When Paul and Lori Hogan founded Home Instead in 1994, their mission was simple: Help families care for their aging loved ones in the comfort of their own homes. Today, our company has a global network of more than 1,000 franchises dedicated to enhancing the lives of aging adults and their families.
What we’ve learned in the past 25+ years is that, while we may not be able to provide care for every aging adult, we can provide free resources to help families and inspire our communities to care more about seniors and senior-related causes. Through these initiatives, we are fearlessly creating today the world we want to grow older in tomorrow.
Over the years, we’ve given back to seniors and their families in many ways. Most recently, we’ve turned our attention to creating a kinder, more caring world for older adults who may be lonely. Right now, nearly 1 in 4 older seniors live in social isolation – a number that has undoubtedly risen in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Consider this: 36% of those 75+ are now reporting increased feelings of loneliness amid the pandemic – with many of those surveyed wishing their family members would just speak to them more often.
In August, we invited people across North America to become a pen pal and write to lonely or isolated seniors in need. Since launching our letter writing campaign, we’ve received more than 750 letters from people across the U.S. and Canada. Here’s an example of the kind messages we’ve gotten so far:
“Do not ever feel that you are alone in this world. We may not be connected physically, but we are spiritually. When you read this, I have already prayed for you. I hope that we can become friends through correspondence.” –Sandy
“I, too, live a life of solitude and for the most part I rather enjoy it. It’s nice to just sit back and relish in the calmness and serenity that each day brings. I am, however, cognizant of the fact that it is not healthy to spend all my time alone, so I am writing this letter to you so that perhaps you won’t feel alone.” –Jacqueline
“I want to make a difference to those around me in any way possible. I am tired of all the negativity in our world. I want people to know I care and for others to know they are not alone. Please know that someone is thinking about you and praying for you. You are valued and needed and a treasure to this world.” –Byron
Additional Ways We Give Back
The Home Instead Foundation - which supports a plethora of senior-related causes across North America -- has seen exponential growth this year, including a record-breaking GIVE65 fundraising event, distributing nearly $900,000 to seniors in need.
Be a Santa to a Senior, our holiday gift-giving program, has engaged more than 65,000 volunteers since 2003. These volunteers have helped distribute more than 2 million gifts to lonely and lower-income older adults.
Additionally, our paid service year program, Champions of Aging, has provided 4,000 hours of service and 570 hours of online curriculum to help educate the future workforce of America on aging issues.
We’re proud of our giving initiatives and ready to inspire more people to care about seniors and senior-related causes. We’re excited to have launched Ready to Care By Home Instead, our online community driven to make the world a better place for seniors.
Since the Ready to Care launch, a tribe of more than 14,500 caring individuals from across North America have signed up to receive inspiration, caregiving advice and care missions -- which encourage small acts of kindness for seniors in their communities – each week.
Become a Pen Pal
Will you join us in combating senior social isolation and loneliness? Getting started is simple. Go to www.ReadytoCare.com/PenPals and submit a letter through our online form. Our team will review and deliver your letter to a senior who’s waiting to hear from you. Especially during a particularly challenging year, your kind words matter. I hope you’ll join us by sending a letter today.
