It’s the season of kisses, chocolates and flowers. But Valentine’s week is not so rosy for some seniors — especially those who are widowed or living alone.

  • Visiting Angels provides in-home care for seniors
  • Group says 80 percent of seniors feel depressed this time of year
  • Group put together baskets to lift spirits for Valentine's Day

So we ventured out for a "feel good" story with the help of the Visiting Angels, which provides in-home senior care for more than 400 people across Central Florida.

Carl Liedtke, 88, is a client. His wife died about five years ago, and he has been living alone in his Maitland home ever since.

The Visiting Angels have been putting together "Blossoms of Love" baskets this week to help lift the spirits of seniors who may be feeling down in the dumps.

Our cameras were there when Visiting Angels Director Peg Pickett teamed up with Liedtke's daytime caregiver to surprise him with an important question: "Will you be my valentine?"

Liedtke made his way down the stairs after hearing us walk in. As soon as he saw Peg, who was holding a bouquet of flowers, he stopped in his tracks.

"Well heavens to Betsy!" a startled Liedtke said, smiling.

"I've come to ask you if you'll be my valentine?" Pickett asked.

"I hope so," he responded, giving her a big kiss. "For my sake!"

Visiting Angels says more than 80 percent of seniors feel depressed this time of year.

"The holidays were here and now they're gone and they know it's going to be another year before they see their families," Pickett said.

"Valentine's Day - that's a very personal thing," Liedtke told us, as we visited for a while in his living room. "When the Visiting Angels come and give you that feeling again, it's really terrific."

Liedtke said that he works on staying upbeat and offered this advice to others.

"As you get older, you don't want to wallow in self-pity," he said. "Just think that your partner's at your side - or what you did with her - laugh and think of something that you guys did that was really funny. It makes the day go well and you sleep better at night. That's the kind of life you should lead when you get older."

So what is he going to do now that he has a valentine?

"It's up to my valentine," he said, laughing. "Her command is my wish. Whatever she says, (we) do."