Senior Companion volunteer recounts a lifetime of service
By Jay Nachman
When Deborah Washington retired in 2013 after 26 years as a letter carrier with the United States Postal Service (USPS), she wanted to continue serving the community. “I retired from a job, not from life,” said Washington, who served for 10 years in the Marines before joining the USPS. “Once you retire, you keep on doing what you were already doing. So, if you weren’t active (before retirement) then you won’t be active (after retiring). But I was already active.”
After overhearing a conversation about Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) while riding on the subway, a lightbulb went off. Not too much later, Washington began volunteering with PCA’s Senior Companion Program.
The Senior Companion Program is a person-to-person service program for older adults. Through the program, companions aged 55-plus are paired with older adults who are homebound, isolated and need assistance to remain in their homes. Senior Companions provide socialization and assist with daily tasks, including preparing light meals, running errands and accompanying participants to medical appointments.
Washington, 65, who grew up in North Philadelphia and now lives in Overbrook Park, was paired with Masa Hunley, 89, almost three years ago.
PCA first introduced the two women to each other to see if they were a match. “She was worried about (getting along with) me,” Washington said. “I wasn’t worried about her because I knew she was going to like me. We hit it off really well.”
As a Senior Companion, Washington regularly visits Hunley twice a week in her Germantown apartment. By assisting with small tasks, such as shopping and escorting Hunley to medical appointments, Washington helps give her companion, who she describes as active, a better quality of life.
Sometimes, the two will take a walk together or go out to lunch. “She’s fun. Almost like my grandmother,” Washington, said. “She has a good way about her. She thanks me, then I thank her for giving me a chance to serve and for trusting me to come into her home.”
Washington is also thankful for the opportunity Hunley provides for “loving up on her” and to be able to soak up the wisdom that Hunley has learned and earned.
While serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Washington worked as a recruiter for two years in the Kensington office across from the Jules E. Mastbaum Area Vocational/Technical High School, where she graduated. After leaving the Marines, where she rose to the rank of sergeant and earned a bachelor’s degree in business, Washington took the post office exam in October 1988.
She became a mail carrier in December of that year, thinking it was something she would do while she figured out her next step. “Once I got out there in those streets, I knew it was where I belonged,” she said.
“I probably wouldn’t have survived (working) in a cubicle or anything like that.”
She served postal customers in the Logan and East Oak Lane neighborhoods and became an official member of those communities, looking out for the older residents on her route and making sure everyone had stamps. While collecting and delivering the mail, she occasionally had to dodge an angry dog or two and even got bit a few times. To this day, she returns to visit her old customers and help out the- older women who have become like family.
Washington said her desire to serve stems, in part, from her Islamic faith. The mother of two sons became a Muslim 30 years ago while seeking spiritual guidance.
Serving as a Senior Companion to Hunley is “just something that I enjoy doing, as if it was my mom or my grandmom, who have both passed,” Washington said. “So, it’s like serving them and praying that, if it was my mom or my grandmom, someone would be doing the same thing. It has to be in your heart,” Robinson said.
Senior Companion volunteers needed!
PCA’s Senior Companion Program is a person-to-person service program for older adults. Through the program, volunteers aged 55-plus are paired with older adults who are homebound, isolated and need assistance to remain in their homes. Senior Companions provide socialization and assist with daily tasks, including light meal preparation, errands and accompaniment to medical appointments. In return, Senior Companion volunteers receive an hourly tax-free stipend; travel and meal reimbursements; paid holiday, sick and vacation time; paid pre-service training; and four hours of continuous monthly training.
Interested volunteers must meet Senior Companion Program income requirements, be able to serve 20 hours per week, and pass a criminal background check. Last year, the program offered assistance to nearly 90 older Philadelphians, thanks to the efforts of more than 40 volunteers. Active, older adults who want to make a difference in the lives of other Philadelphians can call 215-422-4888 or visit pcaCares.org/senior-companion-program for more information.
Jay Nachman is a freelance writer in Philadelphia who tells stories for a variety of clients.
