Several years ago The Homestead made a decision to do more than donate a room or a round of golf to a worthy cause. We decided to make a commitment to a one local non-profit organization that was having an impact on the Leelanau County community. We chose ShareCare of Leelanau.
Today The Homestead hosted the annual golf outing on the Mountain Flowers Par 3 golf course with all proceeds going to ShareCare of Leelanau. After a morning thunderstorm cleared out, the weather was perfect. There were no clouds in the sky and the air was warm but not hot. Only one group cancelled their tee time due to the early-morning weather. Everyone else had a great time golfing up and down the dune elevations and enjoying the fantastic views of the Manitou Islands, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Lake Michigan.
ShareCare was founded in the early 1990’s by three retirees who saw the needs of other seniors in the area. They observed that senior citizens were being forced to leave their homes because they could no longer manage simple tasks such as changing a light bulb, moving a potted plant, getting to a doctor’s appointment, or picking up a prescription. Leelanau has a large population of retirees who do not have children or grandchildren in the area to help with these simple needs.
The founders decided that seniors could help other seniors with these tasks and thereby keep people in their homes for as long as possible. They created an organization of dues-paying members who in turn receive comprehensive, affordable assisted living services in their homes. ShareCare has two employees, an office manager and a nurse, all others are volunteers.
Each new member receives a free, in-home visit by a registered nurse who completes an assessment and then provides health care coordination. Volunteers serve as “friendly visitors” to homebound members. ShareCare also provides occasional respite for family members who are acting as caregivers. Household help, handymen, and even contractors are available at a low cost. Durable medical equipment such as canes and walkers are available to borrow. To encourage camaraderie and fun, neighborhood gatherings are organized periodically.
At the time of this blog posting there are still tee times available this afternoon and evening. Call 231-334-5555 for tee times and let the fun begin. Special thanks to all the hole sponsors and prize donors.
