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Dunedin committee launches social-connection survey to reach isolated seniors
Summary
The Committee on Aging and city staff introduced a social-connection survey intended to identify older residents who are isolated and to guide volunteer programs (phone pals, monthly cards, senior-to-senior outreach). The committee plans distribution in about six weeks and will use hard copies, city channels and partner nonprofits for outreach.
The Dunedin Committee on Aging presented a volunteer-driven social-connection survey intended to map isolation among older residents and develop low-cost programs to reduce loneliness.
Cindy (Committee on Aging) said the committee spent a year designing the survey after identifying loneliness as a growing local problem for older residents. The survey will be distributed under the committee's name and staff expect to begin distribution in roughly six weeks.
Committee members described planned volunteer programs that will follow survey results: a senior-to-senior phone-pal program pairing high-school seniors with home-bound older residents; a mail program sending donated greeting cards; and monthly volunteer outreach at the city health center. The committee stressed outreach to seniors who live at home and have no caregiver; assistance groups and nonprofits (e.g., Better Living for Seniors) will be engaged to help distribution.
Committee leaders said there is currently no dedicated budget; the effort will rely on donations and volunteers. Commissioners voiced support, urged partnerships with churches and nonprofits, and agreed by consensus to move the distribution forward.
The committee asked staff to ensure the survey is available in print, on the city's .gov channels and in newsletters so home-bound and less digitally connected seniors can participate.
