CLIENT PROFILES

 Our commitment at Heart of the Valley, SERVICES FOR SENIORS, Inc. is to be extenders of independence. We believe that seniors should be able remain in their own homes and that it is crucial to their psychological well being to do so as long as possible.

The following are profiles of some elderly clients that we serve:

Client #1 is a 94-year old woman living in her own home in Los Gatos. She has vision impairments and has had extensive knee surgeries. Heart of the Valley volunteers escort her to medical appointments, shopping and help with errands. She has two sons who live out of state. Without these services her sons tell us she would not be able to remain on her own.

Client #2 is an 80-year old man living with his wife in a rented apartment in Campbell. He is connected to an oxygen tank and needs assistance whenever he goes out of the home. Just carrying the portable tank tires him out quickly. His 82-year old wife is too frail to assist. Heart of the Valley volunteers escort him to his many medical appointments and take him and his wife grocery shopping. Being able to do their own shopping has greatly boosted their morale. He tells us there is something very important about being able to select one's own groceries . . . especially produce!

Client #3 is an 81-year old woman living on her own in her Saratoga home. Her only son lives close by but is alcoholic and will not help her. About a year and a half ago she suffered a debilitating stroke, which caused the right side of her body to cease functioning. She has a determined spirit and strong will and fights to maintain her independence. She drags her right side along when she walks and cannot speak. She uses grunts to communicate to volunteers. Heart of the Valley volunteers escort her to vital medical appointments and physical therapy. Our volunteers also assist her with paperwork.

Client #4 is a 75-year old woman living in a senior apartment in Cupertino. She has five children living out of the state. She has almost no contact with any of them. She suffers from a brain tissue disease that impairs her ability to walk. She is also incontinent. Besides providing much needed companionship, Heart of the Valley volunteers shop for groceries and put them away for her. They also assist with light housekeeping. She states that without our assistance she would have to go to a facility with a higher degree of care.

Client #5 is a 97-year old woman living alone in a rented apartment in San Jose. She loves to decorate for the holidays.  Heart of the Valley volunteers like to help and have even been around on Halloween to help with the trick or treaters.

Client #6 is a 74-year old woman living in her own home in Santa Clara. She recently had carpal tunnel surgery and Heart of the Valley volunteers help her with housekeeping, transportation and shopping. In addition, they have provided her with security while she takes a shower and have prepared some meals for her.

Client #7 is a 96-year old woman living in her Campbell home. Her driveway got so overgrown with trees and brush that the city considered it a safety hazard. Heart of the Valley volunteers were able to do the work and hauled the tree limbs and bushes away. Both the client and the city were greatly satisfied.

Client #8 is a 76-year old widow living in a rented apartment in Santa Clara. She has a rare blood disorder that requires many trips to the hospital. Heart of the Valley volunteers escort her to these appointments and have helped her sort through many boxes she has accumulated. They also help her with a variety of house projects.

Client #9 is a fiercely independent 88-year old retired Army Major who never married and has no children. She lives independently in her own apartment. Throughout her association with Heart of the Valley her eyesight has continued to deteriorate to the point where she is now blind. Our volunteers take her shopping, run her errands, read her mail to her and drive her to doctors' appointments.

Client #10 is a 74-year old living with her little dog in her home in San Jose. She has no children and often needs assistance with home repairs and likes to have a friendly visitor from time to time. Heart of the Valley volunteers provide these much needed services.

Client #11 is an 82-year old veteran living alone in his home in San Jose. When he was younger and his wife was still living, he maintained a beautiful yard. Since his health has declined, he requires assistance to maintain the yard work. His income is so low that he cannot afford to have gardeners come, so volunteers from Heart of the Valley help keep the yard trimmed.

Client #12 is a 75-year old veteran living alone in a rented apartment in Los Gatos. For the last five years he has been in very poor health and has been using the services of Heart of the Valley volunteers to help him with transportation and do errands for him. Recently, he had another surgery and it was determined that he could no longer live on his own. Heart of the Valley worked in conjunction with other area agencies in helping him to secure the next level of housing.