Special Sections - Senior Living

Volunteer Sharon Ryan listened to a participant during snack time at the Cardinal Ritter Adult Day Program on the Cardinal Carberry Campus in Shrewsbury.
Volunteer Sharon Ryan listened to a participant during snack time at the Cardinal Ritter Adult Day Program on the Cardinal Carberry Campus in Shrewsbury.
04/22/2009

Cardinal Ritter Senior Services explains that volunteers make a key contribution

When told that the Cardinal Ritter Adult Day Program in Shrewsbury is “a happy place,” Sharon Ryan was interested in volunteering there.

She had contacted Catholic Charities to inquire about possible places to volunteer. It was 14 years ago, and she’s still volunteering once a week at the program serving as a respi...

04/22/2009

Better Business Bureau — Helps resolve consumer complaints and offers information on complaints about businesses. Call (314) 645-3300.

Contact 2/Call for Action — Volunteer organization sponsored by KTVI-TV (Channel 2) providing confidential referral and ombudsman services for consumers. Call (800) 782-2222.

Cardinal Ritter Adult Day Programs — Provides respite...

04/22/2009

Residents can receive home-delivered meals, case management and more

The St. Louis Area Agency on Aging (SLAAA) offers many services for seniors who are 60 years of age or older living in the City of St. Louis, their caregivers, and persons 18-59 who are on disability.

To cover service fees, SLAAA receives federal, state and local funding. This funding does not cover the entire cost of services. SLAAA welcomes contributions, but...

04/22/2009

Volunteers are making an impact in St. Louis in the OASIS Intergenerational Tutoring Program.

The program matches trained senior volunteers with children who need help with reading and language skills. Currently 290 OASIS tutors work with 309 students, kindergarten through fourth grade, in 40 Catholic schools in the St. Louis Archdiocese.

The tutoring program, which began in 1989, partners a senior with a student who needs help w...

04/22/2009

Tutors over age 55 who help young students on a regular basis experience positive physical and mental health outcomes, according to studies released by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.

The tutors studied were members of Experience Corps, an award-winning organization that trains thousands of people over 55 to tutor children in urban public schools across the...

Margie and Nick Voigt of St. Joseph Parish in Manchester recently got together with their daughter, Nancy Adams, in the food pantry room in Adams' basement.
Margie and Nick Voigt of St. Joseph Parish in Manchester recently got together with their daughter, Nancy Adams, in the food pantry room in Adams' basement.
04/22/2009

Nearly 20 years ago, Marge and Nick Voigt decided to open their home to their parish — literally.

Back then, Marge Voigt had become involved in a new service ministry at the Voigts’ parish, St. Joseph in Manchester.

“They started doing a lot of services for parishioners,” including meals for the sick and parish representatives at funeral Masses, said the 70 year old. 

“Another person and...

Vince Lochirco and Pat Aman of St. Paul Parish in Fenton Displayed puzzles they are making for patients at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital
Vince Lochirco and Pat Aman of St. Paul Parish in Fenton Displayed puzzles they are making for patients at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital
04/22/2009

Woodworker, artist’s talents at puzzles benefit children at Cardinal Glennon

It’s no puzzle how Vince Lochirco and Pat Aman spend their spare time.

The two members of St. Paul Parish in Fenton are creating puzzles for young patients at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center.

“Woodworking is my hobby,” said Lochirco, 70, a retired heating and air conditioning specialist...

Margaret Lavin handled phone calls and much more in her role at the Review, where she was the longtime secretary to the editor.
Margaret Lavin handled phone calls and much more in her role at the Review, where she was the longtime secretary to the editor.
04/22/2009

Margaret Lavin came to the St. Louis Review in 1957 intending to work there for a short while.

“I was just going to get experience and take it somewhere else. But I liked it and kept working there,” she said.

Lavin recently retired from the Review after 51 years, working for seven editors and five archbishops, who serve as publisher of the Review. “Little did I ever think I’d be there this long,” she...

04/14/2009

The Relatives as Parents Program gets high marks from Shirley Crumer.

Raising a 14-year-old and a 6-year-old with the help of her husband, Crumer found invaluable help from the group Keepers of the Flame, which meets at the Five Star Senior Center in South St. Louis.
“I’ve been going five years or so. I enjoy it. It’s something all of us look forward to. We can’t do without it,” Crumer said.

Sh...

Musician Charlie Block played the accordion March 24 for participants in the Cardinal Ritter Senior Services Adult Day Program on the Cardinal Carberry Campus in Shrewsbury
Musician Charlie Block played the accordion March 24 for participants in the Cardinal Ritter Senior Services Adult Day Program on the Cardinal Carberry Campus in Shrewsbury
04/14/2009

Cardinal Ritter Senior Services now has two adult day programs, with the newest one in St. Charles.
The St. Robert Adult Day Program in St. Charles is a licensed adult day program with a capacity to provide care for a maximum of 40 people a day.

The Cardinal Ritter Senior Services Adult Day Program on the Cardinal Carberry campus in Shrewsbury also is a state licensed facility with a capacity of 40 people per day. It is open Monda...