Connecting With Each Other: The Key to Health & Wellness

Social distancing helped us survive the pandemic. It also taught us how staying connected with loved ones is the very thing that makes survival worthwhile.

Yet even before COVID-19 we faced a health crisis. Few people talked about it, but it was right here – the loneliness epidemic. For many, life feels like it’s getting back to normal, but the large number of lonely, isolated seniors that remain is a crisis that we cannot ignore. Loneliness has physical consequences that can be devastating, especially for seniors. It eclipses obesity and even smoking for premature decline and even death.

Connection is the cure. Research shows that friendships drastically reduce the mortality risks associated with isolation and loneliness. Seniors in Service can help with TelePals! TelePals offer regularly scheduled friendly calls that help reduce isolation so seniors can remain living independently, with dignity. TelePals get background checks and expert training. Participants are carefully matched based on interests, culture and skills, building enduring relationships that help them both. The heartwarming stories tell it best.

Angelina is 83-years-old and lives alone, with no support from family or friends. Her fixed income does not allow her access to technology, internet or even cable TV. For the past year, the fear of COVID-19 has made her feel imprisoned in her own home. Imagine being elderly, alone and scared – cut off from the world. There’s nobody to check up on her to make sure she’s eating. There’s nobody to share her memories with. There’s nobody to tell her there’s someone who cares. The pastor at her church hears about TelePals and encourages his parishioners to enroll. Most are too proud to admit that they’re struggling. But Angelina and Christine, who is also a senior, both volunteer to help. Soon they are chatting by phone regularly. Although they’ve never met, they discover they have a lot in common. It turns out that they both are retired teachers and both love reading the exact same books. When Christine learns about Angelina’s diabetes, she starts asking about her diet and how often she’s getting up to walk around her house. Angelina says having a new friend has changed her life. “She really cares…You got a treasure with her and now she is mine.”

For Jim, TelePals offers a lifeline. As a veteran, he’s conditioned to never ask for help. Doctor visits are one place he finds connection. In the waiting room, he sees a flyer stating: “You’ve Got a Friend!” An invitation to call Seniors in Service. Inexplicably, he makes the call: “I am 70 and I have nobody.” TelePals offers socialization and wellness-checks through telephone reassurance. For some, it’s the only conversation they have all day. Enrollment is easy by phone or www.TelePalNow.org. Kevin, a retired businessman, enrolls to volunteer. As a veteran, he shares a special bond with others who’ve served our country. Kevin shares, “We share experiences from our past and daily lives…We get serious but also laugh a lot…It’s the highlight of my day.”

Intergenerational TelePals Chelsea and Rebecca initially wondered what they would talk about. A USF psychology student, Chelsea learned how isolation affects mental health. She learns about TelePals on USF’s website and volunteers. She’s nervous at first but hearing about Rebecca’s adventures when she was young is fun! During COVID-19, Chelsea ensures Rebecca is social distancing and has everything she needs. She’s poised to alert TelePals staff of any concerns. Their chats helped them both as they navigated the changes brought by the pandemic, together.

The loneliness epidemic is killing our seniors. You have the power to make it better. Reach out and connect! Got an hour? Give an hour! Seniors in Service offers opportunities for TelePals to participate safely and remotely. Know someone who could benefit?

Learn more by visiting www.seniorsinservice.org.
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