Pau Hana

Going the extra mile

Na Hoaloha offers free rides, companionship for Maui’s elderly

Florence Gapsis's passenger seat is rarely empty. Several times a month, she hops in her car and picks up residents bound for destinations like Costco, the doctor's office or the Veterans Affairs clinic. She patiently waits while her passengers complete their errands and then takes them home, all the while engaging them in friendly conversation.

Gapsis doesn't work for a ride-share company. She's a volunteer driver for Na Hoaloha, a Wailuku-headquartered nonprofit that pairs volunteers with seniors or people with disabilities who need assistance with daily tasks -- or just a friend to talk to.

"Often when I'm driving, it means that (the passengers') family members can stay at their jobs and not take time off," she said. "This is a good additional benefit for the family."

Gapsis moved to Maui in the fall of 2010, and not long after settling in, started looking for ways to give back to her new community.

"I wanted to do something constructive and positive," she said.

One day, she spotted an article about Na Hoaloha in the newspaper and decided it was a perfect fit. Since then, she's given rides -- sometimes up to 10 times per month -- to Na Hoaloha clients.

"I enjoy meeting the people, hearing their stories and seeing different areas of the island," Gapsis said. "I have gotten great history lessons from some of my riders about life in the past here on Maui."

Na Hoaloha ("loving friends") was founded in 1995 by Sister Roselani Enomoto, who rallied several faith-based groups to help Maui's seniors remain independent and out of long-term institutional care. When the organization first opened its doors, it had 57 clients and 35 volunteers on its roster. Today, there are 387 active volunteers who lend a helping hand and compassionate heart to 1,317 clients on Maui, Molokai and Lanai -- at no cost to the client.

All services are provided entirely by volunteers. They include a friendly visitor program (a volunteer visits and spends time with a client on a regular basis) and a door-to-door escort transportation program. There's also a telephone reassurance program; volunteers call once or twice a day to check in, offer medication reminders or just chat for a while.

All three programs offer something many of us take for granted: companionship. For many homebound seniors, a visitor, phone call or simple trip to the grocery store can be a bright spot in their day -- and can improve their quality of life immeasurably. Studies by the National Institute on Aging show that social isolation and loneliness are especially debilitating to older adults and can lead to serious health problems like cognitive decline, depression and heart disease.

According to the state Department of Health, falls are the leading cause of injury among Hawaii residents ages 65 and older. With that in mind, Na Hoaloha recently added a falls prevention volunteer program, which deploys volunteers to communities to help residents identify factors that contribute to falls. The nonprofit also has an in-home respite program, which gives round-the-clock caregivers much-needed intervals of rest.

"It gives these unsung heroes a few hours off the clock to go get something done of their own choosing," Gapsis said.

Na Hoaloha's overarching goal is to help Maui County's elders stay engaged, live independently and remain at home as long as possible. Volunteers and clients are carefully matched according to geography, personality and shared interests. As for who enjoys it more -- the client or the volunteer -- well, sometimes it's hard to tell.

Without question, dedicated volunteers like Gapsis are the backbone of the organization. Last year, she was honored alongside 17 others during the nonprofit's annual volunteer recognition luncheon. She encourages others to consider joining the nonprofit's volunteer roster and says it's rewarding beyond measure.

"Do not hesitate -- jump right in. You are about to meet a new friend, do a good deed and have some fun in the process," she said. "With an aging demographic ahead of us, this is something we should all embrace. Like the song says: 'We can all get by with a little help from our friends.' "

For more information about Na Hoaloha or to inquire about donor or volunteer opportunities, visit www.nahoaloha.org or call 249-2545.