Nurturing Companionship: Volunteers Combat Solitude in Nursing Homes, One Relationship at a Time
In a heartwarming tale of dedication and compassion, Paul Falkowski, a volunteer extraordinaire, has spent the past four decades striving to bring joy and connection to elderly individuals residing in nursing homes.
Falkowski's journey began in Omaha, Nebraska, where he was stationed with the Air Force in 1986. His initial encounter with the need for volunteering in nursing homes came during a Christmas carol performance. Moved by the stories of loneliness and isolation he encountered, Falkowski decided to take action.
His volunteer work started modestly, as a fill-in choir director at a small Episcopal Church in Omaha. However, Falkowski's focus soon shifted from performing to connecting with individuals in nursing homes. Over the years, he visited around 170 nursing homes in and around Omaha, Nebraska, forming personal connections with residents and staff.
In 1994, Falkowski founded the nonprofit organisation Community 360, with a mission to recruit volunteers to visit seniors and match them with nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Volunteers were not given cookie cutter scripts, but encouraged to form personal connections with residents.
Falkowski's efforts were aimed at reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness among elderly people in nursing homes. His work has made a significant impact, as seen in the case of an artist who, after moving into a nursing home, rediscovered her passion for art due to a volunteer's encouragement.
As Falkowski and his wife moved to Philadelphia in 2019 to be closer to their grandchildren, he continued his work, expanding the volunteer network and getting more volunteers into more nursing homes. The COVID-19 pandemic served as a painful reminder for Falkowski of the negative impact of extreme social isolation on the health of nursing home residents.
Falkowski continues to advocate for more people to visit nursing homes and spend time with residents, believing that personal connections can make a world of difference in the lives of those living in these communities. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Falkowski remains committed to his mission, working tirelessly to bring joy and connection to those who need it most.
Paul Falkowski, in his work with Community 360, also embraces the field of mental health, fostering a health-and-wellness environment in nursing homes by providing personal connections that improve the mental health of residents. Falkowski's mission extends to the science of aging, as he aims to combat the negative effects of social isolation on the overall health and well-being of the elderly population.
