such as legislative
updates and local resources they can use.
RSVP remains a lifeline to those in need and
continues to advance its goals of senior advocacy, services, and community involvement.
