For many people who have outlived their friends and family, their final years can be lonesome. Lilia Luciano reports on companionship programs aiming to change that.

Many elderly people experience significant loneliness in their later years, especially after losing friends and family. Companionship programs, such as those in New Orleans and through non-profits like DeRote, connect volunteers with older adults to provide much-needed social interaction. Research indicates that social isolation among seniors increases the risk of serious health issues, including dementia and heart disease.

Despite the positive impact of these programs, there are concerns about their future due to possible reductions in federal funding. Program leaders warn that funding cuts could force closures, limiting support for isolated seniors and potentially increasing institutionalization rates. Advocates are working to protect funding and ensure continued support for vulnerable older adults.

Fighting elderly loneliness

The tragedy at the assisted living facility in Massachusetts got us thinking about the elderly and the challenges they face. Many spend their final years in loneliness as they outlive friends and family. Lily Luciano has tonight's Eye on America. This is your final notice. While they're not related, Dorothy Williams provides 90-year-old Lars Williams with something critically important. Companionship. What do you think it would be like without this company for him? Well, I think it would be a slow pace. For almost 20 years, Dorothy has volunteered at a companionship program in New Orleans, warding off loneliness in the homes of elderly residents living alone. Look at those shoulders. How good were you? Mr. Williams wouldn't say he needs the company. I ain't lonely. You're not lonely? No, I ain't lonely. Sure is welcome. So it's good to have folks coming here. Yeah, I like live people, you know. You need people around you. Studies show social isolation significantly increases the risk of dementia, heart disease, depression, strokes, and premature death. Topping the charts for highest risk of social isolation among older adults, along with Louisiana, are Mississippi, New Mexico, Kentucky, and New York. Where teenagers Elizabeth Gerber and Mabinti Dekeet spend their afternoons building bridges across generations. As part of DeRote, a non-profit companionship program connecting teens with older adults. It's so easy to just like scroll on your phone for hours and kind of not realize that you might be in a room with a bunch of people, yet you're not discussing anything. And what initially appealed to you? Why did you think it was interesting? What popped up? And I realized that I actually have a lot of similar hobbies with them. Andrew McPherson leads the Foundation for Social Connection. It is concerning for how we're going to continue to support our seniors who are isolated and lonely in this country. He warns that the recently passed tax and spending package could slash federal funding for social programs, jeopardizing vital companionship, meal delivery, and health monitoring services for isolated older adults. Our goal is to protect that funding and to protect those models that do deliver supportive services. Back in New Orleans, companionship program director Elizabeth Blackwell says she worries that she could lose almost $300,000 in federal funding and be forced to shut the program down. Institutionalization will be overcrowded, so debts will increase. It's just, it's not where we want to be as human beings. Which could impact visits to those who need them most, including Mr. Williams. See, that's why you're so happy. You're hanging. You got to hang to stay alive, you know. Wise words to live by. For Eye on America, I'm Lilia Luciano in New Orleans.

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