1.  Do you know an elderly person who is living on their own, unable to get out into the community and without many local connections? Could you plan to visit them on a regular basis?  Just stopping in for a short conversation can be very helpful. Come with a few questions to get the conversation going and then just be a good listener as they share their stories with you. Or, bring along a game to play, do a Bible reading together, read a book out loud, bring along a baked treat to share. Perhaps you can also offer to do some simple tasks for them – a little light housekeeping or repairs, some yard work, help with a task on the computer, running a quick errand. The important thing is to connect with them, so they know they are not forgotten.
2. Do you know someone living in a nursing home or assisted living facility? Could you visit them regularly? When you do, look for ways to connect with other residents. Can you visit with your friend or relative in the lounge area so that you (and your children if you bring any) can interact with other residents? Or can you ask your friend to visit the room of another resident with you, so that someone else can benefit from your visit?
3. If you don’t know someone living in a nursing home, you can help out in other ways. Speak with the Activity Director of a nursing home near you to see if you can bring in a simple activity to share.  Perhaps you have card-making supplies or you play an instrument or you can get a small group together to sing for the residents. Maybe you can get a knitting group started or find some residents who enjoy playing cards. Or maybe you are comfortable simply visiting with residents who don’t usually get visitors. The possibilities are endless, and the Activity Director can probably help you decide what will work best for you and the nursing home you want to visit.   
4. Another great way to serve older people in need is through the Wheels on Meals program. Most Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver meals to seniors at their homes. Usually, meals are picked up at a central location and delivered along a regular route. This enables the volunteers to form relationships with the people on their route. The volunteers provide food and social interaction as well as regular check-ins, all of which are essential to the well-being of the people they serve. For more information, go to https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/about/. If you are interested in connecting to others in any of these ways, the Garden Outreach would like to help. We offer an Eldercare grant of up to XXXX  to help with the purchase of supplies. You could use the money to purchase a few simple board games, supplies for crafts, treats to share with the residents, or whatever would help get your project off the ground. Just fill out an application and let us know what you plan to do with the funds. Then get started and see how rewarding this type of outreach can be.

Here are some suggestions for resources you might find useful:

• The game of Ouisi, recommended for seniors. View online.
• Large print Bibles
• Picture Book of Psalms, Picture Book of Bible Verses, Picture Book of Gospels – picture books with Bible verses recommended for seniors with dementia. Available from a number of booksellers.