The Telephone Buddy program encourages human connection and friendship during isolating times
A Telephone Buddy is a volunteer who calls an older adult to check on them, share stories, and make sure their needs are being met. Telephone Buddies share time and bring a sense of purpose.
There are times when families and friends may be separated from loved ones. A Telephone Buddy provides a human touch point.
Telephone Buddies help older adults cope with common feelings of loneliness, isolation, anxiety and more. A Telephone Buddy is the friendly voice of a live person with whom an older adult can feel a connection.
Watch as Colorado seniors discuss ways that the telephone buddies program has helped them with mental health concerns: WATCH VIDEO.
How Can I Request a Telephone Buddy?
Older adults age 60 and over may request a Telephone Buddy to call them. As an older adults you will be screened and then admitted to the program. As an older adult you agree to participate in a well-being survey and a social connectedness survey. The purpose of the surveys are part of our grant to show that volunteers do make a difference in your life, as an older adult. The survey is administered every six months or when you no longer want to use the services of the volunteer.
After the initial screening, an introduction is made advising you that you will be receiving a telephone call from the Telephone Buddy. The purpose of the call is to be a friend, to listen, and to share common interests. Volunteer Telephone Buddies are encouraged to call at an agreed upon time that is convenient for both individuals. After the phone call, the Telephone Buddy will make a short report to The Society on what happened during the phone call. If you have any needs, you can share with the Telephone Buddy, who will in turn, ask the staff to contact you and find the right resource or service.
“I want to be a Telephone Buddy”
If you want to be a volunteer, you will make 1-2 phone calls per week to an older adult to check in on their day-to-day needs, to be a friend (over the phone), to provide a point of human social contact like sharing a memory, or discussing current events. You make the phone calls on your own schedule, that is convenient for you and the older adult.
When you register to be a volunteer, you will be screened, a CBI check will be run, and you will attend a training. After the training, you will be assigned to an older adult. You will initiate the first call and each call thereafter. We suggest an agreed upon time to make the call for consistency and meet everyone’s expectations.
After each telephone call, you will make a short report of the nature of the call and if there are any concerns that need follow-up.
Apply to be a Telephone Buddy!
Are you ready to apply to the program? Complete the Telephone Buddy application form below: