"I have a friend," the once lonely Mary exclaimed, the smile in her voice obvious as she talked on the phone with Dave Hoover of the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at the Area Agency on Aging.

Dave matches volunteers with lonely and isolated seniors in their homes through the Friendship Corps. If you have been thinking of volunteering to help others, the Friendship Corps may be just the thing for you.

There are many elders living alone in their homes or apartments who have little contact with others and don't know where or how to get help. Loneliness and isolation have become a way of life. In-Home Friendly Visitors provide companionship as well as information about community resources. Mary told Dave that she and her new friend were going to bake cookies next visit. Sometimes Friendly Visitors engage in games or hobbies, reading or listening to music, or just plain talking and reminiscing.

Jan Noyes is expanding the Friendship Corps to residents of long term care. People in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities can feel lonely and isolated too, even though they are surrounded by others. It's amazing the difference a Friendly Visitor can make to the quality of life of a resident who has lost the joy of living.

When elders move into long term care facilities it's because they can no longer live safely at home. They give up independence, belongings, social ties and activities. The familiarity of home is replaced by unfamiliar surroundings and people, and a different way of living. In long term care parlance it's called culture change.

Feelings of loneliness, loss and isolation can follow. During the settling in process some people make the transition more easily than others. Some thrive and feel safe and begin to participate and interact with other residents. Family and friends come to visit and keep their loved ones involved in family gatherings and community activities. But other residents get mired in sadness and depression. With few or no friends, family or visitors, they lose their joy of living.

Dave and Jan are inviting volunteers to join their teams of Friendly Visitors, whether for in-home, long term care, or both. Dave is also initiating a team to visit returning veterans who can use a friend to help them through difficult times. There is plenty of need to go around and a Friendly Visitor can offer emotional and informational support.

Volunteering is good for you. It is well documented that older volunteers have fewer health issues as they age. Being a Friendly Visitor is a great way to do something good for others and yourself at the same time. Please call or email Dave or Jan if volunteering as a Friendly Visitor is something that feels right for you.

For more information contact: Dave Hoover at 667-3179 ext. 234/[email protected] or Jan Noyes at 667-3179 ext. 227/[email protected]