Welcome Bozeman Volunteers to Befrienders! Read Our Philosphy and Why We Do What We Do.
Why We Do What We Do
The Need
Those fortunate enough to live a long life pay a penalty in that they find the number of their family members, friends and acquaintances has substantially diminished. Many of these people, our parents or neighbors, learn to live with the stark reality of long days with little or no company. Due to these losses and other common age-related transitions such as retirement, residence relocation, and developing physical limitations, senior citizens are at risk of becoming socially isolated, lonely, and in need of positive personal interaction. Social support is not only necessary for emotional well being but also for physical health. Lack of social engagement is connected to increased heart disease and cognitive decline as well as greater risk of falling.
Early social scientific research found a correlation between higher rates of social contact and community involvement and lower mortality rates. Specifically, the California State Department of Health concluded from a 9-year longitudinal study ending in 1974 that subjects with few social contacts suffered a higher death rate than their socially connected counterparts. Their findings also showed an association between better social support and better health in general.
More recently, a December 2002 report form the University of California, Irvine, showed a significant correlation among loneliness, lack of emotional support, and lack of companionship and heart disease. In 2000, a Harvard School of Public Health study found that people who have become socially disengaged are much more likely to decline cognitively than those who remain socially active. Also, a study conducted in Sydney, Australia found that providing volunteer companionship for patients with a high risk rated at of falling resulted in a 50% decrease in the rate of falls during a six-month period in 2002 (29), compared with the same period in 2001 (65). Falling is one of the most prevalent fears of the elderly population.
A combination of poor health and inadequate social support can lead to institutional living such as residence in a skilled nursing facility. Because of the high cost of nursing homes, many residents exhaust their personal financial resources during an extensive stay forcing them to rely on government assistance. That increases the taxpayers' burden by over $3,000 per skilled nursing facility resident per month in the Bozeman area. This amount does not include durable medical equipment or rehabilitative services. Moreover, this move means a loss of possessions, familiar environment, independence, and control for the resident, which often provokes anger or depression.
Depression, not physical decline, is overwhelmingly the leading reason for suicide among the elderly. Elderly persons are less likely to reach out by calling a crisis line than are their younger counterparts. The 65 and older age group accounts for almost 25% of all suicides nationwide. Suicide rates are highest in the Northwest United States. Although Montana ranks near the bottom in terms of state population, it ranked in the top five of all states in number of suicides by all age groups every year of the 1990s.
Befrienders has been unable to fill all its requests for visitors because of a lack of volunteer capacity caused by a low level of public awareness. We need to expand our outreach efforts to ensure adequate coverage of our service area. Befrienders serves anyone for whom we can recruit a volunteer. That is, if we can find a volunteer willing to visit a senior regularly at the senior's particular location, we will serve that person.
Consequences of Unmet Need
The root cause of social isolation continues to go unacknowledged in our communities. Issues such as depression, poor nutrition, declining physical health, institutionalization -- issues that get to the heart of the problems we witness in our communities -- are not receiving the support they need from the funding community. Instead activities too often focus on the symptoms of the problems and not the root causes and solutions to them.
The Future
According to the most recent national census, 5,770 senior citizens live in Gallatin County including 2,200 in the city of Bozeman. This number is projected to double in the next 20 years as the area continues its very high population growth rate -- 21% in the 1990s. Along with this expected increase in the general population is an expected but disproportionate increase in the number of people age 65 and over. Experts estimate that senior citizens will make up as much as 25% of Gallatin County's population.
As the population of elderly rises so does the need for senior programs and services placing additional pressures on already scarce local resources. A 2001 report by Montana's Department of Health and Human Services, “The State of Aging in Montana” describes a need for increased local outreach among aging services. It reads, “A lack of awareness about aging services on the part of the general public as well as those who could directly benefit from services. The first time someone usually becomes aware of aging services is when a crisis arises. This is in spite of considerable effort on the part of the Aging Network to inform the general public about aging and long-term care issues.” Befrienders' goal is to help prevent those crises from occurring.
Impact
Intergenerational programs such as Befrienders benefit senior adults and students alike, bridging the gap between the elderly and the youth. On a large scale, increased interaction, including attention and communication, among different generations fosters insight and empathy, narrowing cultural and attitudinal differences and creating an atmosphere of community cohesion. With the many changes in society today and the rapidly growing population of elderly, everyone must be aware of their world and their future. As individuals becomes aware of the needs of its members, society as a whole benefits.
As Befrienders' primary target service population, senior citizens naturally seem to reap the greatest benefit from our matches. Our older participants regularly express great satisfaction with their Befriender and the program. They become less socially isolated, feel happier, and are able to live life more fully. A regular visitor relieves loneliness and stress, stimulates the mind, and provides comfort and security.
Through Befrienders matches, senior citizens enjoy a higher level of social involvement and personal independence. More active, vital adults are seen as valuable assets in our society. Quality social support empowers and assists older people to remain vital as they age. The experience of helping oneself in one area cultivates strength of spirit and ability in other areas.
Senior participants receive individual personal attention from someone who can help detect changes in health, living conditions, financial and/or nutritional declines, and other areas which may need to be addressed. Abuse, neglect and exploitation can be detected and result in the provision of proper assistance. Socialization and friendship can help to reduce depression, isolation, and illness.
Our visiting volunteers may argue that they benefit more from being a Befriender than do their older counterparts. “We definitely get more than we give,” said one young Befriender. “You get someone whose smile lights up the room when you walk in the door.” For the visiting volunteer, whether 25 years old or 55, the Befrienders relationship enhances personal and intellectual growth in a unique way.
Volunteerism produces youth who value involvement in the community and are trained to become leaders and thinkers as they are supporters, problem solvers and advocates for seniors. Having this experience, and a greater understanding of their role and the diversity of needs in our community, these students are better equipped for their professional careers and for their roles as leaders and citizens.
Befrienders visitors gain self confidence, self awareness, and an understanding of generation similarities and differences. They learn about family and aging development, the benefits and challenges of a long life, and the struggles of those with exceptional needs. Visiting volunteers grow an appreciation for our elderly, become more open minded, and are inspired to plan for their own futures.