A new service aims to help quell growing anxiety for seniors in south central Indiana as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Thrive Alliance now offers a “Senior Friend Line” for older citizens having difficulties coping with loneliness and isolation as physical distancing continues as part of the fight against the virus.
The line, 1-866-644-6407, puts individuals in touch with trained Thrive Alliance staff members, who listen to their concerns confidentially and without judgement.
Senior Friend Line staff are not therapists, and will not provide counseling advice, but they have been highly trained in active listening, Thrive Alliance Outreach and Community Relations manager Sue Lamborn said.
“We know that many of our seniors suffer from isolation to begin with,” Lamborn said. “That can cause some physical and mental issues. We thought it would be a good idea to set up a simple chat line for people to call in and do check-ins with us about how they’re feeling. We know that a lot of people’s anxiety is on the increase, and that connecting is an important part of people’s well-being.”
Thrive Alliance is a non-profit organization that provides a wide range of housing, social, and human services to residents of south central Indiana. It is Indiana’s Area 11 Agency on Aging and has served Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson and Jennings counties since 1981.
The organization has 1,550 clients throughout the region. On average, Thrive Alliance Care Managers complete 250 home visits and phone calls per month.
Anyone over the age of 60, or anyone who has a disability, may call Thrive Alliance between the hours of 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, to be connected to the Senior Friend Line. When necessary, the staff may provide referrals to services for those callers who have on-going challenges.
Calls generally last about 10 minutes, but individuals are invited to call back should they want additional listening support, Lamborn said.
There is also an online chat service available for after hours.
Between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, staff will be available to chat via Thrive Alliance’s online chat service at www.Thrive-Alliance.org.continue to rise each day.
Lamborn said she’s not aware of any other organizations offering a similar service in the area at this time.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Where to call” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
To help seniors having difficulties coping with loneliness and isolation, Thrive Alliance is offering a Senior Friend Line
Anyone over the age of 60, or anyone who has a disability, may call Thrive Alliance at 1-866-644-6407 during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, to be connected to the Senior Friend Line. Between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, staff will be available to chat via Thrive Alliance’s online chat service which can be accessed by simply going to www.Thrive-Alliance.org.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
