By Kate Seegraves

Tuesday might not be exciting to most people, but for 80-year-old Dublin resident Marilyn, it’s a special day.

Tuesdays are when she spends time with her “buddy,” a baby boomer retiree and companion she was matched up with as part of the City of Dublin’s senior citizens program.

From Tuesday lunch dates to adventures in Downtown Columbus, Marilyn (who declined to provide her last name) can’t imagine life without her buddy.

“She takes me to the library and we do all kinds of fun things,” she says. “I couldn’t do that without her. We have a really good relationship.”

The senior buddy program began two years ago and is one of many senior programs offered through the city, although it stands out from the rest in its purpose and implementation, says Christine Nardecchia, volunteer services administrator for the City of Dublin.

The program was originally inspired by local seniors who “just needed a hand every now and then,” says Patty Rinella, adult program supervisor and coordinator of senior services for the city. In Marilyn’s case, she has a supportive but busy family in the area and wasn’t looking for a full-time helper, Rinella says, but for someone to spend time with and provide occasional support.

Both Rinella and Nardecchia realized the potential for a new type of volunteer program, one that paired seniors with volunteers to forge friendships similar to “a Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, but in reverse,” Nardecchia says. After researching other community offerings, they saw nothing available for these generally active residents.

“These aren’t people who need any kind of care,” Nardecchia says. “There are no other programs for them. They fall through every crack.”

Rinella and Nardecchia both emphasize the program is not meant as a transportation system, but rather as a companionship program.

“We’re not in the business of transportation, but we are in the business of relationships,” Nardecchia says. “We thought, ‘We have this volunteer program, and we have this senior program – how can we make it match?’”

With a plan in place, Nardecchia and Rinella matched Marilyn with her buddy, a pairing that has been “amazingly successful,” Nardecchia says. Within a year, the pair has helped define what the buddy program can entail. According to Marilyn, some of the trips have included visits to the Franklin Park Conservatory, movie outings and weekly lunch dates, as well as the occasional doctor visit.

The lessons learned in the first year have been invaluable to shaping the program, Nardecchia says.

“They have taught us what this program can become,” she says. “We got together with them at the one-year anniversary, and what we learned is that you need an adult relationship when you get to that age, because your children tend to treat you like kids again.”

Not only is the program a successful one, but Nardecchia says it is also cost effective. There have been no associated costs other than the staff time it takes to organize.

Nardecchia and Rinella have been intentionally slow at expanding the program, adding two pairings to the roster this year. Volunteers who wish to participate must be 21 years old or older and go through an extensive criminal background check. Because they use their personal vehicles, they must also provide proof of insurance once a year.

The reactions from participants have shown it impacts both volunteers’ lives and the seniors’ lives.

“It’s made all the difference in the world,” Rinella says.

“I suspected that we would just hear the good stuff from the senior,” Nardecchia adds. “But we’re hearing from the volunteers about how much this has enriched their lives. The benefit in developing these multi-generational relationships is phenomenal.”

The program has made a huge difference in Marilyn’s life, she says, and she thinks it would in other senior’s lives, as well.

“It has worked out beautifully,” she says. “I couldn’t have stayed in my house if it wasn’t for my buddy. I tell her she’s like the daughter I never had. I don’t like to be dependent on my family, and I’ve always been pretty independent. It’s fun, and I think she enjoys it, too.”

Kate Seegraves is editor of Dublin Life.

BONUS:

If you’re interested in becoming a senior buddy, contact Patty Rinella at 614-410-4552 or via e-mail at .