The inspiration for our service is dedicated to Willard, Our Papa and Friend.

Most ideas come from trying to solve a problem. When grandma passed away, we had a major problem. Papa was left living alone in his home. He was visually impaired from a stroke several years prior. He knew his house well and could get around just fine but he couldn’t cook, drive, and see what was on TV or identify people other than through voice. Many of his family members stepped in to help him stay in his home with support to daily living activities, safety and comfort. We did our best to surround him with love and companionship. We enlisted help from others to call him each week. The regular phone calls from his family and friends kept his spirits up and gave him something to look forward to. He enjoyed talking about the football game he listened to the night before. He enjoyed hearing about what others had going on in their lives. He loved to laugh from a good joke or a fun riddle. He loved to share stories about his beloved wife. Even with a good circle of family around – papa still needed more daily connection with people and mental stimulation. I had wished for a service that would offer him a friendly person to talk to – someone he could get comfortable with and that would give him companionship that not everyone else could. A person who could play brain games with him and have some fun conversation that didn’t involve asking if he took his medications or for his weekly grocery list. We really needed that extra band of support. I know so many others that feel this way. They care for a loved one but only have so much time or energy. They live far away and worry that their loved one isn’t getting the social and emotional support needed. Your loved one is in a community and you wonder how they are really doing. You know people who don’t like to bother others so they suffer in silence.

For many, the past few years have brought about isolation, loneliness and a decline in social and emotional connectedness. According to recent news, the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy is saying America has a loneliness epidemic. We have a lot of people who need caring human connection but can’t find it or don’t know how to ask for it. There is a large gap of needs to fill and an epidemic of loneliness to combat. This service is a creative and positive solution – an additional resource – a caring connection – a way to help.