Telephone reassurance programs give peace of mind to seniors who live alone and those who may be lonely. Programs vary and calls can be scheduled to come daily or weekly. These callers will chat about anything from gardening to the day’s news. The calls can also be a way for volunteer callers to identify needs and connect the older adult to additional support. The service is offered at no charge. If you know of a senior who is socially isolated, contact one of the following organizations to enroll them into a program:
Hannan Center’s Friendly Caller program serves anyone over 60 or a caregiver of someone who is over 60. Participants choose how many times they would like to be contacted each week.
Contact Melissa Draughn, 313.833.1300 x 32, or mdraughn@hannan.org
The Detroit Area Agency on Aging makes weekly Friendly Telephone Reassurance Calls to seniors 60-plus who are referred by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, family, caregivers, volunteers, and community partner organizations – or self-referrals. Calls are made M-F, 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., as requested. Referrals may also be made for assistance with home delivered meals, in-home personal care assistance, transportation resources, or grocery delivery assistance, while the program is available.
If you are looking to stay connected or help others in the LGBTQ community stay connected, contact The Friendly Caller Program at 734.353.1172 or email info@sagemetrodetroit.org. During the pandemic, the program is expanding to provide resources and information.
Catholic Charities of SE Michigan provides a Telephone Reassurance and a Pen Pal program for seniors who would enjoy receiving a snail mailed letter. Contact Andrea Dudley at dudleya@ccsem.org or 248.291.3211. To receive telephone calls instead, contact Christine Sickle at sicklec@ccsem.org or 248.809.1646, New and returning RSVP volunteers are needed.
Catholic Social Services of Southeast Michigan serves Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Monroe and Livingston counties. To register, contact Trista Johnson at 248.537.3300, ext. 3941. Include the person’s name, phone number, address, emergency contact name & number, and any pertinent information (dementia, hard of hearing, etc.).
The State of Michigan Mi Bridges program connects Area Agencies on Aging and local volunteers to get fresh, frozen or non-perishable meal delivery and/or Friendly Reassurance calls through an online form.