Loneliness Is Not an Option

Dorot’s Upper West Side building, a welcoming place of comfort for seniors, teens, and adults. (Aaron Premisler)

Dying is inevitable, but dying alone is desolate. Loneliness in older adults is extremely prevalent in today's society. Studies show that social isolation is associated with about a 50% increase in the risk of dementia. Poor social relationships have also been associated with a 29% increase in the risk of heart disease and a 32% increase in the risk of stroke. Some seniors have spouses, children, and grandchildren, but many do not.

I love seeing my grandparents, who love it even more than I do, but not every senior has that luxury. The organization Dorot was started in 1976 by founders who set out to meet the needs of their elderly neighbors who were hungry for food and social connection. Dorot is committed to stopping loneliness in older adults, and I have been lucky to have internships with the organization and develop relationships with seniors.

One of the programs Dorot offers is called home visits. Home visits are when you and two or three other teenagers travel to a senior's house to play games, listen to music, or my favorite: talk. This is what I do! Every week, a group of three other teenagers and I travel to the apartment of a man named Dan Joiner. Dan Joiner is my best friend. The texts I get from him throughout the week warm my heart. Once he asked me how to sign into Gmail and I sent a laughing emoji (of course) after explaining it to him. He and I engage in deep conversations about anything from ancient Greek stories to his childhood friendships to my life at school. My time with him is seriously one of the highlights of my week. He has lived through it all and tells me everything I need to know and do and especially what not to worry about. For example, I always talk about how I’m so stressed about school and testing, and he says, “It all works out in the end, don't kill yourself over it.” He also shares favorite recipes that he has perfected over the years. Once he made biscuits for us, and dare I say, they were almost as good as the ones at Bubby’s in Tribeca.

It makes me so sad to think that Dan feels lonely sometimes. I wish I could always be there for him. Loneliness in one's older age is something no one should ever have to go through.

How can you help?

Dorot makes it so easy to get involved. Home visits are not the only option! Dorot also has community service opportunities such as package delivery, which brings hundreds of older adults and volunteers together to share warmth and companionship. Another way to get involved in volunteering is to make cards for birthdays, holidays, and just to show you care. Receiving a card from someone can make a senior’s year!

Click this link to see if you might like to intern at Dorot!