Health Buddies & Pinellas EMS Partner To Support Seniors
Partnerships make service stronger. Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay’s Health Buddies program recently joined forces with Pinellas County EMS and the Sheriff’s Office to expand support for older adults. Together, they’re helping seniors manage chronic conditions, feel less isolated, and access vital resources that improve health and well-being.
We’re excited to announce that Pinellas County Emergency Management Services (EMS), Fire and Rescue, and the Sheriff Department are now partnering with Seniors in Service through our Health Buddies initiative. First responders who frequently receive non-emergency calls from lonely seniors living with chronic conditions are receiving training to refer them for a Health Buddy.
Health Buddies are compassionate, trained volunteers who provide companionship, encouragement, and support through regularly scheduled friendly phone calls.
The Sheriff Department reports that many seniors who are isolated frequently call 911 just because they’re lonely. But it’s not “all in their head”. Loneliness causes stress and anxiety that can cause chronic physical symptoms and worsen mental well-being. Additionally, the increased burden on first responders costs taxpayers over $300,000 per year.
Health Buddies offers “companionship as medicine,” empowering isolated seniors with chronic conditions to improve their social connections and self-manage their health, enabling them to live independently.
Explore the Health Buddies Program
Through partnerships and volunteers, Health Buddies brings encouragement, connection, and resources to seniors managing chronic conditions. Learn how you can support this impact.
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