Caregiver tip: Take your 'energy temperature'
May 6, 2024
“I was just a guy with can of tuna until Swipe ‘N’ Dine... I met Sam, a fellow veteran, and we shared laughs. This program didn’t just fill my plate; it’s filled my heart.”
–Henry, SND participant
Under the umbrella of Deupree Meals on Wheels which delivers essential nutrition to vulnerable, homebound older adults, Swipe ‘N’ Dine (SND) serves a different purpose—one rooted in connection and belonging.
Funded in part by the Council on Aging, SND is an innovative new initiative for older adults to enjoy a meal in a partnering restaurant or they may choose to attend an ERS “Pop-Up” restaurant, operated by SND staff and volunteers in partnership with local restaurants, caterers and community venues. Often the first point of entry for new clients, many attendees initially arrive alone and for the meal, but soon return each week, eager to reconnect with new friends and invite others to join.
A year ago, 94 year old Janet lost her beloved husband. Legally blind, she still manages to live in the Deer Park home they purchased together in 1960. Unable to venture out of the house alone, she spends days on end with little interaction with others.
Living an hour away, her adoring daughter Lynne is her lifeline. She calls daily and visits each Tuesday to help pay bills, run errands, attend appointments, and tackle projects. But more than anything, they enjoy being together.
Before Lynne departs on Wednesday, they attend SND at the library where they meet up with old friends, many of whom grew up with Lynne. Knowing Janet won’t likely leave the house until she returns, Lynne sees SND as the highlight of her mother’s week. Janet agrees, “I love the chatter... the food... and just getting out of the house."
