By the third week of the stay at home order, 66-year-old Saundra was overwhelmed with loneliness, isolation and was growing desperate. A survivor of abuse with PTSD, and still grieving from losing her daughter last year, Saundra’s usual systems of coping were no longer available and she was feeling panicked.
As the days grew into weeks, thoughts of despair and loneliness grew. Saundra knew she needed help. Not knowing who to turn to, she called Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow’s office to find out how to get help. One of the referrals Senator Stabenow’s office provided Saundra was to Area Agency on Aging’s new Friendly Caller Program.
This program began in April of 2020 to serve any senior in Berrien, Cass, or Van Buren County who is in need of friendly person to talk to while sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. During these calls Area Agency on Aging staff members and trained volunteers provide reassurance, help connect seniors to Region IV Area Agency on Aging’s Information and Access line to get information regarding services they may need, and mostly, make sure they are not feeling lonely, scared, or isolated.
Through the Friendly Caller program, Saundra has grown less lonely and fearful with each call. Her family notices too. Saundra’s conversations with her grand-daughter have started to take on a positive tone because Saundra says she doesn’t feel as sad, lonely and scared. Saundra feels good enough to talk about upbeat things instead of the fear she was feeling about the Coronavirus. Saundra and her grand-daughter even had a social distancing picnic on one of the recent nice warm days. They put blankets a little over six feet away from each other in her front yard and ate lunch. Next week she gets to see her new grand-daughter through a recently planned ‘window-visit’.
Saundra’s family has noticed that she has changed her outlook this month and instead of feeling down, and thinking she was all alone, their conversations are about the future and what they are going to do once they can be together again.
“This phone line is the reason I am doing better,” Saundra told Amy, the AAA staffer that calls to talk to her. “It has been such a big help. Thank you so much!”
If you know a senior who is alone, feeling lonely and isolated, or could just use someone to check-in now that their regular ways to socialize and connect with people are on hold, have them call (269) 408-4332 to speak to an Area Agency on Aging staff member. For more information on Area Agency on Aging Region IV visit www.areaagencyonaging.com.