AID Senior Sunshine Program offers check-in calls for seniors with mental health concerns

Since last November, the Association for Individual Development has offered free scheduled “check-in” calls to individuals age 60 and older as part of the Senior Sunshine Program.

These scheduled phone calls assist individuals with mental health concerns such as anxiety or depression.

A clinical diagnosis is not required to participate in this program.

The Senior Sunshine program helps seniors feel less isolated and assists them in finding appropriate community mental health and medical services.

The Senior Sunshine program is a subset of the already established and long-running Sunshine Program and the AID Crisis Line of the Fox Valley.

Recent internal survey results have shown a high satisfaction rate among participants in these programs.

Karen, one of the first participants in the Senior Sunshine Program, shared her thoughts on the service, “In some of my lowest moments, they are always there. They have been a lifeline to me and they are all so nice. Everybody is aware of who I am and what is going on. I really enjoy (these) phone calls. They help bring meaning and sometimes guidance. I live by myself and it is hard when no one is around, and the sunshine people are always there. It makes me feel like I'm not alone.”

Karen's story exemplifies the struggles that many participants in the Senior Sunshine Program are currently experiencing.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, this feeling of social isolation is becoming increasingly overwhelming in the senior citizen population.

AID and the Senior Sunshine Program provides clients with as much support as possible in this difficult time.

For information or to refer a potential participant, contact Ashley Costello, Senior Sunshine program lead, at (630) 966-4334 or acostello@aidcares.org or Cheryl Brown, Crisis Line Manager, at (630) 966-4304 or cbrown@aidcares.org.

Learn more about AID programs and services by visiting www.AIDcares.org.