Volunteers combat isolation in nursing homes, forming bonds one interaction at a time
In a heartwarming tale of dedication and compassion, Paul Falkowski, a former choir director, has been inspiring change in nursing homes across the United States for nearly four decades.
Falkowski's journey began in 1986 when he was a fill-in choir director at a small Episcopal Church in Omaha, Nebraska. During a Christmas carol performance at a local nursing home, he was moved by the residents' enthusiasm and the poignant silence that followed when the music ended. This experience sparked a desire in Falkowski to visit more nursing homes and provide companionship to the elderly residents.
Falkowski's goal was clear: to reduce feelings of isolation among elderly residents in nursing homes. In 1994, he founded a nonprofit organisation named Community 360, with the mission to recruit volunteers to visit seniors and match them with nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Community 360's approach is unique. It prioritises personal connections, with volunteers engaging in one-on-one visits, rather than using cookie-cutter scripts. This emphasis on individual connections has proven to be beneficial, as Falkowski discovered that the elderly residents needed more than just performances.
Volunteer programs like Community 360 can positively impact the mental health and well-being of elderly individuals in nursing homes. Through regular visits and empathetic interactions, volunteers provide social engagement, emotional support, and opportunities for meaningful activities. These interactions help reduce feelings of loneliness, depression, and isolation, thereby enhancing the overall psychological well-being of the residents.
Research shows that such interventions in nursing homes contribute to better psychological well-being outcomes, including decreased pain perception and improved mood. Key positive effects include improved social interaction, emotional support, and cognitive stimulation through purposeful engagement.
Falkowski's volunteer work in nursing homes has led to the rediscovery of hobbies and talents among residents. One inspiring example is an artist who started painting again, thanks to the encouragement and support from a Community 360 volunteer.
As the COVID-19 pandemic served as a painful reminder of the negative impact of loneliness on the health of nursing home residents, Falkowski has been advocating to expand the volunteer network and get more volunteers into more nursing homes. He considers volunteers as essential, not just nice to have, for the quality of care in nursing homes.
Falkowski continues to work to inspire people to volunteer in nursing homes and to convince policymakers of the necessity of volunteers for the quality of care. After nearly 40 years of organising volunteers in Omaha, Falkowski and his wife moved to Philadelphia in 2019 to be closer to their grandchildren. Over the years, Falkowski visited around 170 nursing homes in and around Omaha.
Today, Falkowski is the president and founder of the National Association of Long-Term Care Volunteers, continuing his mission to improve the lives of elderly individuals in nursing homes through social connection and supportive interaction. Through his tireless efforts, Falkowski is making a significant difference in the mental health and quality of life for elderly individuals living in nursing home settings.
The unique approach of Community 360, focusing on individual connections instead of generic scripts, has been shown to improve the mental health and well-being of elderly residents in nursing homes by offering social engagement, emotional support, and opportunities for meaningful activities. In addition, Falkowski's work in advocating for more long-term care volunteers and his founding of the National Association of Long-Term Care Volunteers strives to bolster mental health in these facilities and enhance the quality of life for elderly individuals residing there.
