RSVP field representative Lindsey returns to job after retirement

It seems that retirement was not all that it was chalked up to be for Jan Lindsey.

After 10 months of leisure time, the former Retired Senior Volunteer Program field representative said she’s decided to return to her former position after doing some traveling and creating artwork.

She has headed the agency for more than nine years.

“I decided to retire because I thought I could, but I was invited to come back to RSVP because I am not a retiree,” she said.

The timing of Lindsey’s return was fortuitous, as the agency recently received a much-needed financial shot in the arm.

“We received a very generous donation from the good folks at DaVita Dialysis here in Pahrump,” she said. “It was a total surprise to us. Victoria Dykstra entered our name for a $2,000 donation and we were chosen. I have worked with Victoria in the past, coordinating transportation for some of their clients who could no longer drive because after dialysis, a person’s energy level goes way down, so people need a ride specifically back to their home.”

“They are a very much-needed resource for our community and many people are not even aware of their existence,” said Facility Administrator Dykstra. “DaVita Way of Giving is our annual giving campaign that started in 2010. Once a year, usually in late fall, our teammates are given the opportunity to choose a local nonprofit to receive a charitable contribution.”

RSVP provides numerous services for area seniors, includeing providing respite for caregivers, along with transportation and cleaning services for senior clients. For the respite program, a volunteer goes into a home and stays with the client while the primary caregiver takes a much-needed break.

“It’s a beautiful program and very popular among our clients,” Lindsey said. “It’s usually four to five hours once or twice a week and it gives the caregiver a chance to take care of personal business or go have lunch with friends. It mainly provides leisure time for the caregivers. Our transportation program is geared to get people to their medical appointments primarily. When we have enough drivers, we can also take people shopping and get them out to engage in some social activities.”

Additionally, Lindsey noted RSVP’s Homemaker Program, where volunteers become independent contractors.

“They go to a client’s home and do some basic house cleaning,” Lindsey said. “That program is topped out most of the time because it is a very wonderful service. We have a lot of senior folks who are not able to do their own house cleaning and laundry. They need a helping hand for surviving, so it’s a very, very valuable service.”

At present, RSVP provides services to roughly 60 area seniors.

Lindsey said she’s always seeking additional volunteers for the programs.

“In order to provide services for these good folks, we rely on the generous efforts of our volunteers,” she said. “We have wonderful volunteers who have been with us for many years and we need more volunteer drivers, especially for the transportation program. We provide a small stipend as a thank you to our volunteers to do the transports. In order to be a volunteer driver, they need a clean driving record and we also perform background checks on everyone.”

RSVP is funded by the state of Nevada and local agencies.

Though there are no charges for the services provided, some clients donate to the program.

To learn more about the RSVP program or volunteer positions, call Lindsey 775-751-5282.

Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes. On Twitter: @pvtimes