Community members dedicate their time to alleviate solitude in elderly care facilities, forging bonds one interaction after another
In the heart of Philadelphia, a man named Paul Falkowski has dedicated his time and energy to combating loneliness among the elderly living in nursing homes. Falkowski, the president and founder of the National Association of Long-Term Care Volunteers, has been working tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of those who often feel isolated.
Falkowski's journey began in 1994 when he founded a nonprofit organisation named Community 360. His approach was simple yet impactful - recruiting volunteers to visit seniors and match them with nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Before moving to Philadelphia in 2019 to be closer to his grandchildren, Falkowski had visited around 170 nursing homes in and around Omaha, Nebraska. It was during these visits that he discovered the staff often said one-on-one visits were what the residents needed most.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented a new challenge, but Falkowski rose to the occasion. He gave his first recruiting presentation in the Philadelphia area during the height of the pandemic, aiming to help elderly people feel less isolated and lonely.
Falkowski's efforts extend beyond just recruiting volunteers. He is actively working to inspire people to volunteer in nursing homes and to convince policymakers of the necessity of volunteers in long-term care.
One of the most inspiring stories to come out of Falkowski's work is that of a volunteer who helped an artist in a nursing home rediscover her art by learning to draw a horse together. This resulted in the nursing home being filled with paintings, a testament to the power of connection and companionship.
Falkowski's work is part of a series on volunteerism called Here To Help. His ability to identify a need and take action to address it has not gone unnoticed. Listener Meridian Swift praised Falkowski for his efforts, highlighting his commitment to making a difference in the lives of the elderly.
Despite the lack of specific information about Falkowski's initiatives and methods in the search results, it is clear that his work is making a significant impact. Falkowski continues to work to expand the volunteer network and get more volunteers into more nursing homes, ensuring that no elderly person has to face loneliness.
The sudden extreme social isolation experienced by nursing home residents during lockdown was a painful reminder for Falkowski of the negative impact of loneliness on health. But with his unwavering dedication and commitment, he continues to strive towards a future where every elderly person in a nursing home feels valued, connected, and loved.
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- In his work with the National Association of Long-Term Care Volunteers, Paul Falkowski is advocating for science-based methods to improve mental health and health-and-wellness among elderly individuals, particularly focusing on social connections and combating loneliness.
- As the president and founder of Community 360, Falkowski's mission is to empower local health-and-wellness initiatives within community settings, encouraging intergenerational engagement and supporting the needs of aging populations for social and mental health support.
