MIDWEST REGION

FIRST PLACE
HELEN
PETERSON
Living at Home
Block Nurse Program,
Granite Falls, MN

Staying in their homes is important for many elderly individuals, and Helen offers them the opportunity to do just that. She travels to see senior citizens in a nearby community three to four days a week and spends at least two hours with each person, taking him or her to appointments, playing games, going shopping, and assisting with whatever is needed. Helen often brings along homemade goodies or vegetables from her garden as an exciting treat. All of this adds up to better overall health for many of the seniors and delayed nursing home placement, said her nominator, program director Mary Ims. But if someone she helps does move into a nursing home, Helen continues her visits there. She volunteers in the activity department at a local nursing home and serves coffee to residents. The daughter of one of the seniors Helen spends time with stated, “Our mom is so much happier since Helen came into her life. Her life has taken on a whole new meaning.”