About one-third of older adults in the United States live alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
That’s about 14 million people who are in danger of becoming isolated from their communities.
“While my husband is still here, I know how these people feel. I can’t do anything. I have cancer and they still haven’t done surgery. I’m sitting and waiting, but I don’t look at the negative, I look at it that I’m going to beat this one way or another,” Pamela Jensen of St. Joseph shared with me during a phone interview last week.
Pam, 80, has been a Friendly Caller volunteer through Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for about two years now. She started because she had such a positive experience with receiving the calls herself.
Pam has been a client of the MI Choice Waiver program, which provides nursing-home level of care in the home, since 2020. In her working years, Pam was a caregiver for those in need. She would spend her days helping clients with things like laundry, dishes, meal preparation, and any personal care needs that they might have.
As her health deteriorated, Pam was less and less able to provide hands-on care to others. While in the MI Choice Waiver program, feeling limited in her ability to connect with others, Pam was connected to the Friendly Caller program.
“We talk about almost everything: things going on in the area, things she’s involved with, her friends, weather, nothing too personal. She lives in Bridgman; I live in St. Joe. It’s a conversation to get to know one another without ever seeing each other,” Pam said.
She soon realized she too could make a difference in the lives of others by being a Friendly Caller volunteer, and soon enough, she was trained and began making those friendly calls. She was even named “Volunteer of the Year” by AAA in 2022 for her steadfast dedication to being there for others who may also be lonely.
“I wish other people would join and be part of it – people need it,” she said.
One of the clients she calls lives by herself in South Haven.
“Her husband passed away and she decided to keep his cat. She tells me about the cat sleeping with her and eating when she eats,” Pam said. “She has a bit of dementia and has fallen. She goes on walks around her neighborhood but doesn’t have anyone to walk with her.”
Part of the responsibility of a Friendly Caller is to help suggest resources, and in this case, Pam suggested calling the local Senior Center to see if anyone could walk with her.
“One day I called her, and her daughter got on the phone to thank me for suggesting the Senior Center,” she said.
One of Pam’s other clients lives in Sawyer and “complains all the time.”
“But I still have a ball with them anyway. I make them laugh. I can relate to how they’re feeling. They’re elderly like me and don’t have anyone around,” she said.
The Friendly Caller program was born out of the COVID-19 pandemic to curb the isolation faced by seniors.
“Pam has the important job of connecting with others in the community and helping to ensure that they feel valued. And she can do that from the comfort of her home, with a phone call,” Meg Killips, volunteer and senior engagement coordinator, said. “In making those calls, Pam herself finds value and meaning. Volunteerism is a beautiful gift that we can give each other, and Pam continues to be generous in her gift giving.”
When it comes to being connected to Area Agency on Aging, in general, Pam says she’s liked everyone she’s worked with.
“They are all willing to help you, and I would recommend your services to anyone,” she said.
If you’d like to volunteer to be a Friendly Caller, the minimum commitment is one call once a week. Training is provided.
“We have several clients waiting to be assigned to a Friendly Caller, and I’d love to connect them with new volunteers eager to make a difference,” Killips said.
For more information, or to express interest in becoming a volunteer, call 269-983-7058 or visit https://areaagencyonaging.org/volunteer-opportunities/.
For more information about the MI Choice Waiver program, call 800-654-2810 or visit https://areaagencyonaging.org/mi-choice/
Alexandra Newman is the communications and outreach coordinator for the Region IV Area Agency on Aging in Southwest Michigan. Interested in having an AAA representative speak to your group or organization? Email alexandranewman@areaagencyonaging.org. Questions on age or independence services?
Call the Info-Line for Aging & Disability at 800-654-2810. The Generations column appears each weekend in The Herald-Palladium.