“For large organizations, it may seem unusual that an executive director would attend the funerals of clients, but because of our small size and the highly individualized and personalized way that we serve our clients, I know all of them.” – Carol Olivieri

The Health Care Ministry of Princeton (HCM) is a non-profit organization that provides transportation, food, shopping, visits, and caregiver support to the elderly. It was was founded in 1984 by Princeton Council 636 of the Knights of Columbus, and Sister Ancilla of the Sisters of Mercy. They believed that providing simple, supportive services to the elderly would enable them to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. In 1989, the Health Care Ministry was incorporated as the Health Care Ministry of St. Paul’s, Inc., a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. In 2006 it adopted the name Health Care Ministry of Princeton (HCM), to reflect the area it serves, which includes Princeton and the bordering communities of West Windsor, Plainsboro, Kingston, Rocky Hill, and the Village of Lawrence. 

—Ellen Gilbert

The day may start with a message letting us know about the death of one of our clients. Dealing with people who are 85 or 95 years old means that death can never be far away, but sometimes it comes unexpectedly. Later in the day, I will call this client’s family. We will reminisce about their parent’s life, and talk about the funeral arrangements.

There are always routine tasks to be done: check the email, record the messages, check the ride calendar. Is this the week for payroll? There’s a great benefit to coming in early, before anyone will call and before other agencies are open. Later, so many activities will be punctuated by the ringing of the phone. There are calls that can be quickly dispatched as when a client may just want to make sure we have a volunteer coming to take them to their appointment. Other times there is the call that comes out of the gray fog of dementia. It is cruel to rush these callers off the phone. What am I here for if not to give them my attention, to offer my reassurance, or to lead them to a somewhat clearer place?

Our transportation program is one of our busiest. We provide free rides to all types of health- and medical-related appointments and we are the last resort for many people who cannot utilize other programs because of their health, who cannot afford even low-cost transportation, or who cannot access health care because of the limitations of senior transportation. It can be hard to make others understand the needs and limitations of the frail elderly who make up our client group. A van service that makes a series of stops throughout the neighborhood just doesn’t work when it’s 90 degrees outside, or when chronic arthritis makes it unbearable to stand for 20 minutes at the van stop.

We are blessed with a diverse group of volunteers who bring so many different talents to our organization. How can we get more volunteers? Is it more postings on online sites? Is it another flyer displayed at local businesses? Is it one volunteer telling a friend about how much they enjoy volunteering with the HCM and how easy it is? This is a multiple-choice question, and the answer is “All of the above.”

A report on a grant project is due. We have been lucky in the amount of grant funding we’ve received this year. This grant from The Fred C. Rummel Foundation supports our home safety program. Regardless of how much grant funding we receive, the heart of our fundraising lies in the contributions of individuals.

Mary Bliss, our assistant director, arrives. It is time for us to discuss particular client needs, problem solve, match new volunteers with clients, schedule appointments to meet new clients or volunteers, discuss current events that influence care of the elderly. Then we have to move onto our separate activities. No day is quite like another for Mary. While she may have specific things on her calendar each day, she always has to be ready for the unexpected and unplanned. If a driver has an emergency and can’t give a ride to a medical appointment, Mary fills in. If a client realizes the cupboard is bare, and a volunteer isn’t available, Mary gets what’s needed. While we meet, a call comes in that a client has been hospitalized. Mary is our designated hospital visitor. She knows all the clients, so she’s not a stranger coming to their bedsides.

It’s always important to revisit a client’s situation to see if they need something more, or if their health has deteriorated so much that we begin to question their safety. Maybe they have a need that they can only ask us in person. Despite the high-tech lives we may be living outside of the HCM, we definitely have to take a step back when working with clients who are in their 80’s and 90’s. Our clients don’t email. Many are uncomfortable leaving voicemail messages. Some don’t have answering machines.

The phone rings. A client’s daughter is wondering what’s the best thing for her mother. Can she remain at home? If so, how much more help can be brought in? Is it time to consider something like assisted living? Maybe a day program and some extra help at home is enough for now. These calls can be very long and involved. Adult children who live in other states may not know what’s available here. People may not know the difference between assisted living and a nursing home. It can be so painful to watch the gradual diminishment of people who were stronger, more capable, and once able to guide us.

Sometimes the call is from another non-profit that helps the elderly. Many times we collaborate on how to put a number of services in place from different organizations to meet all of a person’s needs. Just as common are the calls that come in because other agencies know that our services are unique and are often the last hope for many who cannot utilize other programs.

No matter what the weather, it’s nice to take a break to get the mail and get a cup of coffee. With our office in Dorothea’s House, we’re just a short walk from the Palmer Square Post Office and a range of options for a coffee break.

I have a few letters to write to donors. Our office support comes entirely from volunteers and there is no Information Technology Department, so many times, I need to be adept at many different tasks. Rather than being tedious, writing these letters is one of the more satisfying things I have to do. What’s nicer than saying “Thank you”? There are very few “form” letters at the HCM.

I get ready to go home, but realize that even though my day at the Health Care Ministry is ending, the work continues somewhere as a volunteer may be doing someone’s food shopping, or making a friendly visit after work.