ElderFriends is a free, volunteer-based friendly visiting program that provides companionship, outreach, and advocacy to lonely and isolated older adults. By facilitating weekly friendly visits, we strive to meet the emotional needs of our elders, helping them to age in place, in their own homes, for as long as possible. While our elders receive needed emotional support, our volunteers gain the opportunity to build friendships with older adults, enhancing their own pursuit for successful aging and creating a mutually beneficial relationship.

Through the development of each unique friendship, we also re-connect our elders to the larger community. Whether our ElderFriends matches spend their time sharing life stories, playing a game of cards, pursing a shared passion, or learning together about community resources, our goal is to facilitate the creation of meaningful friendships that promote the health and well being of lonely older adults and their volunteers.

Read more about ElderFriends outcomes in the most recent program year.

Read what participants and their family say about their experience with ElderFriends:

“[My volunteer] is the best friend I could have. I always look forward to her smiling face and caring attitude. She makes me feel so special. By far, I really love who she is and believe she makes my life a lot better. ElderFriends is the best thing that’s happened to me since my wife’s passing” – an ElderFriends program Elder

“My mother would always tell us about the visits with Helen and John Thomas [friendly visiting volunteer and her son] and it gave her something special to share with us. It was important to her and she was excited to tell us things we didn’t know about her day. The more visits she had, the more stimulated she was and that made her life happier. These visits gave her a reason to get up, get dressed, and made her feel important and valued.” – daughter of program Elder as reported by RichmondMom.com. Click here to read the entire article.

“[My ElderFriend] is such a fun person. I hope when I am 89 I can be as great as he is. I love to hear his stories and we have so much in common. Same taste in music, travels, sports (at least golf). [He] brightens my life” –an ElderFriends Friendly Visiting volunteer

To learn more about participating in ElderFriends or to refer an elder or volunteer, please click on the tab at right.