After decades of being with your person, some senior residents at local centers like The Watermark at Bellingham struggle with Valentine’s Day, especially if they no longer have their special someone to celebrate with, writes Matteo Iadonidi for 6ABC.

World War II Army veteran Karl Dinkelacker, a resident at the West Chester facility, was one of those who received surprise Valentine’s Day gifts thanks to the care of Laura Albany and others with the Senior Helpers organization.

Albany described that Senior Helpers aids seniors with non-medical related tasks like companionship, dressing, bathing, and making sure they feel loved when they need it most.

“One day they were taking care of me, the next I was taking care of them,” said Albany of her own grandparents, naming one of the reasons why giving love back to seniors is of utmost importance.

The organization collected over 600 Valentine’s Day cards from schools around Chester County to give to residents like 98-year-old Dinkelacker. Dinkelacker has been with Senior Helpers for quite some time after he lost his Valentine of seven decades, his wife Carolyn.

“We had seventy years of love and laughter,” he said. “And I know she’s looking down, that’s for sure. We’ll be together one of these days.”

Read more about how Karl Dinkelacker was able to celebrate Valentine’s Day at 6ABC.

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