There is a growing trend toward increased social isolation and loneliness among many Americans. Studies have shown a national increase in social isolation, alongside a decrease in social engagement with family, friends and others, according to a study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
While people of all ages have been affected by this trend, older Americans are among those most affected and dealing with more barriers to reverse this trend. About a third of adults aged 50 to 80 report feeling lonely or isolated — feelings that can have negative impacts on their health and well-being.
For more than 20 years, Crisis Center, Inc., a United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) partner agency, has been combating the negative effects of this phenomenon through its Senior Talk Line program. Senior Talk Line volunteers regularly call more than 70 seniors throughout Central Alabama each week.
Program Coordinator (Caroline) served as a volunteer for seven years before officially joining the team. The phone conversations that volunteers have with their seniors are significant because they are sometimes the only social interaction these people have, Caroline said.
“For some of our seniors, we’re the only ones that are going to wish them a ‘Happy Birthday,’ a ‘Merry Christmas’ or any other kind of holiday greeting,” Caroline said. “We’re the only ones to know about their doctor visits or other important things going on in their lives.”
While people often pay lip service to the idea of learning from older people, Caroline said seniors often go unheard. The bonds that she and other volunteers form with their seniors are powerful, she said. “We become an extended family for a lot of our seniors. Many of them often say, ‘I just think of you as my adopted child’ or other family member. “The biggest impact I think we have simply boils down to listening when others don’t.”
May marks both Older Americans Month and Mental Health Awareness Month. A simple way to support seniors’ mental health, Caroline said, is to check in on the older people in your life.
“If you have someone in your life that’s important, that’s older, keep in mind that they don’t have as many visitors. A lot of their friends have probably passed away, and transportation is harder for them. Getting out of the house is harder for them,” Caroline said. “A simple phone call for them is often more meaningful than it might be for someone younger.”
“If you have an extra five minutes to scroll through Instagram, you have an extra five minutes to check on someone,” she added.
For more information about the Senior Talk Line, including how to sign up to receive calls or become a volunteer, click here.
To learn more about how United Way partners and programs provide Senior Support, click here.