The Senior Connection: Q&A with Volunteers

Imagine not being able to get up and go take care of everyday errands because of limitations caused by old age. This can be difficult for seniors to deal with as they grow older and become immobile.

This reason is what compelled a merger in 2003 between the former Allied Silver Spring Interfaith Services for Seniors Today (ASSISST) and the Seniors’ Interfaith Resource Center (SIRC) volunteer caregiving programs created The Senior Connection of Montgomery County, Inc.

Since then, senior citizens have been awarded the opportunity to receive transportation assistance from the volunteers in the community. 

For 2 to 3 hours a week, volunteers take seniors to their medical appointments and even to the grocery store. This is a mutually rewarding experience for Delores Baldanian, 68, and Mike Austen,72, who are both retired.

They sat with Silver Spring Patch to share their experiences as volunteers for this senior-assistance organization.  

Patch: What motivated you to volunteer for Senior Connections?

Delores Baldanian: I needed something to do when I retired. I saw the ad and this was what I wanted. For over a year, I started June 2010, I've been taking seniors to doctor's appointments like I did for my family. 

Mike Austen: I was already transporting people at [a local] church and for my friends that couldn't drive themselves. My wife actually introduced me to Senior Connections through her work with the church.

Patch: How do the seniors receive your assistance? Is it appreciated?

Baldanian They treat everyone with kindness, they are very appreciative of us. 

Patch: What rewards do you feel like you get from helping the seniors? 

Austen: It's rewarding for me to be able to do something for someone. I get satisfaction from that. 

Patch: What do you receive for providing these seniors with assistance?

Baldanian: You get to meet people and the seniors are wonderful. You learn about them. I wish I had this when my family needed it. 

Patch: Has volunteering at Senior Connections helped you gain new friendships?

Baldanian: I befriended one lady, we call each other and meet up. We had a good connection. Even though they have family they get lonely.

Patch: Name an instance where you learned something fascinating from a senior.

Austen: I've met some very interesting people. One woman told me how she is 1 of 11 children and 9 of them are still alive. Her mother is 114 years old and she's like the third oldest person in the country. Her 96 year old sister is still a farmer to this day. They come from all over the country and they've come here. It's a mutual reward [to help them].