An estimated 1/3 of seniors over the age of 60 in Forsyth County lack the social interaction that could positively impact their health and well-being. As part of Volunteer Appreciation Week, we’re featuring some of the different ways that our volunteers provide connections for isolated seniors in the community.  Read on to see how you can get involved!

Home Visitor

Home Visit volunteers make weekly connections (2-4/month in the home) that encourage meaningful and consistent engagement that isolated seniors may not have otherwise. These visits foster connectedness with the past through sharing personal history, the present through companionship, and the future through something to look forward to.

Phone Visitor & Wellness Calls

Phone Visit volunteers are matched with one particular senior and connect with that participant by phone, weekly. This provides the isolated senior with relationship and conversation, giving them something to look forward to. 

Wellness call volunteers provide a brief, daily check-in for isolated seniors that may be more at-risk. Here’s what some current volunteers have to say about the program:

“My participants have become “first name” friends.  We have a good time discussing news, weather, and philosophy!”

“Serving as a Wellness Call Volunteer enhances my wellness. Our weekly conversations are a blessing, traveling in both directions on a two way street, ‘connecting hearts, thoughts and experiences.’ At times I ponder; perhaps I should feel guilty, enjoying such positive outcomes!”

  Pet Visitor

Did you know that interaction with a gentle friendly pet can provide significant health benefits, including lowering blood pressure, diminishing overall physical pain, and lessening depression?

Many of our isolated seniors are not able to care for pet companions of their own any longer. Pet visits are provided by volunteers in the community who have friendly pets that are good with people.

Click here to volunteer today!