We are interactive human beings- this need is filled through various forms of relationships we build with others throughout our lifetime. However, our need and desire to interact with others cannot always be fulfilled when there are barriers present. Within our course, we have learned how the impact of loneliness and social isolation effects the individual- it can take a toll on one’s mental health, physical health, and well-being. However, age transcends this dilemma, as elders may not have frequent visits from relatives, may move to retirement homes with reduced exposure to others, and are unable to have access to transportation to attend social settings. Thus, loneliness is an issue that elders suffer continuously. In recent light of our world, the COVID-19 pandemic has added an additional layer of burden for not only our elders, but people of all ages. By having to follow safe distancing, self-quarantine, and staying indoors, many are suffering from social isolation and loss of interaction with loved ones. In order to acknowledge these gaps, a group from our cohort decided to develop a program titled, ‘Phone Pals’ in which a college student is paired with an elder from San Diego for triweekly phone call meetings. We felt that by implementing such a program, we are filling the need of human interaction and love for one another that is needed in today’s climate.
I volunteered to be the main point of contact for Serving Seniors- nearly 10 students are now volunteers with this center. Due to the high demand of volunteers, I was paired with 3 elders- Ramona, Carolyn, and Barbara. What was meant to be a short 7-minute phone call, each one of my phone calls last over thirty minutes because so much time is spent learning about one another. Each one of my phone pals are unique, although they had a similar upbringing (grew up in the south, studied in college, and have families) their characters cannot be anymore different. I am appreciative of all the stories I have been able to learn from them and their personal lives. Secondly, these women have been so grateful for the work that we are doing and the tri-weekly phone calls. For them, it is a prime mode of communication, and during these demanding times, it is comforting to simply talk and listen to another. My relationship with each one of my elder partners has flourished within a short time- Barbara has actually sent me a book she had about a woman in medical school, as she knows that becoming a doctor is my dream. Carolyn, a woman who is actively engaged with volunteering and serving food at Serving Seniors, sends me weekly yoga poses to practice with my mother, as she is a part of a virtual yoga club that aims to keep elders active and united during the pandemic. Ramona, who I feel resembles my personality the most, and I have conversations over the importance of being grateful for the little things in life. Her biggest role model is her 8-year-old grandson, because as she states, “when we are children life is blissful and full of adventure. We should all spend our lives with the same attitude as we did when we were kids.”
Along with our ability to get this program running, we have also been able to get our program and the Life Course Scholars Program some press. Last month, I was interviewed by KBPS to talk about who our volunteers, the mission behind ‘Phone Pals,’ and our collaboration with Serving Seniors. This article has been published and on a segment of the radio (I believe). On a personal level, I found this HAP so amazing- the phone calls I have with each elder have been so rewarding and priceless. Although our HAP is coming to a close, I still plan to work with Serving Seniors virtually and continue these phone calls with my elders. One thing I would recommend is planning logistics. When we were planning our HAP, we were beginning to learn the concerns of COVID-19. Toward the end of our winter quarter, we had to essentially change how our HAP was going to be like (alter the form of communication) and solidify who our partners will be. We had a lack of people power to do the work to plan and coordinate our project. Further, we had more complications with our partners- the loss of their sign-up sheet delayed the start date of our project with them by 2 weeks. Nevertheless, I do not think that any one of us could have foreseen any of these mishaps. Despite all of these obstacles, I believe that we were still quite successful with our HAP.
I volunteered to be the main point of contact for Serving Seniors- nearly 10 students are now volunteers with this center. Due to the high demand of volunteers, I was paired with 3 elders- Ramona, Carolyn, and Barbara. What was meant to be a short 7-minute phone call, each one of my phone calls last over thirty minutes because so much time is spent learning about one another. Each one of my phone pals are unique, although they had a similar upbringing (grew up in the south, studied in college, and have families) their characters cannot be anymore different. I am appreciative of all the stories I have been able to learn from them and their personal lives. Secondly, these women have been so grateful for the work that we are doing and the tri-weekly phone calls. For them, it is a prime mode of communication, and during these demanding times, it is comforting to simply talk and listen to another. My relationship with each one of my elder partners has flourished within a short time- Barbara has actually sent me a book she had about a woman in medical school, as she knows that becoming a doctor is my dream. Carolyn, a woman who is actively engaged with volunteering and serving food at Serving Seniors, sends me weekly yoga poses to practice with my mother, as she is a part of a virtual yoga club that aims to keep elders active and united during the pandemic. Ramona, who I feel resembles my personality the most, and I have conversations over the importance of being grateful for the little things in life. Her biggest role model is her 8-year-old grandson, because as she states, “when we are children life is blissful and full of adventure. We should all spend our lives with the same attitude as we did when we were kids.”
Along with our ability to get this program running, we have also been able to get our program and the Life Course Scholars Program some press. Last month, I was interviewed by KBPS to talk about who our volunteers, the mission behind ‘Phone Pals,’ and our collaboration with Serving Seniors. This article has been published and on a segment of the radio (I believe). On a personal level, I found this HAP so amazing- the phone calls I have with each elder have been so rewarding and priceless. Although our HAP is coming to a close, I still plan to work with Serving Seniors virtually and continue these phone calls with my elders. One thing I would recommend is planning logistics. When we were planning our HAP, we were beginning to learn the concerns of COVID-19. Toward the end of our winter quarter, we had to essentially change how our HAP was going to be like (alter the form of communication) and solidify who our partners will be. We had a lack of people power to do the work to plan and coordinate our project. Further, we had more complications with our partners- the loss of their sign-up sheet delayed the start date of our project with them by 2 weeks. Nevertheless, I do not think that any one of us could have foreseen any of these mishaps. Despite all of these obstacles, I believe that we were still quite successful with our HAP.