This Month's Positive Aging Role Model

Roger made it very clear right from the beginning that he was not cut out for retirement at age 59. In fact, his boredom was having a negative impact on his life. Roger said even his dog, Yogi, was so tired of their day-to-day doldrums that they would both be happy to lick stamps for an organization to keep busy!

Roger was the sole caregiver for his wife during her 12-year battle with cancer, and he is very interested in hospice activities. He contacted RSVP, a nonprofit group that places volunteers age 55 and older where they are needed in the community in central Oklahoma. RSVP put him in touch with Hospice of OK County, and he soon will begin training as a hospice volunteer.

Roger also tutors students in reading at Lake Park Elementary School with RSVP’s America Reads program. He has volunteered to make daily telephone calls to check on a 93-year-old woman through RSVP’s Telephone Buddies program. Next month, he will begin to help with a weekly mailing at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Maybe Roger (and Yogi?) will lick a few stamps after all!

Roger wants to do even more, but he is already off to a good start. Before he called RSVP, he felt useless and unneeded. Those feelings could have done tremendous damage to his physical and emotional well-being. Little did he know how much he has to contribute! As a result of one phone call to RSVP, in just two weeks Roger went from being bored and lonely to being a vital contributor to his community. Roger and the staff of RSVP are in close contact and we are very happy to hear a new, happy tone in his voice when we talk. Now that’s success!

Visit RSVP's website: www.rsvpokc.org