Courtesy
I am frequently wowed by how connected our world is - you can push a button on your phone and have a quick video chat with someone across the world. I’m also stunned by the statistics that the Surgeon General published in his 2023 Advisory Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation. Did you know that loneliness can harm our health as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day? Fifteen cigarettes!
I was not surprised to learn that older adults are one of the groups experiencing the highest rates of social isolation, but I was shocked to learn that young adults are almost twice as likely to report feeling lonely than those over 65.
I am a member of Queen Anne Presbyterian Church, and we have been hosting a free lunch for senior citizens on Fridays since 1994. This Senior Gathering was started to help folks be connected, and the need remains. It’s a basic premise — provide a simple meal and an open door to join together for connection. While the church has organized it, there is no religious component nor is there proselytizing. The point is to be a welcoming place for all.
Of course, we had to stop meeting during COVID. Churches came back slowly after the pandemic, and in 2021 we had not yet revived the Senior Gathering when one of the participants knocked on the door of one of our members and asked if we could just open up the building on Fridays to gather. She said they were just so lonely. Of course, we said yes. We opened the doors and welcomed back a small group. We didn't provide lunch at first but just had people bring their own. People were so thankful.
Over the last year, we have put more energy into reimagining this gathering. In fact, we have been focused on centering the voices of the participants. The organizers, myself included, thought that the group might enjoy digital navigation services - that means having a person provide guidance in using technology. We were thinking the seniors could learn how to video call with their families and get groceries delivered. They were not interested! This was a good lesson in making sure we were designing the program with the seniors, not for them. Instead, having free foot care was a real priority. We had offered this in the past, and our seniors saw this as a wonderful service. Marilyn Severson, longtime volunteer and participant, reflects, “The monthly foot care provided is a terrific service. The nurses who participate are well-trained and friendly. They answer questions, and each time my feet feel wonderful!”
Additionally, as our church members pitched in and assisted in re-energizing the Senior Gathering, our young adults said they were also feeling isolated and were interested in intentional connection. We have set up a program called “Adopt a Young Adult” where we match young adults with an older adult church member, and they have coffee or a meal every quarter or so to get to know each other.
Our long term vision for the gathering is that it's not just for seniors. It's for folks who want to connect over a midday meal on Fridays. That might be people working from home, stay at home parents, people who are currently unemployed, seniors, etc. We are targeting seniors for now because we know they are an underserved population and they have been our focus since 1994. But we would like this gathering to be more intergenerational. We are located in a very residential part of Queen Anne, and I like to imagine parents pushing strollers or remote workers walking their dog at lunch popping in for a meal and conversation on a Friday.
I would love our community to focus on building a culture of belonging. What would that look like? Perhaps reading a common book and having discussions at the library, Queen Anne Book Company, and in people’s homes? I noticed the Ballard branch of the Seattle Public Library had Board Game Sunday earlier this month. What a great, simple way to connect with others and reduce isolation! I’d love to hear your ideas. In the meantime, please stop in on Fridays at 11:30 a.m. at 414 W Howe St. to join us for lunch. Email qapcseniorgathering@gmail.com if you have questions or ideas!