Team of volunteers become buddies with Georgia seniors to ease feeling of isolation

ATHENS, Ga. — The coronavirus pandemic has hit our older loved ones the hardest, but a team of volunteers is hoping to ease the feeling of social isolation with “Buddy Calls” program.

Eve Anthony is the president and CEO of Athens Community Council on Aging. She cited research that shows, “that the health impact of social isolation in older adults equates to smoking one pack of cigarettes a day.”

Having seen the effects of social isolation first hand, ACCA is working to lessen it. The group has seen the need increase for not only food and basic needs for seniors, but for social connection too.

“I kind of figured that she’s not the only one going through that and it seemed like a good place to start. To maybe reach out and see if there was any way we could provide support for other citizens like her,” said Peragine.

Quinn Peragine is a third-year medical student who said he noticed the need for connection in his own grandmother.

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ACCA made the connection for Peragine and nearly two dozen other students he recruited.

They make “Buddy Calls” to check on and chat with seniors at least twice a week.

“I’m starting to build out a rapport with them where I kind of know what’s been going on in their life and they heard about what’s going on in mine,” Peragine said.

So when his “buddy” Mr. Mann sounded down, he knew to reach out and get him some help.

ACCA’s President and CEO noted that was an important connection that they wouldn’t have known about or have been able to make without Quinn Peragine’s involvement.

Same thing happened with Dr. Allen whose ‘buddy’ thought he could use a pick-me-up. Friends paraded outside of Dr. Allen’s home.

For the medical students volunteering, it’s about constructing connections and trying to help in any way possible. You can learn more about Buddy Calls or volunteer by visiting their website here.