Meet Margaret

The Challenge

Margaret has lived in the same Norfolk neighborhood for more than five decades. Her house is full of memories — her late husband's workshop in the garage, photographs of her grandchildren covering the living room wall, a garden she's tended for thirty years.

Two years ago, her arthritis became severe enough that cooking — once one of her great pleasures — became painful and sometimes dangerous. Her daughter lives two hours away and works full-time. Margaret found herself eating crackers and canned soup, skipping meals, losing weight, and worrying about what came next.

"I didn't want to leave my home," she says. "But I didn't know how I was going to manage."

How Senior Services Helped

A neighbor told Margaret about the Home-Delivered Meals program through Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia. She called, expecting a long wait or complicated eligibility requirements.

"It was so easy," she says. "I called on a Monday. By that Wednesday, someone was bringing me a hot meal. I couldn't believe it."

Within weeks, Margaret also enrolled in the Senior Companion program. Now, a trained volunteer named Evelyn visits every Tuesday morning. They drink coffee, work on jigsaw puzzles, and talk for hours.

"Evelyn knows everything about me," Margaret laughs. "And I know about her grandkids' soccer games. It's a real friendship."

The meal delivery drivers also provide an informal safety check. If Margaret doesn't answer the door during a scheduled delivery, they follow up — a small but vital part of staying safely independent.

The Difference It Made

Margaret has gained back the weight she lost and her doctor describes her nutritional health as excellent. Her arthritis, while unchanged, feels more manageable because she's not struggling to prepare every meal alone.

More than the practical help, she credits Senior Services with restoring her sense of stability.

"I'm not afraid anymore," she says. "I know someone's coming tomorrow. I know I'm not alone. That changes everything."

How You Can Help Another Senior

Right now, older adults like Margaret across Southeastern Virginia are waiting for meal delivery, transportation help, and companionship. Your gift directly funds these programs.