Those who were 40 at the dawn of this millennium have passed their sixties. And there are many of them: in July 2021, more than one person in five in Quebec was aged 65 or over. Almost two million!
I have worked in the field of health and aging since 1982 and I have always had great admiration for community organizations and their ability to meet the needs of vulnerable people. I have also had the chance to closely observe the organization Les Petits Frères for several years, and I see the quality of the organization, the passion of those who work there and their concern to do things well. In other words, I witnessed their deep commitment to seniors and their long-term support work for very isolated people.
The pandemic (yes, it again)
In the fall of 2021, in the midst of a pandemic, a survey I participated in revealed that a large number of people aged 55 or over felt isolated and even useless. It was also found that the number of seniors engaged in volunteer work had decreased significantly. That’s not all: the isolation caused by the pandemic has had an impact on the physical, psychological, cognitive and social health of seniors.
The Extraordinary Role of Volunteers
Every time I hear stories from Little Brothers volunteers, I see the pride in their commitment. Why this pride? First, they see the effect of their support in the lives of seniors. When they visit them or call them, they know they are a ray of sunshine in their day. It also creates a sincere relationship of friendship between them.
After all, the elderly person has a life course, experiences that they share and which are inspiring for those who receive their confidences. Both gradually engage in a relationship where each feels useful and enriched.
In the work that I do in public health, there is a lot of emphasis on the participation, social inclusion and resilience of seniors. The relationship of trust that is established with the volunteer therefore makes it possible to fight against the feeling of loneliness and, at the end of the pandemic, to recondition the elderly person to meet new people and to leave their home again. A real breath of fresh air as the holidays approach!
Volunteers give and receive a lot in return
Volunteers often say that they receive a lot from the elders whom they call their “great friends”, even more than what they give.
Our life is so frantic that this meeting between the volunteer and the elder, which takes place regularly for several years, is a downtime.
It allows the volunteer to reflect, to listen to others and to listen to themselves. This is very positive in our hectic world, in which all the media holds us back, e-mails come in by the dozen and the phone rings all the time. It’s almost a form of relaxation, of meditation. And it’s rare. Precious. A time out for both of them.
Moreover, we often talk about attitudes of ageism within society and the fight against this ageism is very successful when we develop intergenerational activities. The younger volunteer who has a good relationship with an older person is more likely to develop one with other older people. So there is an extremely positive snowball effect.
Thank you to the volunteers and the community network
The health care system cannot meet the basic and emotional needs met by an organization like Les Petits Frères.
In fact, community organizations play an essential role with seniors.
The hospital, which is so often talked about, does its job to provide the best possible care to seniors when they need it. On the other hand, community organizations are present in their daily lives to create a caring and safe living environment.
At Les Petits Frères alone, more than 500 seniors who no longer have ties with their family or close friends are waiting for a meaningful and lasting relationship with a volunteer. Who will be there for them?
For International Volunteer Day, let’s remember that giving your time is an essential gesture to the balance of our society.
* The author is a medical specialist in public health and preventive medicine in the field of aging at the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal.