Dutchess County Office for Aging launches ‘Friendly Calls’ program

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Sue Serino, left, and Stephanie Perri, brief volunteers for the new 'Friendly Calls' program

POUGHKEEPSIE – The Dutchess County Office for the Aging has launched a pilot “Friendly Calls” program to connect seniors with volunteers who call them weekly, speaking for 20 to 30 minutes and providing social interaction.

The goal is to alleviate the feelings of loneliness and isolation some seniors feel, help them to remain active, age with dignity and live independently as long as possible.

An adaptation of the State Office for the Aging’s “Friendly Calls” service, the county program has trained two dozen volunteers to connect with local, pre-screened older adults who have identified an interest in fostering connections with others and reducing social isolation through weekly telephone calls.

Some 40 local seniors have already signed up for the program.

Former State Senator Sue Serino, who served on the Aging Committee, recommended the idea for local implementation and is now a county employee working on the initiative.

“The safety and well-being of Dutchess County’s older adults is a top priority, and we know feeling isolated can have adverse effects on a senior’s physical health, including higher risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and dementia,” said County Executive William O’Neill. “Our Office for the Aging has begun its ‘Friendly Calls’ program to increase socialization for older adults who need it and decrease those adverse effects related to loneliness.”




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