Marie Seavey Washington County
I live in Westlake in Washington County, where I worked as a CNA for 20 years before retiring at 61. I have been married now for 30 years and I currently live alone because my husband is in long-term care.
Before my husband went into the nursing home, we were getting nutrition assistance and had over $400 budgeted for food, however, once the pandemic ended and they stopped the assistance, it went down to $100, and now most recently, $80 per month for groceries.
"I had just $80 per month for groceries."
In August, I broke my hip and I couldn’t go grocery shopping, so between being homebound and my income, my daughter enrolled me in the Meals on Wheels program with Eastern Area Agency on Aging, and it was such a relief. Just to have food in the house, and be able to eat a meal that has meat is a gift. Most of the time, what I eat, I get from Meals on Wheels.
The interaction I get with my MOW driver is amazing. I've never been alone in my life. I used to sit and watch TV, just to keep my mind occupied. But I had to disconnect that because it was too expensive, and the silence was so loud. Having that delivery to look forward to, and having another human to talk to and interact with is so nice.
I appreciate Eastern Area Agency on Aging because they have helped me so much in other ways besides Meals on Wheels. I now have the info of community organizations if I need anything. It’s so much more than just Meals on Wheels. Before I learned about the agency, I wouldn't have been able to survive. Now, I don't have any stress anymore. I know I can get the help. that I need. | 