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Support Seniors & Combat Loneliness:

Invest in our seniors, that have given us so much! Help Befrienders combat loneliness in our senior population. The pandemic has exasperated the social isolation of our seniors, and the need for social interaction continues to grow. With your help, we can make a difference. Become a long-term match and be a Befriender for a senior or join our Lend-A-Hand task force and support seniors with seasonal needs.  

The Impact of Loneliness

More than 40% of the over-65 population regularly experience loneliness. This feeling of separation and social isolation can lead to serious health problems and even death. In fact, loneliness increases the likelihood of mortality by 26%. It is as damaging to ones health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. And, loneliness increases the chance of developing clinical dementia and Alzheimer's by 64%.

Our Seniors Need You!

The pandemic has amplified the effects of loneliness, isolation, and social exclusion, onto the quality of life of our seniors. We currently have 34 seniors awaiting to be matched with a volunteer, and more senior applications arrive every week. We matched 83 seniors last year and hope to match over a hundred seniors this year. In order to increase our capacity, each month we need 10-12 community volunteers willing to be a Befriender.

Red Field
  • Seniors Awaiting a Match

    29

  • Current Matches

    106

  • Average Time to Make a Match

    2 weeks

  • Total Program Participants

    265

  • Average Age of Senior Participants

    79.5

  • Age Range of Current Volunteers

    18-79

We have the power to improve the lives of our lonely seniors. Generosity has the ability to unite and strengthen the intergenerational bonds in our community. Together, we can enrich our lives.

Stories

Lee and Allen have been Befrienders for nearly two years now, meeting nearly every week for a nice walk around Bozeman Ponds or on inclement days they move inside the mall to walk and then stop for a cup of coffee and some good conversation.

Jim and Aeryn were matched after Jim’s wife, Mary Alice, who was a senior participant in our Befrienders program, passed away recently.

My friendship with Beverly began quite by accident. As a matter of fact, the former Executive Director of Befrienders referred to it as a “happy accident.” I, however, know that it was not an accident at all – it was meant to be.

  • Befrienders Volunteer
    Befrienders Volunteer

    She always thanks me, but I do this because I enjoy spending time with her. She is a pretty incredible person with amazing life stories.