Woman with health problems needs assistance

Mrs. R is a 95-year-old woman who continues to live alone but needs some assistance due to health problems.

She has severe arthritis, and her eyesight is failing. A daughter lives in the area, but she cannot lend much financial support or help to her mother since she's working to pay her own bills.

Programs like Christmas for the Elderly can help people like Mrs. R who need some financial assistance and household extras. The program is a joint effort of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian.

The Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center, Missouri Division of Senior Services and Hoover Eldercare Center refer clients to the program, which relies on donations from the community.

Gifts like household cleaning supplies, paper goods, nutritional-supplement drinks like Ensure, toiletries and towels are distributed to many of the clients.

Mrs. R has requested some gray or brown elastic-waist slacks in size 18 to 20. She also could use some black or dark markers and pens for writing. Since her eyesight is poor, she only can see the dark, thick lines on a page.

Gifts like sheets and blankets for both twin and full-size beds, bath towels and dish cloths, pajamas, slippers and sweat suits also make good gifts. Donations and gift certificates to pharmacies and discount stores also are needed.

The Southeast Missourian will collect gifts for Christmas for the Elderly at its Cape Girardeau and Jackson offices.

Tax-deductible donations may be mailed to Christmas for the Elderly, P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0004.