Nursing Home, Assisted Living
& Retirement Home Visitation

FRIEND TO FRIEND recruits and matches volunteers (on a one-to-one basis) with elderly and handicapped persons who live in Nursing, Assisted Living, and Retirement Homes for the purpose of friendship. This is achieved through organized chapters operating throughout Puget Sound and supported by a central office.

Volunteer friends make a commitment to visit at least twice a month for a minimum of one year. Visits may be short, 15-30 minutes. Many such friendships have extended long beyond the initial commitment. Often the volunteers' families including children and pets also become involved in the relationship. The residents who are drawn into a loving family discover they are once again a highly valued part of society.

Many of the 50,000+ elderly and handicapped persons living in a Home in the Puget Sound area never have a personal visitor. Living away from family and friends, they feel isolated and lonely, which leads to further physical and mental deterioration. Many are discouraged and depressed and have lost their will to live. Social programs within the Homes do not fully meet the need of the residents on this deeply personal level. Visits by a caring friend add a dimension which enriches and makes their lives more meaningful.

People are living longer in today's society, and the number of persons living in Homes increases annually. The need for volunteer friends for these persons is also increasing. Daily recruitment and continual program development is required to keep pace with this need. Currently FRIEND TO FRIEND volunteers are regularly visiting lonely residents in 270+ Homes in the Puget Sound area. Many more Friends are needed.

FRIEND TO FRIEND improves the wellbeing of not only those who live in the Homes, but also the quality of life for the community as a whole. It is a fine example of volunteerism at the grass-roots level.

Those who benefit most are the residents of the Homes to whom a friend is assigned. The adverse effects of loneliness are reduced as they are given caring support during a time when it is greatly needed. Volunteers benefit by developing their own interpersonal skills and acquiring an increased understanding of the needs and resources for older and handicapped persons. As members of the community become involved in the Homes, other ideas for related efforts are generated and promoted. People are engaged in a common, worthwhile task - that of improving the quality of life in their community in a direct and personal manner.

FRIEND TO FRIEND has demonstrated its competence in over a quarter century of service. Since the program began in 1974, nearly 15,000 residents have had a special friend through the program. FRIEND TO FRIEND shares its information and know-how with others when requested and continues to serve as a model for others who have developed the program in other communities. The office makes referrals to other human care agencies on a daily basis.