Friendly Visitor pair: Mr. G and Reed.
For over five years, Senior Services of Alexandria has coordinated the Friendly Visitor Program, where on any given week, more than 60 volunteers visit a senior for an hour in their home, apartment, assisted living, or healthcare community. This program is designed to enhance the quality of life of socially isolated seniors by providing social interaction, mental stimulation, and emotional support.
A volunteer who has been visiting a senior since the beginning of the program said it best when she stated that, “what began as a great volunteer opportunity of weekly visits quickly became a special friendship.” A perfect example of how these friendships develop is that of MJ, with her friendly visitor volunteer and Senior Services staff member, Mary Anne, and her Groceries to Go grocery delivery volunteer, Suzan. MJ has lots of interesting stories to tell about her 30-year career with the Air Force supporting generals and other high-level military personnel while living in Guam, Germany, Spain, Belgium, and Washington, D.C. She recently exclaimed how happy she is to have new, younger friends in her life.
Another example of a friendship resulting from this program is Mr. G., a veteran, and Reed, a young U.S. Air Force officer. They talk about their experiences in the military, love of travel, and watch Western movies together — Reed said he has learned more about John Wayne than he ever thought possible. They both have commented that they look forward to their weekly time together.
If you know of a senior living in Alexandria who would benefit from this program, or have an interest in volunteering with the Friendly Visitor Program, contact me at 703-836-4414, Ext. 120 or email at friendlyvisitor@seniorservicesalex.org.