As the holiday season quickly approaches, we need to remind ourselves of what is truly important at this time of year. Enjoying time together with family and friends is what we value most. Sadly, many people do not have the warmth of family and friends to keep them connected and content. For some seniors, isolation is a great risk particularly for those who live alone and have little interaction within their community. This is precisely the reason why volunteer activities like friendly visiting play such a vital role in the lives of seniors.
St. Paul’s L’Amoreaux Centre’s Friendly Visiting Social Tea was held Saturday, November 29, 2008. 81 people, made up of volunteers, caregivers, students and clients, attended the annual event that brings volunteers together with their clients for a chance to socialize and say thank you. Activities included sharing stories, student and cultural dance performances, caroling and refreshments. Friendly Visiting Coordinator, Beryl Wang, explains that friendly visiting improves the quality of life for many seniors. Wang explains such services “create a sense of belonging in the community where we live and work.”
Friendly Visiting is an essential service that offers outreach to home-bound seniors who don’t have consistent support networks. The dedication of students, working professionals, and retirees goes a long way in reaching out to isolated seniors and keeping them connected to their community. Friendly visiting increases socialization and facilitates emotional, social and spiritual fulfillment. The primary purpose is human companionship. Friendly Visitors spend time on a regular basis with seniors that may encompass going for walks, writing a letter, playing games, reading, or simply enjoying a conversation. Another positive aspect of friendly visiting is that over the years, many deep and abiding friendships have grown out of this program.
For Jeannette Brown, the experience of being a friendly visitor has been incredibly rewarding. Brown has been a friendly visitor for 12 years and visits terminally ill patients. Brown says, “visiting is very important to me as I’ve learned compassion and developed a stronger sense of faith.”
In 2008, St. Paul’s Friendly Visiting department provided support to nearly 200 seniors in the neighborhood including visiting, shopping, escorts and telephone reassurance. Volunteers reached 9,700 hours of service. The need for friendly visiting services is growing too. According to Statistics Canada, Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) account for 13.7% of the population of Canada. Moreover, the number of individuals aged 80 and over topped the 1 million mark in 2006. The aging population will need more social supports in order to maintain healthy living and overall wellbeing.
Social networks shrink over time making it more difficult to maintain relationships, social interaction and preserve seniors’ independence. Friendly visiting is an incredibly rewarding experience for both the volunteer and the senior.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to make a real difference in someone’s life and establish a lifelong friendship, or if you need a friendly visitor, contact St. Paul’s L’Amoreaux Centre at 416-493-3333.
