April 2020 Newsletter

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Homeless At Any Age

At 82-years-old, Phyllis is homeless because of age related issues. She is not the only octogenarian, 80-something person, at our Samaritan Inn for women and children, nor at our men’s shelter. She had been living alone in a subsidized apartment for 20 years. Her rent was 30% of her minimal social security income. She does not drive a car but was able to walk, with the aid of a walker, to the grocery store across the street. She still cooked meals, although not always balanced for nutrition, and some days she just did not care about eating. Phyllis was lonely. She said, “I like people around the table.” There was some memory loss, like forgetting a doctor appointment, and that time she left the stove on starting a small fire. Family wanted her to live closer to them. She has 3 children, 12 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. She was feeling her own mortality and still had family relationships to mend. So, she took the leap of moving into a family member’s household. All parties had the best of intensions. She loves them, but they were not compatible. Instead of being an endearing member of the family, she was seen as a burden with age related problems. She lived there nearly a year in what became known as the “war room.” The tension and her rent kept increasing until it was time to move out.

In reality, it was time to get on waiting lists for the same kind of housing that she used to have. But the wait could be a year long. Home life was in crisis mode now. Phyllis needed to be rescued. She was already feeling vulnerable, then the thought of having to go to a homeless shelter at her age put a fear of being harmed into her. She imagined the worst and was only relieved after arriving at Samaritan Inn. In comparison she said, “It is peaceful here.” She found a safe, uplifting environment. She met other women in similar situations and staff to help. As of this writing, she has been here more than six months and is still rising to the top of the subsidized housing lists for an apartment of her own. She is physically and mentally independent enough to not qualify for assisted living.

In the meantime, Samaritan Inn is her temporary home, indeed a place with more of what she was looking for. She has “people around the table,” even three prepared meals daily. Her living quarters are in our special needs area that has four bedrooms with two shared but private restrooms, a separate shower room, and living room. Her bedroom is shared with two other women. And she really appreciates our evening chapel services, saying they are great and the volunteers are awesome. She likes the prayer time, messages, and singing. It reminds her of when she used to sing in a choir and play a guitar in church. Phyllis said, “When I am feeling down, chapel cheers me up.” The outcome has been an encouraging experience of community rescue.