Education is also important, increasing awareness of depression. Hopefully this support group will be something that can help people, she said. For elderly people with few resources, support systems can be very important. There are usually only two main places where they can get that support. Family and church are the main support systems for most of the elderly, Rudkin said.
Religion is extremely important for many senior citizens.
For an elderly person with medical problems, diet can be more important than social interaction in terms of overall health. Her diet consists mostly of pinto beans, bologna, tuna fish, and cereal, she said. There is a Meals on Wheels Program run by the Valley Program for the Aging. People who have trouble making food for themselves or are home bound usually qualify, Rudkin said. The program delivers a lunch meal to people five days a week.