Health Buddies: Companionship as Medicine
Connection can be powerful medicine. Seniors in Service is helping older adults facing isolation and chronic health conditions improve their well-being through Health Buddies, a program that pairs trained volunteers with seniors for companionship, encouragement, and support that strengthens both emotional and physical health.
Seniors in Service Program Coordinator Aria Garling had the privilege of presenting our innovative Health Buddies program at the 2023 Florida Blue Foundation Community Health Symposium. Presenters at the symposium included national, regional, and Florida-based experts on a range of issues affecting health, communities, and health care policy. This year’s symposium focused on the topic of mental well-being.
The Health Buddies program enhances the mental well-being of isolated seniors living with chronic conditions by pairing them with one of our Health Buddies.
Health Buddies are caring, trained volunteers who provide companionship, health knowledge and encouragement. Participant data indicates that by the end of the 12-week Health Buddies intervention, clients reported decreased feelings of nervousness, depression, hopelessness, worthlessness, and restlessness, as well as improved ability to self-manage their health. Plus, 98% of Health Buddies clients did not visit the emergency room!
We were honored to have the opportunity to share with other health-minded symposium attendees how Health Buddies is enhancing mental well-being for Tampa Bay’s most vulnerable seniors by providing companionship as a form of medicine.
Help Bring Healing Through Friendship
Health Buddies pairs caring volunteers with isolated seniors, proving that companionship is powerful medicine. Your support makes these life-changing connections possible.
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