At CareWell Services Southwest, the journey from isolation to a vibrant social network often begins with a single step. For Eustolia (EJ) Luna and Pam Sutton, women who formed friendships at CareWell Services, their lives shifted the moment they realized they were no longer facing the challenges of aging alone.
“When I was first introduced to CareWell, I needed assistance. I was in bed,” said Luna. “I had a slip and fall accident and that was the starting of a lot of help from CareWell.” She was connected with needed services to help her heal, and once she regained her strength she started attending programs at CareWell Services.
Sutton was “stuck at home alone” and decided to try some of the programs at CareWell Services. She was looking for a social network and ways to maintain her independence.
Luna and Sutton’s paths crossed one day in the pool room on the first floor of the Kool Family Community Center, when Luna decided to approach Sutton.
“I said, oh boy, I’d like to meet her!” said Luna, who asked Sutton to teach her how to play pool. “And she taught me how, or she’s still teaching me.”
“No, she knows how to play!” interjected Sutton. “She’s trying to hustle me.”
The duo also plays Double Solitaire together, and have continued to build their friendship as they attended other programs. Now the pair spend hours on the phone together each week, in addition to their weekly trips to CareWell Services. They each have also made use of some of the additional services the organization offers, including hearing and vision services, Medicare benefits counseling, and more.
Luna and Sutton have developed other friendships as well, forming a group of regulars known as the Lunch Bunch, who often attend CareWell Services’ Friday programs together. These programs include the MoveWell exercise class, the weekly Lunch and Learn, and the Obie game time.
“The Lunch Bunch attends the Lunch and Learn nearly every Friday,” said Colleen Acker, Community Living Programs Manager at CareWell. “[They] often have lively discussions and…make jokes with each other.”
Experiences like Luna’s and Sutton’s show how important social connection is for aging well.
“I think it turned my life around,” said Sutton, who enjoys the opportunities to exercise and learn about different topics with her friends.
CareWell Services’ mission to promote health, independence, and choice is accomplished by offering spaces for social connection, not just health-related services.
“Seeing people connect and support each other in our classes intensifies my belief that these activities are integral to quality of life,” said Acker. “The most rewarding part is knowing that someone’s world has just expanded a bit. I love seeing people motivate themselves to do something positive and then enjoy all the repercussions of that action.”
CareWell Services Southwest is the Area Agency on Aging for Barry and Calhoun counties, serving seniors, persons with disabilities, and caregivers. CareWell Services offers a variety of programs and workshops that support the health and wellness of its participants, including those that address the needs of caregivers, persons with dementia, those dealing with chronic conditions, and more.