Every week, for the past three years, Bea Dechert has dropped in to see Mina Schmidt.
They play a dice game, eat some lunch, and share some memories.
They also have a lot of fun while doing it.
Dechert is a volunteer with Community Care Concept’s Friendly Visiting program, a program that matches volunteers with seniors, providing a weekly social outlet for a senior who is on her own.
“I think I just wanted to help the seniors in some way in our community,” said Dechert, describing how she became involved  in the program.
“I know how lonely seniors can be.”
Dechert has taken Schmidt out on drives in the country, spent time admiring her plants, and enjoyed numerous meals with her, through the Meals on Wheels program.
She has also lost quite a few games of Greed, the dice game that Schmidt loves to play.
Schmidt, 92, said that she looks forward to Dechert’s weekly visit. It’s been difficult for her since her husband, Egbert, died in 2007. They were married for 67 years.
Now, through Dechert’s visits, Schmidt is able to have someone to share her memories with, in addition to regular visits from her family.
“I enjoy her visits very much,” said Schmidt.
“I just love to see her smile when I walk through the door.”
Schmidt notes that she eats more of her lunch when Dechert visits. Having someone to share a meal with makes her want to eat, rather than when she is on her own.
Heidi Jones, home maintenance and volunteer visiting coordinator at Community Care Concepts, said that the agency works to match seniors with volunteers who share common interests, with the goal of making it an easy fit for both.
Jones said that the program is designed to help seniors stay in their homes longer, giving them much-needed socialization that makes them feel a part of a larger community.
Volunteers can also keep track of how their senior is faring, noting whether meals are eaten, or whether a senior’s memory is fading. Extra help and support can be provided for seniors, if volunteers report changes in needs to Community Care Concepts.
Dechert said that she and Schmidt connected right from the beginning, sharing a love of plants and flowers, along with the birds that Schmidt lovingly feeds in bird feeders on her deck. They often sit and play Greed in the kitchen, while looking out over on the deck, to see what birds have shown up.
Dechert also brings treats for Schmidt and another senior she visits , taking care to provide diabetic treats for Schmidt, who has a sweet tooth.
And, on holidays, when the Meals on Wheels program isn’t taking place, Dechert still visits Schmidt, bringing a sandwich from a local deli for lunch.
“Bea has a kind heart,” said Schmidt. “She’s so good to me. I couldn’t have it much better.”
For information on volunteering with the Friendly Visiting program, call Community Care Concepts at 519-669-3023.