Countywide : Chats Are Special Times for Elderly

Once a week, Kim Weggeland meets up with a special friend to talk.

Their hourlong conversations are freewheeling. Weggeland might talk about her upcoming wedding. Her friend, an elderly woman, might discuss plans for the holidays.

The pair was brought together two months ago through a YMCA community outreach program that matches senior citizens with younger people.

Weggeland, a 31-year-old Newport Beach sales manager, said she and her match had an instant rapport.

“It’s working out great,” she said. “We talk about everything.”

About a dozen senior citizens from throughout Orange County take part in the program. Organizers are now looking for more volunteers to spend one day a week with senior citizens. A training class for participants will be held Sept. 21 in Irvine.

Elana Peters, a coordinator of Project Reach Out for Seniors, said lonely elderly people benefit from having regular visitors.

“It gives them something to look forward to each week,” said Peters. “We find that many seniors are isolated. This causes depression and loneliness. I think this adds to their aging and (can cause them) to go downhill physically more quickly.”

The program provides matches for seniors who live in homes or nursing facilities.

Both seniors and volunteers fill out questionnaires that program organizers use to make the matches.

The volunteer workshop will be at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 21 in the YMCA Community Counseling Services Office, Building 2, at Red Hill Avenue and Main Street in Irvine. For more information, call (714) 253-4140.

Each volunteer must be willing to spend at least an hour a week with a senior and stay with the program for at least six months.

Peters and Weggeland said volunteers also reap rewards from the service.

“It gives you a better sense of yourself and a better understanding of seniors,” Peters said.