A Day Week in the Life – BBF’s Commitment to Serve

The last few weeks, with one standout seven-day period being particularly memorable, provided me with first-hand insight into some of the even non-healthcare-related daily challenges faced by so many of our elderly community members.  As is perhaps often the case to fully grasp such realities, it all started on a personal note.

My parents were going to be moving to the Pittsburgh area, and after much searching, I found a seemingly ideal over age 55 apartment complex suitable for independent living. It was close to our home and well situated as I looked forward to my near daily visits to be on the way back from work.

After perusing the facility online and making a few calls over the next week to arrange a visit, rather than wait for a call back I decided to just stop by on a Saturday morning. Though the building manager was not there on this particular Saturday, one of the tenants very kindly provided a superb overview of daily life in his relatively newfound home. Our conversation was peppered with his common-sense observations, including an answer to: “Why did you decide to live on the 3rd floor?” – “’Because I didn’t want anyone walking on my head!” Hmmm… good point!

After leaving a note for the manager and following up with a call, I finally got to meet the warm, caring, gem of a person so perfectly suited to the role. I imagined that both her employer and the residents appreciated the wonderful employee who represented them so well. Not only was she a graciously empathetic listener, she also conscientiously messaged me immediately when the previously unavailable apartment I was so desperately seeking, had unbelievably just come open. I could not thank her enough for alleviating such a worry off my shoulders!

After completing all the necessary paperwork, it was indeed time to make this living space inhabitable. The ubiquitous video camera so commonly found on our cell phones provided an ongoing reference of the model apartment.  There were the seemingly simple but exacting tasks such as measuring rooms and open spaces for furniture while accounting for safely using a walker, scheduling deliveries in time for their (parents) arrival, adding handrails to safely navigate the bathrooms, locating the power assist couch and TV such that there was an ever present view overlooking the beautiful countryside, along with acquiring other necessities such as, dishes, plates, cookware, cutlery, linen, towels, and of course, groceries. The ongoing trips to pick up Amazon packages and arrange for a wonderful mother, daughter duo to unpack, wash and put them away as needed, were compounded by multiple lengthy calls to the cable company with conversations resembling a Groundhog Day movie sequence – “Is there a yellow or white flashing light on the modem?… .“  The torment culminated with my running around the building to ensure not missing the cable installer after two inexplicable AI (artificial intelligence) online appointment cancellations. Fortunately, the technician, a former US Navy service member, could not have been more considerate and caring. He assured me that he would rectify the problem and activate the cable and internet service. I thanked him profusely and thought what a complement he was to both his employer and the community.

So what does this have to do with BBF, you might ask? For me, as I mentioned at the beginning of the article, it was an eye opener as to what members of our senior community may have to go through as they navigate the daily challenges of life in addition to addressing healthcare concerns – often without having additional assistance. From BBF’s perspective, it exemplified the importance of one of our primary goals – to provide such help to those in need wherever they may be. Be it here at home or in lands far away.

During my visits to the apartment complex, I also made friends with a number of residents who, knowing about BBF’s work, asked about simple things such as repairing a cane and getting a communal wheelchair along with some walkers and canes for visitors to the building. They grew most excited though as I mentioned the possibility of having the vision, audiology, and potential vaccine mobile clinics visit them there at the facility. With one’s own personal mobility being a challenge as we age, the obvious need for such services and appreciation thereof could not have been more apparent.

When I write about our work locally and within the US otherwise, it always crosses my mind that a number of BBF’s long-time supporters may have been originally drawn to the organization for our relief work overseas.  Please know that BBF’s work in developing countries continues unabated as we continually look to assist those in need the world over. 

Whether it be near or far in an often-divided world, it is heartwarming to see how people do truly care for one another, be they family, friends, coworkers, or simply acquaintances. To quote Bill Withers, Lean on me, when you’re not strong, and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on, for it won’t be long, ‘till I’m gonna need, somebody to lean on…

Thank you so much for letting us carry on with this work!