Life hasn’t been easy for Henry Mitchell, 80, of Upper Darby. But the year 2006 stands out in his memory more than most. In June, Henry, who is blind, lost his seeing- eye dog, Twain, to cancer. July his wife, Barbara, died, and in August his apartment was condemned because of electrical problems. Still, Henry hasn’t lost his hopeful outlook on life.
      A large part of that is due to the Senior Center at Home Program (SCAH), a unique goal-oriented therapeutic recreation program provided by Senior Community Services (SCS) that serves frail homebound elderly who are isolated and may suffer from depression or loneliness.
      Developed in 1995, SCAH helps homebound elderly maintain their independence at home. The program’s goal is to reduce social isolation and promote the well being of Delaware County’s frail elderly by encouraging participation in activities with a volunteer visitor. Funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts, The Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith Memorial Fund, the Patricia Kind Family Foundation, and the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA), the program measures its success by the careful screening of Program Manager, Barbara Caso, who matches volunteers with participants according to mutual interests and geographic locality.
      Volunteers and participants compile photo albums, listen to music, play board games, exchange recipes, reminisce, garden and engage in other goal-oriented leisure activities which increase self-esteem and provide a sense of control.
      Henry’s visitor is SCAH Recreation Therapy Assistant, Michael Reger, of Springfield. During most of their visits, Reger helps Henry identify and organize his financial papers to clear space for his art supplies.   “Since cannot see, I tell him what papers are in each envelope. Then he uses a Braille card to label them,” relates Reger. “We’ve even spent our time together shredding papers that need to go out in the trash. Other times, we just talk.”
      Henry, who has arthritis and suffers from back pain, still enjoys sculpting. He says that he uses his memory to execute each piece.  “I feel its shape with my hands,” says Mitchell, holding up his hands as if he were working on a piece. “Then I visualize the idea of the sculpture in my mind, and somehow it all comes about.”  He uses metal, ceramic clay, wood and sometimes a form of plaster to make his unique and beautiful works of art.
Henry lost his sight during his senior year in high school because of a detached retina. He went on to acquire his BA in fine arts at Temple University, and pursued his interests in sculpting and teaching. One of his proudest milestones occurred between 1976 and1986, when his work was exhibited at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Surprisingly, his lack of sight hasn’t kept Henry from traveling. He never hesitates to hop on a Baltimore-bound bus to visit his son, or his four grandchildren and granddaughter.
        Henry also enjoys writing fiction, which he used to do on a Braille typewriter. But it has fallen into disrepair, and he is unable to afford to purchase another. SCAH works towards helping Henry attain a sense of accomplishment through participation in his artwork. “I am so grateful for this Program. These visits with Mike are not only nice, but they help me immensely,” relates Henry. “Mike has been a real friend to me. I’m very fortunate to have met such nice people from one agency.”
      To volunteer for SCAH, or for more information on the Program, call Barbara Caso at 610.237.6222, or check out the SCS website at www.scs-delco.org