WOULD YOU LIKE TO TALK TO SOMEONE?
Our callers
Do you need someone to listen? Senior Help Line is a confidential listening service for older people by older people for the price of a local call anywhere in Ireland, LoCall 1850 440 444.
Senior Help Line is open every day from 10 am to 4 pm and 7 pm to 10 pm.
Older people call for many reasons. They may have a problem they want to talk over. They may live on your own, are housebound, or want some human contact. They may be bereaved and want to talk about a loved one no longer here. Some older people may have concerns about elder abuse, or have suicidal thoughts or tendencies - and many older people are lonely.
Senior Help Line had over 10,000 calls in 2008.
We listen to every call, help people discover how they are feeling and, if possible, help them explore what options, if any, they may have.
An external evaluation of Senior Help Line indicated that it is a much needed service, offering benefit to callers and volunteers alike. Many callers talk about how much better they feel for the contact. The volunteers also derive a sense of satisfaction and self-worth from doing something worthwhile.
Our volunteers
A unique aspect of the service is that our volunteers trained to listen on the help line are older people too. You will be talking to a man or a woman of approximately the same age as yourself. They will not have had your exact experiences, but, like you, they will already have been through many of the ups and downs of life and will understand many of your feelings, hopes and concerns.
One in every two callers to Senior Help Line is male. In a society where men can find it more difficult to reach out, it is gratifying to us that so many male callers trust us with their concerns.
Older in Ireland
A society like ours with a growing proportion of older offers both challenge and opportunity. The fact that greater numbers are reaching old age is a positive achievement, the result of improved living conditions and medical advances. However, there are challenges too.
The need for a service like Senior Help Line highlights the changes in the fabric of Irish society over the last 30 years. The pace of life has changed and people don't always have as much time for each other as they used to. This leaves some older people feeling left behind and alone.
We Need You
Senior Help Line is an expanding service and constantly on the look out for volunteers to train for the help line or to help us with fund-raising or promotion. If you are interested, contact Senior Help Line, Third Age Foundation, Summerhill, Co Meath, telephone 046-9557766. Or log on to our web site at www.seniorhelpline.ie to find out more about us.
But above all, if you would like to phone the help line with a worry, a query, a question or a concern, don’t hesitate. We look forward to hearing from you.
Remember the number 1850 440 444.
