ON ISLAND
Meals On Wheels
Commited to Caring... One Serving at a Time
by Amelia Smith
When James L. Harrison took early retirement from his career as a commercial pilot in 1987, his friend and mentor, fellow pilot Howard Henrickson, said, “You need something to do.” Howard encouraged Jim to become involved in a variety of civic activities here, including Meals On Wheels.
Jim has been a Meals on Wheels volunteer for more than 23 years. He drives the Edgartown route once a week. This year he was named Volunteer of the Year by Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands, and got a citation from the Massachusetts State Senate to honor his outstanding service and commitment. “I enjoy it,” Jim says. “I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t enjoy it. The people, they’re very appreciative of the service. I deliver on Monday, which for some is the first time anyone has darkened their doorways in three days.” The volunteer handbook includes instructions on how to deal with situations like falls, or if someone seems unwell, or doesn’t answer the door. “Sometimes you worry, but I’ve never had anything dramatic happen,” Jim says, but at the same time he says that there are always surprises. “In general, aviation was a lot more boring than this.”
“The food is a vehicle. It’s also a well-being check,” says Heidi Dietterich, Nutrition Manager for Meals On Wheels. “If a person isn’t home, we have to check on them and find out where they are.” Heidi works out of an office in the oldest part of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. The hospital cafeteria prepares the meals, which are to be re-heated in the microwave. “Our consumers have their favorites,” she says. “They love the pot roast, love the quiche.” They also get less familiar fare, like spring rolls and curries, something different every day of the month.
“It’s a little bit like air traffic control in here,” Heidi says. “We deliver over 125 meals a day. We had 23% growth last year and expect another 30% growth this year.” With an aging population, she says that the program will continue to grow. Calls come in to the office about all kinds of things, a participant coming home from a stay in the hospital, another one going in to the hospital, and requests to find help for other challenges facing the elderly customers of Meals On Wheels. “Even if people have family here,” Heidi says, “that family might have jobs and kids. They can’t be there 24-7. It’s taking care of the caregivers, too. We try to help everyone.”
Jim’s wife, Ricky (Ulricke) acts as navigator on his delivery route. “Meals on Wheels is twice as hard in the summer as it is the rest of the year, just because of the traffic,” she says. They work as a team, keeping each other company and arguing about which way to turn as they deliver meals. They get to know some of the people who they deliver to, and in some cases continue relationships that began with elderly friends before they were housebound.
“The Island takes very good care of its people, they really do.” Heidi says.
“I expect that some day I’ll need Meals On Wheels, too,” Jim says, but for now, he’s still behind the wheel, helping others stay in their own homes, with their dignity and their independence.
Jim has been a Meals on Wheels volunteer for more than 23 years. He drives the Edgartown route once a week. This year he was named Volunteer of the Year by Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands, and got a citation from the Massachusetts State Senate to honor his outstanding service and commitment. “I enjoy it,” Jim says. “I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t enjoy it. The people, they’re very appreciative of the service. I deliver on Monday, which for some is the first time anyone has darkened their doorways in three days.” The volunteer handbook includes instructions on how to deal with situations like falls, or if someone seems unwell, or doesn’t answer the door. “Sometimes you worry, but I’ve never had anything dramatic happen,” Jim says, but at the same time he says that there are always surprises. “In general, aviation was a lot more boring than this.”
“The food is a vehicle. It’s also a well-being check,” says Heidi Dietterich, Nutrition Manager for Meals On Wheels. “If a person isn’t home, we have to check on them and find out where they are.” Heidi works out of an office in the oldest part of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. The hospital cafeteria prepares the meals, which are to be re-heated in the microwave. “Our consumers have their favorites,” she says. “They love the pot roast, love the quiche.” They also get less familiar fare, like spring rolls and curries, something different every day of the month.
“It’s a little bit like air traffic control in here,” Heidi says. “We deliver over 125 meals a day. We had 23% growth last year and expect another 30% growth this year.” With an aging population, she says that the program will continue to grow. Calls come in to the office about all kinds of things, a participant coming home from a stay in the hospital, another one going in to the hospital, and requests to find help for other challenges facing the elderly customers of Meals On Wheels. “Even if people have family here,” Heidi says, “that family might have jobs and kids. They can’t be there 24-7. It’s taking care of the caregivers, too. We try to help everyone.”
Jim’s wife, Ricky (Ulricke) acts as navigator on his delivery route. “Meals on Wheels is twice as hard in the summer as it is the rest of the year, just because of the traffic,” she says. They work as a team, keeping each other company and arguing about which way to turn as they deliver meals. They get to know some of the people who they deliver to, and in some cases continue relationships that began with elderly friends before they were housebound.
“The Island takes very good care of its people, they really do.” Heidi says.
“I expect that some day I’ll need Meals On Wheels, too,” Jim says, but for now, he’s still behind the wheel, helping others stay in their own homes, with their dignity and their independence.