Twice a month, thanks to a unique program for the homebound, Lisa Bell, 58, of Folsom, and Ruth Raines, 83, of Springfield, can become lost in the fascinating world of King Tut, or Khufu’s magnificent pyramid at Giza. They are part of Senior Community Services’ (SCS) Senior Center at Home Program (SCAH), a goal-oriented therapeutic recreation program for the homebound.

The Program, developed in 1995 by SCS, is designed to reduce the social isolation often experienced by Delaware County’s growing frail elderly population. By encouraging participation in activities with a volunteer visitor, its aim is to help them achieve more self-esteem, a renewed interest in life—and perhaps a new friend. SCAH receives support from The Pew Charitable Trusts, The Rae S. Uber Trust, a BNY Mellon Mid-Atlantic Charitable Trust, The Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith Memorial Fund-administered by Wells Fargo Bank, N. A. Philanthropic Services, and the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA.)

SCAH Program Coordinator, Barbara Caso, carefully matches volunteers and participants according to their interests and locale, a practice that has insured the program’s continued success. Volunteers and participants compile scrapbooks, play board games, listen to music, exchange recipes, do indoor gardening, reminisce, research special subjects in books or on the computer, and more.

For SCS volunteer, Bell, and participant, Raines, their mutual interest in Egyptian hieroglyphics has cemented the relationship and resulted in many fascinating discussions. “It all started with a hieroglyphics kit I received for Christmas,” relates Raines, “I have always been into Egyptian art and civilization, but receiving the kit spurred my interests even further. Lisa and I spend hours trying to decipher the hieroglyphic symbols in the kit and matching them to words in our language.”

“Most people think that the Pyramids were built by slaves, but this is not true,” relates Bell, “One hundred thousand people worked on it for three months each year during the Nile’s annual flood. They were artisans, employees of the Pharaoh and their relatives. The Pharaoh provided them with good food and clothing while they labored.” Then Raines, who was pouring over a History of the World Time Chart that was stretched across the dining room table, declares, “Just think, for over four thousand years, the Great Pyramid at Giza was the tallest building in the world!”
Despite their age difference, a rich friendship has developed between the two women.
 

“I am just thrilled that someone can visit me, someone who talks about interesting things and likes the same things I do,” says Raines, who has been married 61 years and is a caregiver for her husband. “My life is better for these visits. I am so glad I met Lisa.”  Bell has also gleaned many rewards from the visits.  Says she, “Our visits are almost like scholarly pursuits. Exploring the beginnings of civilizations is like a pyramid of growth. It’s almost like our friendship. The more we explore these fascinating people of ancient days, the more we uncover layers of our own personalities, and life experiences.”
 

For information on volunteering as a SCAH visitor contact Program Manager Barbara Caso at 610-237-6222, Ext. 157 or check the SCS website at www.scs-delco.org.
SCAH collaborates with Temple University Department of Therapeutic Recreation, for consultation, evaluation, and training purposes.