- April 17, 2024
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Sometimes, a phone call can make a world of difference.
Through ElderSource's Caring Connections Telephone Reassurance Program, seniors who are homebound or living alone are able to receive a friendly phone call from a volunteer to liven up their spirits. With the aim to reduce feelings of isolation, loneliness, cognitive decline, depression and anxiety, the volunteers reach out to these seniors on a regular basis and chat about a variety of different topics — their family, the weather, what's their watching on TV.
That's the approach volunteer Daniel Malone takes.
He first got involved in the program about six months ago when his wife was looking for volunteer programs in the area. As Palm Coast snowbirds, they thought the flexibility offered by the program was well-suited for them. Plus, based on his own life experiences, Malone could relate to the clients.
“I know what it’s like to be alone," Malone said. "It’s a very painful place, and I’ve learned to do the opposite of that and share my experience, strength and hope and that feels really good.”
ElderSource, an area agency on aging and the aging and disability resource center for Northeast Florida based out of Jacksonville, launched Caring Connections at the end of 2020. Chief Executive Officer Linda Levin said that, even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic which has resulted in many seniors experiencing isolation, they had heard older adults express feelings of loneliness and feeling a disconnect with their families and community. The pandemic simply shed a spotlight on the issue, and Caring Connections is their effort to address that need.
“The phone is an easy way to do that," Levin said. "It’s low-tech, you don’t need a computer or smartphone even. It’s just a very informal, nonthreatening, friendly way to connect.”
It makes the seniors feel like someone cares and is reaching out, she added. Some of their clients have even gone on to become volunteers of the programs themselves after seeing how it made a positive impact in their lives.
So far, ElderSource has 40 volunteers for its Caring Connections program, though Levin said many more are needed. Each volunteer typically only calls one client, with a maximum of three. The program has a waiting list, and with more volunteers, especially those who are bilingual, ElderSource can continue to help more people in this respect.
An ideal volunteer, according to Levin, is one who is patient, listens well and likes conversation. And above all, they must be someone who doesn't mind speaking on the phone.
Humans are social beings, Levin said. Caring Connections helps to fill the social gap isolated seniors experience.
“It’s lifesaving really," Levin said. "You don’t realize that, but isolation and loneliness could be deadly.”
Malone said it is a very rewarding experience to take part in the program.
Decades ago, he was the one in need of companionship. Having grown up in a dysfunctional family, Malone said his life took a wrong direction over 40 years ago when he was suffering from alcoholism and got into a couple of car crashes. The first was a motorcycle crash that resulted in him being in a body cast for a year and a half; the second blinded him.
He spent about a decade after that accident dealing with loneliness, but eventually, was able to restructure his life. He even was able to obtain his dream job of teaching both the visually impaired and sighted to learn how to use computers at the Center for the Visually Impaired.
He doesn't usually share his story, or the fact that he's blind, with the clients unless he's asked. Instead, he focuses on stories involving his dog, his children and his grandchildren — stories that will uplift. It's a wonderful feeling to stay connected, Malone added.
“In fact, I feel like it’s not fair because the more I share, the more I’m lifted up," Malone said.
To learn more about Caring Connections, or to volunteer, visit myeldersource.org/caring-connections/
