There are phases in life where we all need a little extra help.

Of course, babies and young children require constant attention, care, and support in order to grow up into healthy and happy adults. This is a difficult task, to say the least, and often takes the support of family and friends, and in certain cases, government resources to do in a way that doesn’t completely overwhelm parental units.

But once we’ve grow up, completed careers, sent kids off into the world on their own journeys, and retire into the last chapters of our lives, that support we received all the way back at the beginning of life becomes important once again.

Many senior citizens rely on their families to provide them with routine, daily care. Others have needs that surpass the abilities and available time of family members, and wind up in assistive care facilities; with varying degrees of happiness as a result. While by and large, the folks who make it their career to care for the elderly do incredibly important, thankless work, and try their best, it is no secret that there is a shortage of people to perform this work compared to the need, and the cost for many families is a barrier that simply cannot be overcome.

Many senior citizens want to remain independent, living lives in homes they have built in an environment that is comfortable and brings them happiness. But doing so, for some, can be dangerous or leave them at risk of being unable to access proper nutrition, medicine, or other needs.

With this reality in mind, we are pleased to learn that The Village Commons of RI is seeking input from Warwick residents about establishing a presence in our city, in order to better support seniors who need a little extra help to get by, but still want to live independently.

The Village Commons is a group of community volunteers who join forces to provide various services to senior citizens living independently. Whether it’s going to the store to pick up some groceries, or a prescription, doing some work around their home, or giving them a lift to the senior center to partake in activities, these little acts of kindness and assistance can make a big difference in the lives of many elderly residents.

Outside of providing assistance for these various needs, this type of work can also provide something equally vital as helping getting a task done – companionship. Isolation and loneliness plagues the senior citizen community, so having a group of civic-minded volunteers around at the ready to provide a kind presence in the life of our local elders seems like a tremendously beneficial idea.

We encourage Warwick residents to respond to an upcoming survey to share ideas about how this group could best operate locally. Check out www.providencevillageri.org for more information.