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Spring has sprung! In Washington even a one day reprieve from the pouring rain and a few peaks of the sun's rays are enough to awaken sprouts of hope. As we unfold from our homes and confront the damage from the wind, sleet and snow and face the sad condition of the yard and garden, getting it all back in shape is at the top of our lists.
This time of year also brings many requests from seniors and people with disabilities for help outside. We often have people whose situation has gotten pretty bad over time and has accumulated more than one winter season. I think one of the last requests I got for outside help was from a senior who described the state of her lawn as “ Gone Jumani”.
Aging and sickness can contribute heavily to the inability to keep things looking the way that we wished they looked. Many times it goes beyond cosmetics and becomes a health and/ or safety need. I have had the opportunity to visit many seniors in their homes and sometimes the way that they are living is so sub par that it brings tears to my eyes.
The thing I learned many years ago was not to make judgments about a home that had counter tops overflowing with dirty dishes, smells of urine and decay, garbage piles that had taken up large sections of floor space, rodent droppings and furry sightings.
I can see how this can happen. Its like when you get the flu and you are just so sick you can’t do anything but limp from the bathroom to the bedroom. Days go by, the clutter builds up and you have no energy to clean anything. For most of us, that sickness eventually passes and we get up and clean up the messes that have accumulated, disinfect surfaces, wash the sheets and air out the house.
But what if you never felt better? What if you never recovered? That is what some people are facing in their homes. Long battles with cancer, dialysis, chemo treatments, losing mobility and constant fatigue. So yes, maybe the lawn has taken over but who knows if the lawn mower even starts after all this time?
We had a call from a man I will call Carl. When Carl called, he said that he needed a ride to the doctor. When the ride was arranged he gave pretty clear instructions that his place was overgrown and that he would meet the driver outside. When the driver arrived he saw Carl navigating his way through a hole in the sticker bushes and weeds that had taken over his porch and steps. The stairs were falling in and rotten and it posed a severe safety concern for Carl.
It took a team of people many days to cut through the jungle that had grown up to the door of Carl's home. When a path was finally cleared and the steps repaired, the team moved on to the interior. It took time and many volunteers but eventually Carl had his home back and was able to live in a place that felt like home again.
I am sure that Carl never thought it would get that bad. But weed by weed and day by day his home was overgrown and as it was, it brought sadness, shame and more isolation to Carl. Think about people in your circle that are suffering and may need a helping hand. Is there a Carl on your street?
With spring comes buds of hope. Consider bringing hope to another this spring season. We are always accepting new volunteers. Spring brings a fresh new need for people that can mow a lawn, use a weed eater and do pruning.
If you would like to be a super hero gardener then reach out and let us connect you with a Carl in need.
Beth Gizzi
Executive Director, The HUB
web site: HUBhappenings.org
email: thehubcenterforseniors@gmail.com
phone: (360) 275-0535, ext 2601
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