The Friendly Visitor program, operated by Konocti Senior Support, recruits and trains volunteers to visit isolated seniors. Keeping isolated seniors connected helps increase their independence and reduce possible depression and possible suicidal thoughts. Our target population is homebound and/ or isolated older adults.
During the Covid years we have expanded our definition of "isolated," as many older people have been afraid to mingle with others in public situations. Our volunteers provide companionship and life enrichment to the clients in such activities as heart-to-heart talks, walks, and shared hobbies and artistic activities. Services are provided all over Lake County, mostly in client homes, sometimes in community settings such as libraries or parks, etc., and sometimes on the phone.
Community outreach activities and publicity are also part of our program: Vet Connect events, Mental Health Fairs, Community radio events and ads, newspaper articles, library book groups, Meals on Wheels, Senior Centers, etc.
Most Friendly Visitor clients are self-referred.