Addressing a Growing Concern
Loneliness and social isolation are significant public health issues affecting many individuals, particularly the elderly. In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General’s office released a pivotal advisory highlighting the detrimental health risks associated with loneliness. The report noted that social isolation is linked to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, depression, and premature death, identifying older adults as particularly vulnerable.
Introduction of the Community Friendship Volunteer Program
In response to this pressing issue, the Elizabethtown Community Hospital (N.Y.) launched the Community Friendship Volunteer Program in the fall of 2024. In collaboration with Mercy Care for the Adirondacks, this initiative aims to connect seniors with volunteers who can offer companionship and support. Instead of clinical assistance, volunteers focus on providing friendship and helping seniors engage in various activities.
Volunteer Roles and Activities
Volunteers visit seniors in their homes, provide companionship over the phone, and assist with everyday tasks like shopping and correspondence. Together, seniors and volunteers can enjoy outings, music, literature, and crafts, creating meaningful interactions that can enhance quality of life.
Community Support and Free Services
Families, friends, and seniors themselves can request volunteer matches through the program, which offers all services at no cost. Julie Tromblee, the vice president and chief nursing officer at Elizabethtown Community Hospital, emphasized the importance of tackling social isolation, stating that it has serious health implications for seniors.
Complementing Comprehensive Care
The hospital participates in the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative, viewing this volunteer program as an essential complement to healthcare services provided. Tromblee remarked, ‘The AFHS and Community Friendship Volunteer Program help ensure that we are supporting seniors both here at the hospital and in their own home.’
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