MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Little Brothers – Buddies of the Aged (LBFE) right this moment is saying it obtained a $125,000 grant from Allianz Life Insurance coverage Firm of North America (Allianz Life) to assist the group’s Elder Buddies Cellphone Companions program, which matches elders with background-checked volunteers able to share on-going friendships by cellphone through the COVID-19 pandemic and past.
The grant is a part of Allianz Life’s $1 million senior companies grant to handle long-term disparities in senior care and assist in the Twin Cities, and fight the dangers being confronted by seniors in our group. These are exacerbated by COVID-19 – significantly amongst numerous seniors. This system will concentrate on three essential dangers: combating social isolation, preventing elder monetary abuse, and enhancing caregiver assist. “Allianz Life’s grant to LBFE is an excellent demonstration of confidence in our group and our Cellphone Companions program,” mentioned James Falvey, LBFE government director. “It’s enabling us to achieve extra socially remoted and lonely older adults with the facility of friendship throughout this disturbing time.”
LBFE launched Elder Buddies Cellphone Companions statewide in April 2020 following the COVID-19 social restrictions and group lockdowns to guard older adults from the virus. This system was designed to rapidly pair volunteers and older adults and is free and open to anybody in Minnesota feeling significantly alone and remoted throughout this pandemic. Registering is easy, both by e-mail, on-line, or by cellphone. Each volunteer Cellphone Companion has efficiently accomplished a background verify, and solely important info is exchanged.
“As this pandemic persists, so does the chance of social isolation for older adults locked behind the doorways of nursing houses, assisted dwelling facilities, public housing, and single-family houses,” Falvey mentioned. “This Allianz Life grant will assist LBFE attain handed the locked doorways and throughout the bodily distance to deliver consolation and companionship by our Elder Buddies Cellphone Companions program.”
The Cellphone Companions program has grow to be a significant hyperlink for older adults feeling extra remoted through the COVID-19 pandemic. “When the virus first hit, our constructing fully shut down and I started feeling very unhappy and remoted,” mentioned Terry Doyle, Elder Buddies Cellphone Companions participant and long-time LBFE member. “My companions from Little Brothers have stored my spirits up and helped me notice that I can take a foul scenario and do constructive issues. Now I sew face masks and facilitate cellphone discussions for different elders experiencing the sentiments I’ve.”
Since 1972, LBFE’s sole mission has been to alleviate loneliness and isolation by significant relationships between older adults and volunteers. COVID-19 challenged LBFE to rapidly develop a brand new on-line matching program that facilitated phone friendships and expanded its geographical attain to your complete state. Elder Buddies Cellphone Companions will proceed to be a supply of hope and assist for any remoted grownup throughout this disaster and past.
Join on-line: https://www.littlebrothersmn.org/phone-companions/
Join by e-mail: [email protected]
Join by cellphone: 612-746-0737
Contact: Mike Weiner
612-703-3932
[email protected]
SOURCE Little Brothers, Buddies of the Aged
Associated Hyperlinks
littlebrothersmn.org
