Friendship on the Menu
By DIANE YORK
Friendship Café is a nutritional support program
provided by Senior Connections, the Capital Area Agency on Aging.
Friendship Cafés provide four hours of socialization, exercise and one
hot meal a day for active people age 60 or older.
On a recent day at the Café located in the West Richmond Church of the
Brethren, participants shared the importance of the program to them.
Anna Hammons, 96, with delicate features and snow white hair in curls,
has been coming to a Friendship Café for 11 years.
“It is a great outlet for me,” she said. “I meet people and we talk. I
like playing cards and games and the exercise is good for me.”
Nancy Rutty, a comparative youngster at age 63, said, “Without this
program, I would go stir-crazy!” She got up to lead the other members in
an aerobic routine accompanied by lively music.
After Carrie Lucas, 92, participated eagerly in the exercises, she said,
“I have attended since 1992. The exercise is the best part. I live by
myself. I love being out with these people—they are my friends.”
At this, three of the other women echoed, “Yes, we are her friends.”
Lucas beamed.
The lunch that day was hot turkey with all the trimmings.
There are 16 café locations in the Senior Connections service area of
Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent and
Powhatan Counties and the City of Richmond. (Other Virginia area
agencies on aging have similar programs.) Transportation is provided.
The program is for active adults and is not appropriate for Alzheimer’s
patients. Call Mary Creasy at (804) 343-3029 for more information or to
determine eligibility.
Diane York has a master’s degree in
rehabilitation counseling. She lives in Richmond and often writes about
health and fitness.
