Community Support Helps Expand Health Buddies

Health Buddies volunteer spending time with a senior at home in Pasco County, providing companionship and support.

When the community comes together, programs grow stronger. With generous support, Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay’s Health Buddies program is expanding to reach more adults living with chronic conditions — bringing encouragement, care, and connection to those who need it most.

United Way Pasco and Florida Medical Clinic Foundation are helping isolated seniors, like Julia, improve their well-being through social connection and health coaching.

“I didn’t know who my Health Buddy would be when I first signed up, and I was even a bit apprehensive about having conversations with a young adult. I’m happy to say that I connected so perfectly with my Health Buddy, Liz! She is a med student at USF Morsani College of Medicine. How lucky am I!? She is so intelligent and an old soul. Now, I even keep a picture of Liz in my living room with all of my best pictures! She is a treasure to me. I didn’t realize how lonely and depressed I was, and now I see how much I was missing out on. Liz and I talk about everything! From tools to help me feel more comfortable as I age in place to talking about our family history. I was a world traveler and love to learn about different backgrounds. Liz has brought such joy back into my life as she tells me about her travels, and has taught me a lot. I hope she has learned a bit from me as well.”
-Julia, Pasco County Health Buddies Client

United Way Pasco committed $5,000 to support Health Buddies in Pasco County. Through this grant, we’ll be able to help more seniors living with chronic conditions self-manage their care, reduce hospital visits, and improve their mental and physical well-being.

Florida Medical Clinic Foundation committed $4,974 to provide healthy meals to Health Buddies clients who face food insecurity or struggle with proper nutrition. Health Buddies volunteers attend training provided by a registered dietitian and use that information to help coach their clients toward better eating habits. Nutritious food delivered to their door reinforces this information and introduces clients to nourishing, new foods. It also serves as a conversation starter for Health Buddies and clients to discuss the foods they ate and how they made them feel.