ARC Program Helps Isolated Adults Connect with a Familiar Voice

For older Atlantans who live alone or don't get out much, a regular phone conversation can provide companionship and an important connection to the outside world. Volunteer callers are always needed.

By Randall BloomquistNext30ATL

Sometimes a phone call is more than a phone call.

For an older adult who lives alone, is homebound or has little regular contact with friends and family, hearing a familiar voice a couple of times a week can make a difference.

That's the idea behind the Atlanta Regional Commission's One2One Telephone Reassurance Program, which connects trained volunteers with at-risk adults over 60 and people with disabilities in metro Atlanta. Volunteers make regular calls to provide conversation, companionship and human connection.

Loneliness and social isolation become greater risks as we age. Retirement can eliminate everyday workplace interaction. Friends and spouses die. Adult children may live far away. Giving up driving, mobility problems, and health issues can make getting together with other people increasingly difficult.

Research has linked loneliness and social isolation with increased risks of depression, heart disease and cognitive decline.

One2One isn't a substitute for family involvement or professional caregiving. But it can add another regular human connection to someone's week.

The program may also appeal to Next30ATL readers looking for a meaningful way to volunteer.

Volunteers use their own phones and typically make one or two calls each week per participant. They must be at least 23, complete training and pass a fingerprint background check.

That makes One2One an unusually accessible volunteer opportunity, particularly for retired or semi-retired Atlantans who want to help without committing to a complicated schedule.

The idea has a nice symmetry. One Atlantan looking for more connection receives a call from another Atlantan looking for a meaningful way to contribute.

Interested in receiving calls or becoming a volunteer? Click HERE to learn more.