Seniors encouraged to get involved

To the editor:

Regarding suicides among older men in Iowa ('At risk,” Feb. 18). One of the best ways to combat the social isolation that can come with aging is to be actively involved in social service work.

In our area, Elder Services, Inc. provides many opportunities for seniors to reach out and help others. These include helping with Meals on Wheels, visiting shut-ins, driving people to medical appointments and much more.

I've been involved for 14 years in their Retired and Senior Volunteer Program 'Rock and Read” project in the Iowa City schools. I've regularly read to kindergartners at Longfellow School and, more recently, with sixth-graders at Grant Wood School. I started out at about one hour a week and now I'm putting in about seven.

This work not only gets me out and about on a regular basis, it given me dozens and dozens of new young friends! I can share my experiences with them (and hopefully help them develop new skills) and they can share the excitement of being young with me. It's one of the best parts of my week.

RSVP is active in Johnson, Iowa, Washington, and Des Moines counties.

You can contact program director Rosemary Schwartz at (319) 338-0515 or rschwartz@elderservicesinc.com.

Jim Walters

Iowa City