BOTHELL — Arlette Trout traveled the world. She loved to fly planes. And she enjoyed skiing whenever she could.
So when she suffered a stroke that brought her active lifestyle to an abrupt halt, Trout, 79, fell into a deep depression that seemed nearly impossible to escape.
That is, until Karen Shultz came along.
Shultz, 64, a volunteer senior peer counselor from Snohomish County Senior Services, has become a confidant, but perhaps more importantly she has become something Trout needed most: a friend.
Sitting in Trout’s living room, you would think they had known each other for five years, rather than five months.
“The stroke has been a bummer. Sometimes I get cranky, but I’m very lucky,” Trout said. “We laugh a lot together. She makes me laugh.”
Shultz volunteers an hour or more each week in Trout’s home, often getting caught up in conversation or projects, such as Christmas shopping.
The senior peer counseling program requires 40 hours of training before a volunteer can be matched with a client, and even then the training is continual.
“This has been very helpful, very rewarding for me,” Shultz said. “Meeting and spending time with Arlette has been great. She’s the best.”
Their friendship blossomed immediately from their first visit, each talking about their likes and dislikes, what makes them happy or sad, establishing a rapport for future conversations. According to program manager Kamilia Dunsky, pairing the volunteers with their clients is a meticulous process that is needed to produce such positive results.
“It really is an art form to match people up, and it is exciting how well it can work,” Dunsky said. “Volunteers come and go, but they find it gratifying.”
In 2007, the senior peer volunteer program served 51 clients with 30 volunteers. Volunteers must be 55 years of age or older and pass a screening process.
“When people are depressed or overwhelmed, making choices is tough,” Dunsky said. “The volunteers are there to help make choices that improve conditions for people.”
Trout, who still suffers from the effects of the stroke, said that sometimes what she really needed from Shultz was the proverbial “hit upside the head.”
Sitting in her comfortable chair, Trout chatted amiably about the weather with Shultz — a testament to not only the success of the program but also personal strength.
Shultz is good company, someone who listens and enjoys the conversation rather than counting the minutes until she can leave.
“When we are not visiting, I miss her,” Shultz said. “I am not looking forward to the time when I won’t be able to see her.”
Reporter Justin Arnold: 425-339-3432 or jarnold@heraldnet.com.
Volunteers needed
The Senior Peer Counseling program of Senior Services of Snohomish County is looking for volunteers, aged 55 and older, to provide individual counseling to senior who are isolated or having trouble coping with transitions.
No counseling experience is necessary, and training, supervision and mileage are provided.
For more information, call Ruth Holsinger at 425-290-1252 or e-mail rholsinger@sssc.org.
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