October - December 2018

www.servingourseniors.org 23 G ary C. y ontz , S r . LUTCF, CLTC Investment Advisor Representative 310 E. Boalt Street Unit D, Sandusky, Ohio 44870 • 419-626-1765 ext. 101 Long Term Care Insurance • Life Insurance • Individual and Group Health Insurance Medicare Supplements • Annuities • Our Agency has served the area for over 40 years Registered Representative/Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Signator Investors, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisors. 6500 Busch Blvd, Ste. 105, Columbus, OH 43229, 614-846-6000, Offering John Hancock Insurance products 134-20101118-63234 Signature Financial Group, LLC The best predictor for successful aging is the quality of a person’s supportive friendships. This summer we initiated a social experiment on successful aging, with funding from the Erie County Community Foundation and the Dorn Foundation. Libby Grant, a summer intern from Xavier University, joined Serving Our Seniors in May. Her primary task was to launch the program to help people, age 60+, form new friendships based on mutual support. Participants were asked to help their new friends when needed, and what was harder for many people--to be willing to ask for help when they were the ones in need. Co-worker, Chloe Browne, came up with the idea to name the program, “Flock Together,” as in “Birds of a feather, flock together.” Libby loved the suggestion and used it as she recruited a group of 20 participants who attended various Flock Together activities. The get-togethers fostered conversations about common interests, concerns, and needs. Friendships began to take root. One person invited another for dinner, and the other offered to help with her garden. Two new friends decided to take walks together, when one mentioned she didn’t like walking alone. The group understood that Flock Together was about supportive friendships with a mutually beneficial exchange. Maggie moved back to Ohio after many years. She joined Flock Together to meet new friends and she was intrigued by the concept. Having a friend to drive with her to a medical procedure, should the need arise, would help her maintain her independence. When she met Karen, they learned they have a lot in common and have since done several things together. Now that Libby has returned to college, it is up to The Flock to sustain their friendships and expand the group. Serving Our Seniors will provide limited support. If you are interested in joining Flock Together, call Sue Daugherty at 419-624-1856. As a safety precaution, new members must agree to a voluntary confidential background check. Birds of a Feather Flock Together L-R: Maggie and Karen take a ride.