Clouds hung heavy over the mountains as a trio of women wound their way through bare winter woods near the Whitefish River. They moved as one unit, heads bent close together as they talked about the weather, upcoming Thanksgiving plans, old friends who they had been meaning to call. The conversation faded as the women walked beneath a tree laden with thick purple berries. 

“There’s robins,” said Melisa Phelps, pointing toward a flash of orange in the branches. 

“Really?” said Joyce Prince. “We used to sit on the porch and watch the robins.” 

The 81-year-old Prince stood still and listened.  

The past six years have been tough on Prince. She left her home of 40 years near Eureka for a small apartment on her daughter’s property after being diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma. The disease attacked her eyesight and robbed her of some of her favorite pastimes — watching wildlife and going for long, rambling walks. 

Phelps and Fran Halpin have been helping her rebuild those treasured hobbies. Every Thursday, one of the women pick Prince up from her apartment and drive her to a walking path near town. They’ll stroll for an hour or two, Prince leaning on one of the younger women for support as her hiking stick taps a steady rhythm on the pavement. Afterwards, they might stop for a ginger-molasses cookie from the bakery or pick up a few fresh vegetables from a farmstand. 

The outings have quickly become a treasured part of Prince’s routine. 

“These two are always a joy to me. I look forward to every Thursday,” she said. “It’s like having a little bit of family around.” 

Prince met Phelps and Halpin through the Whitefish-based nonprofit Shepherd’s Hand. Founded in 1995 as a free medical clinic, the organization shifted focus a few years ago as the need for non-medical caregiving services rose.  

Nearly one-third of all Flathead County residents are 60 years or older, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. That number continues to grow, as does the number of elderly residents with a diagnosed disability. As of 2024, about 3,400 people aged 65 years or older in Flathead County had a diagnosed disability, the most common of which included self-care and ambulatory difficulties.     

“This is like a hidden need because these people are primarily homebound,” said Jennifer Hyatt, the executive director of Shepherd’s Hand. “You don’t see them, and you don’t hear them, so you don’t know.”     

Through Shepherd’s Hand’s NeighborCare Network, Flathead Valley residents aged 60 years or older can request assistance with household chores, minor home repairs and basic errands. Such daily tasks can quickly pose a barrier to elders’ independence, explained Hyatt, especially when friends and family live far away. A weekly or biweekly visit from a volunteer helps elders with minor disabilities maintain independence and quality of life. 

“I think people have trouble asking for help, and people have trouble giving help,” said Katy Krezowski, client care director for Shepherd’s Hand. 

She added that it was particularly hard for many people to ask for help dealing with loneliness and isolation, though research shows those feelings are widespread. About one in three adults aged 50-80 experiences loneliness, according to the most recent data from the National Poll on Healthy Aging. The rate rises to 53% for older adults with poor to fair physical health and caps out at 75% for those that report less than good mental health. 

That’s not surprising, as chronic feelings of loneliness and isolation have been linked to depression and anxiety, as well as physical ailments like cardiovascular disease, hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Loneliness can even increase the risk of developing dementia by 50% in older adults, according to a 2021 study from the United Kingdom's International Centre for Healthcare and Medical Education. 

The NeighborCare Network provides one more way for elderly residents to form meaningful connections, particularly if they have difficulties leaving home. Requests for help with household chores and errands often give way to deeper friendships, like the one forged between Phelps, Halpin and Prince. 

“They want to tell their story,” Krezowski said of the clients she works with. “They want to be heard, but they don’t know how to ask for that.” 

In the past 18 months, the NeighborCare Network has provided about 1,500 services to 65 different clients, ranging from one-time moving assistance or seasonal yardwork to weekly visits. 

The program is currently supported by about 40 volunteers, but Krezowski said that isn’t enough to keep up with demand. New clients often spend up to a year on a waitlist as staff at Shepherd’s Hand search for a volunteer whose interests, skillset and schedules line up. There’s also “a feeling” for whether a volunteer and client will hit it off, said Krezowski. 

She had that feeling when Prince mentioned her fondness for walking. Krezowski knew that her own mother, Melisa Phelps, often hiked with friends, including Fran Halpin. Both women had volunteered with Shepherd’s Hand before and agreed to meet with Prince to see if they were a good match. It’s now a rarity for the trio to go for more than a week without seeing each other. 

For Kresowski, the friendship is proof positive of the NeighborCare Network’s impact. 

“I just hope it’s here when I’m old and I can find a volunteer to come walk with me,” she said with a laugh. 

Reporter Hailey Smalley can be reached at 758-4433 or [email protected].