Senior Friendship Centers tackle loneliness in Southwest Florida’s pandemic

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Senior Friendship Centers | Florida

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Mar 01, 2023

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Florida - Sarasota, Bradenton & Charlotte Counties , Florida - Southwest

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For older adults, loneliness and despair are side effects of COVID-19.

Carol Tapp of Sarasota lives alone and suffers from COPD, arthritis and fibromyalgia. As the pandemic raged on through the summer, Carol watched the food in her pantry slowly disappear, until she was down to scraps. She didn’t have anyone to talk to and didn’t know where to turn.

Carol’s situation is echoed by thousands of older adults in our area who are homebound, a situation that has become even more dire during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Sarasota County alone, more than 40,000 seniors, or about 23% of the population, live alone.

Fortunately, Carol contacted the Senior Friendship Centers’ Friendship at Home program and was assigned a friendly visitor who helped her with grocery shopping and provided conversation and company. This global health crisis has shone a light on an issue that Senior Friendship Centers has undertaken since we were founded in 1973 – senior loneliness is a public health epidemic.

Research published by Brigham Young University reveals that social isolation is more lethal than smoking 15 cigarettes a day. In fact, loneliness is associated with significantly higher rates of heart disease and stroke and a 50% increased risk of dementia, according to a recent report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Lonely or isolated older adults report a greater incidence of depression and anxiety and suffer a mortality rate comparable to that linked to smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol and physical inactivity.

When the coronavirus outbreak forced Senior Friendship Centers to close its doors in March, seniors in our programs were left bereft of their usual social opportunities, lectures, classes, exercise programs, and regular medical/dental care.  Fortunately, more than 100 volunteers stepped up to help with the distribution of essential supplies and food, to make reassurance calls, deliver groceries, provide telehealth, lead and participate in virtual support groups and activities, and more.

And as the world spun with closures and shutdowns, SFC mobilized – recognizing that our most vulnerable population would need our help more than ever. More than 120,000 nutritious meals have been served through our home-delivered meals program so far this year – a 454% increase over the same timeframe last year.

We are already seeing seniors’ mental health needs on the rise and are offering supportive programming. Our program outcomes consistently show participants feel stronger, more resilient, and more optimistic about their future.

The founder of Senior Friendship Centers, Brother Geenen, famously said that “isolation and loneliness are the malnutrition of the elderly.” Now, loneliness is not just a concept faced by “others.” As a result of social distancing, we’ve all experienced some form of isolation and the devastating effects that it can have on our minds, health and wellbeing.

We are all on this journey of aging, and if you’d like to be a part of the solution for seniors in Southwest Florida, visit friendshipcenters.org(opens in new window).

Erin McLeod is president & CEO of Senior Friendship Centers Inc.

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Senior Friendship Center

Support Groups & Services 1888 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota, Florida, 34236

People Helping People is at the Heart of our MissionOur Success is Built on a Network of VolunteersSince 1973, Senior Friendship Centers volunteers have worked more than 1.7 million hours, with an in-kind value of over $49 million. Our volunteers are greeters, teachers, instructors, servers, technology experts, musicians, friendly visitors for the homebound, and more. They affirm our belief that when people give part of themselves to help others, they set in motion a continuum of compassion that extends beyond ourselves, to our neighbors, our community, and the world.How Do You Become a Volunteer at Senior Friendship Centers?A volunteer application can either be completed online or printed and then dropped off/mailed in. After the application has been received, you will have an opportunity to learn about current organizational needs and opportunities before selecting the area that most appeals to you. Please choose one of the following ways to fill out the form.

Senior Friendship Centers

Adult Day Services 1888 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota, Florida, 34236

Senior Friendship Centers is a nonprofit organization that operates a network of centers across Southwest Florida, catering to the needs of individuals aged 50 and older. With locations in Sarasota, Charlotte, DeSoto, Lee, and Collier Counties, Senior Friendship Centers offers a variety of services and programs designed to enhance the health, well-being, and social engagement of older adults.Program areas provided by Senior Friendship Centers include:Senior Activity Centers: Offering a range of recreational and social activities to promote physical and mental well-being.Adult Day Services: Providing daytime care and support for older adults, including those with cognitive or physical impairments, while offering respite for caregivers.Caregiver Support: Offering resources, education, and assistance to individuals caring for aging family members or loved ones.Nutrition & Dining: Providing nutritious meals and dining opportunities for seniors to support their overall health and well-being.Lifelong Learning: Offering educational and enrichment programs to promote continued learning and personal growth among older adults.Resources for Aging: Providing information, referrals, and support services to help seniors navigate various aspects of aging and community resources.With multiple locations and a range of services tailored to the diverse needs of older adults, Senior Friendship Centers serves as a vital resource for seniors and their families in Southwest Florida.

Senior Friendship Center

Volunteer Opportunities 1888 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota, Florida, 34236

People Helping People is at the Heart of our MissionOur Success is Built on a Network of VolunteersSince 1973, Senior Friendship Centers volunteers have worked more than 1.7 million hours, with an in-kind value of over $49 million. Our volunteers are greeters, teachers, instructors, servers, technology experts, musicians, friendly visitors for the homebound, and more. They affirm our belief that when people give part of themselves to help others, they set in motion a continuum of compassion that extends beyond ourselves, to our neighbors, our community, and the world.How Do You Become a Volunteer at Senior Friendship Centers?A volunteer application can either be completed online or printed and then dropped off/mailed in. After the application has been received, you will have an opportunity to learn about current organizational needs and opportunities before selecting the area that most appeals to you. Please choose one of the following ways to fill out the form.