According to the U.S. Census Bureau , one in every three seniors in St. Louis lives at, near or below the poverty line, often forced to sacrifice their health because they can’t afford rent, food, utilities and medication at the same time. Throughout the metropolitan area, many people who worked hard all their lives now lead a hand-to-mouth existence, just one medical crisis or accident away from being unable to take care of themselves. Struggling with limited income and often lacking family support, they have nowhere to turn for help.
That’s where Mary Ryder Home steps in. The nonprofit residential care center serves the fastest-growing segment of the elderly population: impoverished senior women who can no longer live independently. “Since 1930, we’ve been committed to providing a safe home, compassionate care and meaningful activities for older women in need,” says executive director Timothy Butler. “Because they have little or no money, their options are few. Many have spent their entire lives in poverty, without access to preventive health care, and they may suffer from chronic conditions or behavioral disorders. We serve more than 80 seniors annually with a secure place to live, protective oversight, nutritious meals, personal and medical care, and programs and services focused on healthy aging and quality of life.”
The Mary Ryder Home staff strives to create an environment in which seniors experience the strong sense of community and social support so crucial to physical and mental well-being, Butler says. “Most people over the age of 65 end up in the hospital for two reasons: missed medications and falls,” he explains. “At Mary Ryder, we take care of residents’ needs 24/7, making sure they’re healthy and safe.” Seniors who are socially isolated, without meaningful relationships and activities, are at increased risk for physical and mental deterioration, and even death, he notes. “We focus on the whole person, keeping residents involved and engaged.” Activities include exercise such as yoga and tai chi, games, movies, art therapy, and a choir.
About 86 percent of the home’s budget comes from rent, state funds and United Way of Greater St. Louis, Butler says. “The rest comes from donors; without community support, we couldn’t continue to care for seniors who need it most.” A Taste of Tuscany, a major fundraiser, takes place March 7 at Edward Jones Atrium. The dinner auction, emceed by Fox 2’s Bonita Cornute, is co-chaired by Mary Ryder Home board president Craig Kaintz and his wife, Rose. “Funds raised will help subsidize the cost of meals, medical care, transportation and activities for the coming year,” Kaintz says. “By participating in the auction, you can make a difference in the lives of the women we serve.”
“Our goal is to make sure seniors stay active physically and mentally, to enrich their lives, and to remind them of their significance in the community,” Butler says. “They are society’s most vulnerable, at-risk members—and they deserve our help.”
Pictured: Timothy Butler, Deb Nash, Jeremy Piquard, Kelly Dolan
Photo: Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton
[A Taste of Tuscany, a dinner and auction benefiting Mary Ryder Home, takes place March 7 at Edward Jones Atrium. Tickets are $100; table sponsorships are available. For tickets and more information, visit maryryderhome.org.]