Pilot Program Launched with Support from Caesars Foundation Demonstrates the Efficacy of Friendly Calling and Visiting in Reducing Disconnectedness Among Seniors

ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Meals on Wheels America, the leadership organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based providers across the U.S. dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger, today released new findings from a recent pilot study quantitatively measuring the impact of regular social interaction on feelings of disconnectedness in older adults and exploring operational considerations for reach and scale.

Meals on Wheels social connection programs link volunteers with seniors in their communities through two key activities: friendly calling and friendly visiting. Friendly calling involves regular phone calls made by a volunteer or staff member to provide conversation and companionship. Friendly visiting refers to in-person, one-on-one engagements between a senior and a volunteer, scheduled regularly over an extended period of time. Through this pilot study, conducted with ten local Meals on Wheels providers, Meals on Wheels America examined how these interactions affect feelings of disconnectedness in older adults.

The findings include:

• 53% of participants who received friendly calls and/or visits reported statistically significant reductions in social disconnectedness
• Seniors who received regular calls and visits reported feeling significantly more content with their friendships and relationships and ability to find companionship
• Participants showed improvements in emotional well-being, with many expressing increased happiness and a stronger sense of community

When asked about the impact of the social connection program on their life, a study participant shared, "I'm speaking from my heart. I love this program. It makes me feel alive, like someone cares. And I know I'm not the only lonely senior."

"This pilot validates existing findings that Meals on Wheels providers offer impactful social connection programming and uncovers meaningful lessons for scaling these valuable, time-intensive offerings," said Laura Belazis, Senior Director of Strategy & Impact at Meals on Wheels America. "From here, we will work to reduce operational barriers to providing social connection programs and improve the depth and quality of social interactions as we scale these offerings to additional providers within the Meals on Wheels network."

Social isolation and loneliness are growing public health concerns, declared a national epidemic in 2023 by the U.S. Surgeon General. The negative consequences of social isolation include anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, lower quality of life and increased use of health care services. To learn more about this research, visit https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/learn-more/research/social-connection. 

About Meals on Wheels America
Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. Powered by a trusted volunteer workforce, this network delivers a comprehensive solution that begins with a meal and is proven to enable independence and well-being through the additional benefits of tailored nutrition, social connection, safety and much more. By providing funding, programming, education, research and advocacy, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time.

For more information about the social connection program, the full research study, or to get involved, please visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

Press Contacts:  
Jenny Young
Meals on Wheels America
press@mealsonwheelsamerica.org