ElderFriends Volunteers Offer Companionship

Wei-Jean Garland, ElderFriends Volunteer

For the past ten years, the Seattle-based volunteer organization ElderFriends has matched local volunteers with elders in need. Funded by the United Way and the King County government, ElderFriends is an outreach project of ElderHealth Northwest. ElderFriends matches adult volunteers with isolated or home-bound elders for friendly visits. Elders are referred to the program by social workers and family members.

“ElderFriends is always seeking volunteers to provide companionship to otherwise isolated and lonely elders,” says ElderFriends Director Ginger Seybold. “We’re especially seeking volunteers in South Seattle and South King County.”

Since its founding, ElderFriends has matched over 600 elders with volunteers. Just last year, ElderFriends volunteers made over 2,000 visits to elders, totaling some 3,800 hours. Volunteers typically visit their elders twice per month. In addition to offering companionship, volunteers make note of the elder’s needs and help them access appropriate public services. Volunteers must pass a background check, two character references, and attend training.

“Many elders in the area live alone and have few or no local family members. They have limited contact with the outside world and are often quite lonely,” says Kathi Church of the City of Seattle’s Aging and Disability Services, a service that regularly refers elders to ElderFriends. “I’ve seen dramatic, positive changes in some elders after they’ve participated in ElderFriends. They feel important and appreciated. They have something to look forward to.”

The value of each ElderFriends relationship goes far beyond companionship, as volunteers frequently look after the health of their elders. This past summer, when temperatures in Seattle soared dangerously high, ElderFriends volunteers made special visits to ensure that their elders did not suffer in the heat. In one case, a visit resulted in a life-saving intervention.

ElderFriends relationships not only benefit the elders, but enrich the lives of the volunteers

“It’s been such a blessing for our family to help someone else and to think of someone else’s needs,” says ElderFriends volunteer and Seattle resident Marcy Brighton. “It’s so eye-opening to hear a different perspective on life, from someone with a different appreciation of life. It’s been great for my kids.”

Ginger Seybold emphasizes both the need for new volunteers, especially those over age 40, as well as the need for individual donations. In addition to connecting elders with volunteer companions, ElderFriends also delivers Thanksgiving meals in a joint effort with the Millionaire Club and sponsors seasonal gatherings for participants, funded by private donations.

“We operate on the principle that the simple delights of human interaction are just as important to an isolated elder’s well-being as regular medical care,” says Seybold. “We are always in search of new volunteers of all ages.”

To volunteer for ElderFriends or to refer someone who needs companionship, please visit the newly updated  ElderFriends website  or call 206.224.3790.