Name:
Patricia
Town Of Residence:
Marlborough
Can You Tell Us About Your Family?
I am 77 and I live alone in senior housing.
Which Direct Service Do You Benefit From?
I use Marlborough Community Cupboard’s Senior Mobile Market which drops groceries off at my house once a month.
Can You Tell Me How Long You Have Been Using the Senior Mobile Market?
They have been coming to my house for a few years.
Can You Tell Me Why You Use the Senior Mobile Market?
I use this service because I have a lot of health issues. I have emphysema, COPD, and arthritis. I can’t really leave the house and if I do it takes a lot out of me because of my walker and oxygen tank. My daughter helps me as much as she can, but she is busy. Since I have health issues already and Coronavirus is out there, I don’t want to get sick. I was exposed to COVID a couple weeks ago, so I am self-quarantining now.
How Did You Find Out About the Senior Mobile Market?
There is a woman that lives in senior housing with me and she told me about it.
What Kind Of Help Do You Receive from the Senior Mobile Market?
I get food once a month from nice and friendly volunteers. I get so much fresh fruit and veggies, which I really like. I’m not much of a meat eater but I do like fish. Since they know me now, they always send me fish when they have it. They send such a good variety of food. It’s wonderful!
What Is The Best Part Of the Senior Mobile Market?
The best part of this is just knowing it’s here. You can count on them. It’s miraculous to have all these volunteers that are helping. We need to help each other to survive. There is a feeling you get when you know people care.
What About Your Life Has Become Better Or Easier Since You Started the Senior Mobile Market?
I don’t have to leave the house. It’s such a chore for me. The convenience of the Senior Mobile Market is a great thing for me.
What Things Are Still Challenging?
Believe it or not it’s the little things that you don’t think of that become hard. Since I have arthritis, I can’t open things like cans and jars. I need to have someone come over and open all my food so I can eat it. I also can’t cook at the stove because of my oxygen tank so I have to make what I can in the microwave. I don’t like it at all, but that’s what has to be done to stay safe.
How Would Things Be Different If You Didn't Use the Senior Mobile Market?
I would probably starve to death. No, I do have my daughter to help me, but she is so busy I hate bothering her. She helps me with all my medicine, but she is struggling too now because she owns a restaurant. She does taxes also, so she is really busy. She can’t help all of the time. I only call her if I absolutely need her. In all honesty if this wasn’t here, I would manage but it would be hard.