Senior Kinship, started in 1982, currently serves 20 clients throughout Rusk County, ranging in age from 55 to 101. Some of them are able to get out and about with a little assistance and others are pretty much homebound. They have a large variety of interests and life experiences, which along with personality and location help us, find a good match between senior and volunteer mentor. Mentors go through a screeing process according to the Wisconsin Best Practices for Mentoring.
Having a Kinship friend can greatly enhance the elderly person's quality of life and well-being by giving them someone to visit with, laugh with, share concerns with . . . by giving them something to look forward to. Doing small things like reading to them, writing letters, playing cards, running errands or just going for a drive can mean so much! Mentors are monitored on a regular basis by Kinship staff.
Knowing that someone cares is a big boost! It can also translate into less depression, better physical health and our seniors being better able to stay in their own homes a little longer.
Help make a difference in an elderly person's life . . . someone will be glad you did!
