Research shows that older adults in our country experience a higher rate of feeling lonely and experiencing social isolation than younger people. Contributing to this are factors such as the loss of a partner or other loved ones, decreased mobility, worsening vision and hearing, chronic illness, inability to access transportation, and the loss of previous activities such as employment.
On a positive note, according to the University of Michigan’s Michigan Medicine, loneliness and isolation among older adults have returned to pre-pandemic levels; however, on the downside, that equates to just over one third of people aged 50 to 80 feeling lonely and/or socially isolated.
Social isolation and loneliness are not the same things, and they don’t always accompany one another. Social isolation occurs when a person lacks adequate connections to family, friends, or a community. Loneliness is the feeling of being alone. Some people enjoy “alone time” and, although they may be socially isolated, they may not be lonely. On the other hand, people can live with and around others and still experience the feeling of loneliness.
A study by the National Library of Medicine has linked social isolation and loneliness to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions including high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease. Thankfully the most effective fix is an easy one – increased socialization; and YOU can make that happen!
Milestone Senior Services offers a Senior Companionship program which matches volunteers over the age of 55 with seniors in the community who are in need of companionship. Through this program the volunteer and the participant enjoy an ongoing relation which not only provides the isolated participant with companionship but also brings a great level of satisfaction and reward to the volunteer. Augusta, one of our Senior Companion volunteers recently told us, “It’s a two-way street – it doesn’t just help those being served – it helps those providing the service.”
Our Senior Companion volunteers are partnered with one or more participants who may live at home in the community or may reside at one of our partner senior living or nursing facilities. Because this program provides on going one-on-one relationships, a bond is often formed between the volunteer and the participant. For some of the participants, their loneliness is due to physical isolation from others; but others may have people around them, but not someone they feel connected with. By matching older adult volunteers with our participants, they already start off with something in common, and the relationship builds from there. Martha, another Senior Companion volunteer, said, “It just feels good to be needed.”
As an added bonus, some Senior Companion volunteers may qualify for a small stipend to compensate for time and travel expenses. Before getting started, Milestone performs a thorough background check on all volunteers and provides them with training and resource materials. The Senior Companion is a program of Senior AmeriCorps which Milestone facilitates in Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties.
YOU can be the bright spot in someone’s day! We are currently in need of Senior Companion volunteers to meet the need of seniors in need of companionship. This is particularly true in Calhoun County where we currently have a waiting list of participants wanting to connect with a Senior Companion volunteer. If you are interested in being a Senior Companion volunteer, please contact Shellie at 269-380-0515 x127 or visit our Senior Companion webpage.
