April 14, 2008 — A little-known service on St. Croix contributes to the lives of the elderly, isolated and homebound as volunteers help out with the simple daily tasks of living. The Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers Project aids those who aren't served by other agencies.
"All the caregiver is expected to give of their time and skills is whatever they say they can give," said Elisa McKay, caregivers coordinator.
Volunteers may do things as simple as reading aloud or just being a friend to an elderly individual. Some may make phone calls, write letters, assist with filling out forms, shop or give a break to full time caregivers. There is a whole list of things individuals may need assistance with that can help them live more independent lives.
The project began in 1996 to help religious congregations with the elderly. McKay was the first project director. The project is under the umbrella of the Interfaith Coalition of St. Croix which began helping residents after Hurricane Hugo in 1989.
The care receivers, or "elder friends" as McKay calls them, are referred to the project in various ways. McKay says a neighbor of a homebound person may call and tell her about someone needing help of some sort. Referrals also come from the Department of Human Services, the discharge department at Juan F. Luis Hospital and churches.
McKay says the caregivers are the link between formal and informal care-giving.
"Ideally the volunteers are recruited through churches," McKay said. She says this voluntarism provides people of all faiths the opportunity to serve God by serving others. Others may help just because they want to, said McKay. The program averages around 20 active volunteers.
Volunteers go through a four-hour training session that McKay usually conducts three times a year. Janzie Allmacher, a registered nurse and University of the Virgin Islands instructor, gives the classroom training at Luis Hospital. The volunteers regularly get together for dinners and discussions to keep up on things.
"I'm hoping to get more young people involved," McKay says. She has plans to go to private and public schools to let students know they can volunteer with elderly and get senior service credits.
"It is a mutual thing — like students playing their recorders for elder friends, and they in turn tell stories of their youth," McKay said.
Interfaith Volunteer Caregiver Programs have also been established on the U.S. mainland and Guam. The program is promoted and supported by the National Federation of Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, Inc. Funding is provided annually by the St. Croix United Way.
To volunteer or ask for care call 340-719-4972.
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