Senior Center Without Walls Builds Community Over The Phone

Would you like to learn more about technology or storytelling? Do you enjoy jokes or bingo or mysteries? Think it would be fun to talk with others about food or current events or health issues?

An innovative program called Senior Center Without Walls connects older adults from around Northern California -- including many who are homebound or find it difficult to get to a community senior center -- entirely by phone.

Senior Center Without Walls offers friendly conversation and a range of activities, classes and support groups through telephone conference calls. The program is free of charge, and all calls are toll-free. No special equipment is required -- except for rotary dial phones, any telephone will work.

The non-profit program, which started in 2004, targets older adults who do not or cannot attend traditional senior centers or adult day programs, often because they are frail or disabled, unable to drive or have family caregiving responsibilities at home.

Senior Center Without Walls "offers community to people who in many cases are fairly isolated and find it hard to get out," said Terry Englehart, the program's founder and director. "The calls give people a social outlet and let them know that other people care about them and are thinking about them."

Englehart said participants look forward to their telephone sessions and prepare for group activities and classes. The program encourages participants to exchange phone numbers and build friendships once they get to know each other over the phone.

Participants are also encouraged to take on the role of group facilitator if they wish. "This helps build a sense of leadership and giving back," said Englehart. "It's great to see the ideas and excitement this generates."

Senior Center Without Walls has about 125 participants in its summer 2008 session. Most are in their 70s and 80s, and many learned about the Oakland-based program through word of mouth or through senior services agencies, according to Englehart. The non-denominational program is sponsored by Episcopal Senior Communities and St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Oakland, and it is funded by grants and private donations.

Senior Center Without Walls, modeled on a similar initiative in New York, is the first program of its kind in the West. In 2008, the program received a 2008 MindAlert award from the American Society on Aging for its work toward enhancing mental fitness among the general population of older adults.

Many studies have shown that regular social interaction can improve the mental and physical health of isolated older adults. One 2007 study by researchers from Western Oregon University found, for example, that helping older adults increase or maintain their social networks can lead to enhanced cognitive functioning, decreased depression and improved quality of life.

Those who wish to participate in Senior Center Without Walls can get started by registering over the phone. The toll-free registration number is (877) 797-7299.

After registering, you are given a special toll-free number to call at the times that your chosen group or activity is scheduled. A recorded voice will then prompt you to enter a code number, and you punch in a two-digit code. This connects you to the group conference call, allowing the group to talk to each other.

Activities and groups are organized into sessions that run for 12 weeks. There are three sessions per year, with five or six weeks between sessions. There is no deadline to register. You can sign up at any time, though some of the groups do fill up quickly.

Most group calls last for half an hour. There are usually between five and 10 people on a call, but some groups are smaller and a few might be larger. There is always a volunteer facilitator or group leader on the call to manage the discussion. The facilitator will ask who is on the line and make sure that everyone who wants to gets a chance to talk.

People with hearing limitations often participate in Senior Center Without Walls telephone activities using special phones that amplify sound. Call the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) at (800) 889-3974 to ask if one of their free amplified phones will work for you. CTAP also offers free adapted phones that can assist people with vision, speech and mobility difficulties.

For information or to register for this free telephone program, see http://seniorcenterwithoutwalls.org or call (877) 797-7299 toll free. For information about Episcopal Senior Communities, see http://www.jtm-esc.org. For information about St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Oakland, see http://www.stpaulsoakland.org.

(This article originally appeared in the Summer 2008 issue of Bay Area Summit)