The author of the article is Joanna Zaremba, a journalist at Gazeta.pl.
The Association of Little Brothers of the Poor has just launched the campaign "What Difference Does It Make?" aimed at drawing public attention to the problem of loneliness among seniors. Currently, volunteers from the Association regularly visit and support elderly, lonely individuals in cities such as Warsaw, Pruszków, Legionowo, Łódź, Pabianice, Lublin, Świdnik, Kraków, Toruń, Tarnów, Poznań, Gniezno, Wrocław, and Wałbrzych.
Polish Seniors Suffer in Loneliness. They Have No One to Talk To
Many elderly people are simply condemned to loneliness for various reasons: the death of loved ones, friends, or adult children moving far away, even to other countries. Additionally, these people often become invisible to society. Władysław Rybiński, a volunteer from the Association of Little Brothers of the Poor, knows this well. He regularly visits 98-year-old Ms. Ula, who lives in a Social Welfare Home.
She doesn't have much family. Her niece visits her in her free time, but her sister recently passed away. Ms. Ula is lonely. While the staff at the nursing home care for her, she has no friends, no companionship
- he tells Kobieta.gazeta.pl.
When he visits, they simply sit and talk, which is what Ms. Ula needs most: a smile, an exchange of words and ideas, someone to listen to her. Simple interaction with another person who cares about what she has to say. "Ms. Ula is grieving the loss of her sister and has no one to talk to about it. Imagine how hard it must be to not have anyone to share something so important with" - the volunteer emphasizes.
"There Are No Young People Who Want to Hear Her Stories"
Another issue is the world of memories that she has no one to share with. There's no one around who remembers that world, no childhood friends who could recall anything from pre-war Toruń. She simply has no conversational partners. And there aren't even young people who want to hear her stories
- says Mr. Władysław. He adds that regardless of whether we get used to living alone, every one of us has the need to be listened to by another person - someone who looks at us and reacts to what we're saying.
According to Mr. Władysław, the problem of loneliness among seniors is worsening. As we talk, he is preparing to visit Mr. Waldek, a 70-year-old man who lives alone with three cats.
"Mr. Waldek Has No Legs and Lives in a Building Without an Elevator"
Mr. Waldek has no legs and lives in a building without an elevator. Of course, he can call someone and talk, but his interactions are minimal. When I walk through the city, I think about the hundreds of older people living in these blocks who are very lonely. Perhaps their children have grown up and moved away for work, and they no longer have friends
- he lists. "I wish we would pay more attention to this every day and awaken our sensitivity to their situations. We need to start noticing one another" - Mr. Władysław concludes.
"After Surviving Three Concentration Camps, She Hasn't Lost Her Joy for Life"
The Association of Little Brothers of the Poor also shares the story of Ms. Barbara from Warsaw. After the death of her beloved husband, Julek, the senior could not cope with the emptiness in her home. "She was married for 52 years, and it was difficult for her to get used to the fact that only silence greeted her in her own four walls. Meeting Anna, a volunteer from the same neighborhood, helped her accept her new reality and brought color back into her life" - reads a press release from the Association.
Ms. Barbara and Anna not only meet once a week but also participate in the Association's events, such as "One Day Vacations". Ms. Barbara believes her new friend is beautiful and a wonderful person. Volunteer Anna, who has been visiting Ms. Barbara for over a year, is still amazed by her optimism and zest for life.
It's remarkable that after surviving three concentration camps, Ms. Barbara hasn't lost her joy for life. She still wants to learn new things, meet people, and savor life. I help her with that, and she makes delicious tea, supports my passion for tennis, and encourages me to become a model
- says volunteer Anna, as quoted in the press material sent to our editorial office.
Loneliness is a Civilization Disease. How to Support Lonely Seniors?
The Association of Little Brothers of the Poor points out that loneliness is a disease of the 21st century, and many seniors cannot protect themselves from it, often due to factors beyond their control. This is why regular, ongoing contact with another person is so important. Volunteers provide this through the "Presence" program, which focuses on building relationships through consistent and supportive contact between volunteers and seniors. The main goal is to give seniors time and attention.
Small gestures, like being with another person or sharing a cup of tea, make lonely older people feel important and needed. Although it may seem like a small difference, having someone to talk to, celebrate birthdays with, reminisce, and go for walks with is invaluable for seniors
- notes Daria Michalik from the Association of Little Brothers of the Poor, as quoted in the press release.
"The 'Presence' program responds to one of the greatest epidemics of this century: loneliness. Older people desperately need attention, to be listened to, and the presence of another human being - something our volunteers witness daily" - explains Joanna Mielczarek, director of the Association. She adds, "Sometimes, it really doesn't take much to bring color back into life. The goal of the program and the volunteers is not to completely change the senior's habits or make them a Hollywood-style hero who lives wildly. It's simply about presence and connection".
